Have you thought of doing butcher block countertop for the island and then laminate on the perimeter? Or Butcher block on all of it possibly even. It is a lower cost option that can look great.

Of the two laminate options you mentioned, I prefer the look of the first one.

I recommend solid (textured) black. Also, and this is probably the most important part: Do not get an integrated backsplash!! Just get FLAT pieces.

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

Junk*Salvation - where should I look for butcher block? I'm in Canada - is Home Depot a good source? We have a lot of wood going on already in the space so I wasn't sure it would be best.

crcollins1_gw - Which laminate patterns / solids do you recommend? This is the place I might order them > https://www.nationalcountertops.ca/in-stock The cabinets are white with a slight pink undertone (that I would like to minimize). The knobs will be simple silver tab style ones.

Sammy - I worry a bit about the black being too dark. Would there be a good grey option?

Thanks again!

How about the Ikea countertops? For a cabin I think wood would look good.Looks like they used gray counter tops here - maybe the Ikea laminate gray ones?

Thanks! What do you think of this one from ikea > https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/p/saeljan-countertop-light-gray-mineral-effect-laminate-40397211/ It doesn't look like stone - but does it look right for a cabin? We will have stainless appliances (24" small size).

The challenge I have is the island is 36" x 62" and they don't make any laminate countertops that size. I could use butcher block on the island and the counter along the wall could be an Ikea laminate.

I think you just found your solution. I like that one! And, butcherblock on the island.

Also, the butcherblock I have in my home came from either Home Depot or Lowe's (can't honestly remember at the moment without tracking it down in my spreadsheet). However, mine is in the laundry room so I can't attest to how their brand will hold up in a kitchen. I do love mine in the laundry space though! I just rubbed it down a couple times with mineral oil. I think you can sand it smoother even before oiling it if necessary. Might want to ask a few others who have had it in their kitchens to see where they recommend. Ikea might even sell them there as well.

Thanks so much. Is birch the best wood to choose?

Something like this? https://www.homedepot.ca/product/hardwood-reflections-74inx39inx1-5in-wood-butcher-block-countertop-in-unfinished-birch/1001112364 It gets fairly good reviews.

Hi, I note you are in Canada. I don't know if this will work for you but if you are in the Toronto area, here is a place that makes butcher block, they have different wood species and they have premade sizes. Knotty's just west of the 427 and Dundas in Mississauga. I haven't bought from them but I've visited and was very impressed.

As for laminate....I'm impressed by laminate these days and I think it is a great choice in the right setting. I've seen the 3690-58 Basalt Slate before and I think it is really nice. Maybe 4779-60 Pewter Brush too, but you'd need to see a large piece to decide if it has too much going on. And as Sammy said above, go with flat pieces, no integrated backsplash. I think it will look great.

I think a butcher block island with a darker stain colour along with the Slate looking perimeter on white cabinets will look fantastic with the other choices you've described in your cabin.

We'll look forward to seeing some pictures.

My dad used the Home Depot butcher block for his island. We’re very impressed with it. He did stain it very lightly, then sealed. I’ll try to get a picture this weekend. One side was very smooth and perfect, the other shows cool knots and such — we put the knot side up for interest.

I highly recommend it.

Use butcher block instead, on the island and use quartz on the perimeter only. Consider the price delta between both option in materials and weigh that against the length of time you will OWN THE RESULT.

Nobody really wants laminate, so consider the resale with that in mind as well.

I don't agree that nobody really wants laminate. I chose it for my last kitchen in a 1965 house where I wanted a certain look. I really don't like granite or quartz, but that's not the point here.

I like the contrast of the grey with white cabinets, but I wouldn't go too dark since you have so much wood. I'd probably stick with same surface for everything since its so small a space. I'd love to see pics!

@Chris: Have you ordered samples from Formica? You can order as many as you want and they’ll arrive quickly!

3690-34 Basalt Slate/Scovato Finish

515-58 Graphite Grafix/Matte Finish

299-58 Ebony Oxide/Matte Finish

Of these, my pick would be the Basalt Slate.

There are so many color selections in laminate. And laminate looks really good, just not like quartz or stone. I would agree with not getting the integrated backsplash. I would also get a pencil edge. Be aware that the pencil edge isn’t available in some of the whites. They have trouble fabricating the pencil edge in a couple of whites.

Have you considered looking in your area for places that sell countertop remnants, seconds, etc? We found a place that had a surprising inventory of countertops removed from high end builds that were very reasonable. Some had minor flaws, but others were perfect. We were looking for our bathroom, but they also had many bigger pieces. You might be able to find something you like for your island and put laminate on the counter.

Definitely do NOT get the 4" laminate "backsplash".

We put Formica Basalt Slate on the perimeter of our new house kitchen two years ago, on purpose : ) , and I love it, but it *is* quite dark. What sort of natural light do you have in the room?

Unless you plan to install yourself (and/or buy stock pre-made slabs), custom laminate isn't that much less money than stone/quartz. At least here in my area. I haven't sold a laminate top in MANY years....yes, lots of folks come in wanting laminate for budget reasons, but every one of them switches to granite or quartz once they get the pricing for all three! Also my granite supplier offers remnants and discounted material that can really help the price.

I think the price difference between laminate and other products varies according to your geographic area. In our area made to order is an economical choice if you can install it yourself. Or your contractor installing it. But I am aware that some areas of the country don’t even have fabricators for laminate. Maine actually only has 1 laminate fabricator for the entire state. But they do cover the ENTIRE state.

Thanks for all the replies. I really appreciate the good advice.

The cabin is located about 3 hours away from Toronto (Canada). There are a couple of independent building stores a 40 minute drive away - so access to building materials is a bit hard and more expensive.

I got a couple of quotes on quartz from up there in the $5-6K range. Laminate (a higher grade) was $985. There are very limited options / businesses so the prices are high.

I can buy quartz for less, closer to home ($2K maybe), but need to measure myself and transport it up there - likely in a rental minivan without kids in the backseat. So the logistics are a bit more challenging (and the gas + rental is an extra cost).

I think we'll likely go with the suggestion to use butcher block on the island ($428 for birch at Home Depot with free delivery) and add a laminate counter ($80) to our Ikea order. We may upgrade to quartz in the future.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Hi @Chris - can you share photos? Thinking of doing a similar countertop for our new build

Hi Meg S....this is an old thread but I got a notification because I had commented earlier. Are you also in Canada? In the Toronto area? If so, then I can recommend Latitude Countertops which is located in Toronto but will come and measure and deliver to areas outside of the city. They did our counters and we are on an island near Bracebridge. Fabulous service and I would highly recommend their work. We went with Silestone quartz - the edges and seams are fantastic. I was very impressed. They worked through our kitchen cupboard supplier but I'm sure they likely offer the service on their own as well. Prices comparable to what I'd seen in Toronto and of course added charges for travel but well worth it. Ours had to come over on a barge etc so that added to the time/expense.