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 •
