This stone worktop is great for contemporary kitchens. The sparkly blue and black stone works well with simple schemes. Granite kitchen worktop in Blue Pearl, from £287, Offspec Stone

This versatile granite worktop would suit both classic and contemporary kitchens. The touches of green would work well with glossy green tiles. Granite worktop in Verde Marinace, from £405, Second Nature

This pale stone worktop would work well in a small kitchen, keeping the space feeling light. It has texture and character, but a smooth finish. Limestone worktop in Ivory Stone, from £392, LimeStone Gallery.

Sealed in the factory to make it more resistant to acidic food, such as lemons and limes, as well as chemical cleaners, this worktop is ideal for busy kitchens. Slate worktop in Rio Verde, from £144, Kirkstone.

This kitchen worktop is one of the least porous slates, so it’s less susceptible to stains. Any fine scratches can easily be polished out with an after-care kit. Slate worktop in Heather Blue, from £300, Cerrig.

The soft tones and variations of colour in this worktop go well with wood finishes, especially natural oak. Marble worktop in Marron Brown, from £130, Goodwood Bathrooms.

Made from 50% recycled glass, this kitchen worktop is great if you want to do your bit for the environment and get a lasting finish that doesn’t need sealing. Composite stone worktop in Earth Brown, from £300, Zodiaq.

This worktop can bend around corners and up walls and go from super-thin to thick, with seamless joins. Solid surface acrylic in Festival, from £300, Corian.