One thing I’ve learned watching renovations (and doing a few myself) is that materials can fool you. A countertop might look amazing on day one, only to stain, scratch, or chip after a single busy holiday. The trick isn’t asking, “Does this look nice?” It’s asking, “How will this look in five years?”
For kitchens, quartz often wins that test. It handles spills, heat, and sharp knives better than many natural stones. Granite is still great, but it needs sealing. Marble is beautiful, but only if you’re willing to baby it. Decide honestly how you live not how you wish you lived.
Flooring is another area where durability matters more than trends. Luxury vinyl plank surprised me. I was skeptical at first, but it handles water, pets, and drops better than many hardwoods. If you want real wood, engineered hardwood is often more stable than solid planks in humid or changing climates.
Bathrooms are all about moisture. Cheap drywall behind tile is a mistake people pay for twice. Cement board or waterproof backer systems are worth the upgrade because mold remediation is far more expensive than doing it right upfront.
Finally, think beyond just “hard surfaces.” Paint quality matters. Cheap paint takes more coats and scuffs easily. Good paint saves time, sanity, and long-term touch-up costs.
Bottom line: choose materials for the life you actually live kids, pets, guests, spills, and all. Beauty is important, but resilience is what makes a renovation feel like a success years later.
