User-friendly countertops not
only look good, they're also easy to
work on and care for. You can
satisfy the first requirement by
using a material the homeowner
likes and by doing a good job
installing it. But a countertop that
works well should include the
following:
• A dripless edge or raised lip at
the front and sides of the
counter that prevents liquid and
crumbs from running over the
edges
• An under-mount or flush-set
sink that lets the user sweep
scraps and water into the sink
with a sponge
• Side splashes at the closed ends
of counter runs, where a counter
stops against a wall, pantry, or
refrigerator cabinet
• A coved transition to the backsplash
to eliminate hard-to-clean
square corners
•