The woes of choosing laminates!
Ok to be honest, choosing laminates for our upcoming home could’ve been easier because our ID actually shortlisted three laminates for us to choose during our meeting…but my backside itchy went on to search for 7 more options hehe….
The theme is really something minimalist & clean, not too creamy nor too cold. At the same time, we wanted something that is easy to maintain as well (eg: no need to wipe down finger oil stains daily lol) so glossy texture is definitely out~ Also, as much as possible we want the tone of the entire house to be similar rather than having different tones for each section (weird but yes.)
Eventually we shortlisted the laminates down to 3 again (with our ID reco inside as well..why did we bother to choose 7 more in the first place?!):
1. Panaplast White Chocolate (ID’s recommendation)
2. Lamitak Beige Linen (common choice!)
3. Lamitak Salt Microcement (popular choice recently)
Then from these 3, we tried to see their colours and texture under different lightings, how easy the oil stain is spotted (important for kitchen laminates!!), how they match with our theme, paint colours, tabletop etc….
Took us like almost 2-3 weeks to finally come to a decision…..we decided to go with White Chocolate (rest of the house) and Beige Linen (kitchen). Reason being for choosing Beige Linen for kitchen - it’s slightly warmer compared to White Chocolate, so oil stain is less visible in areas like kitchen when it is more prone to oil stain. If you believe in FS, it’s believed that warmer tones are more suitable for kitchen too lol..
Of course, no doubt we wanted to go with salt microcement initially due to the texture and classy look…but then again when we visualised it to our theme, unfortunately it didn’t really match because the “clean look” is somehow missing. Just our opinion, don’t flame us!
Maybe I’ll share how our choices eventually turn out in the next post!
In my laminate selection process, I leaned heavily on the subtle differences in texture and stain resistance between popular options—especially Lamitak Beige Linen and Salt Microcement. Beige Linen’s smooth matte finish is not only stylish but also practical; oil stains are less visible here than on glossier surfaces, reducing daily maintenance hassle, which is a huge plus in busy kitchens. Salt Microcement’s grainy texture caught my eye initially for its modern, classy look and the promise that it doesn’t trap oil stains easily. However, I found that over time it could accumulate dirt in the crevices, which might require more careful cleaning routines—something to consider if low upkeep is a priority. What’s interesting is how lighting conditions affect the appearance of these laminates. White Chocolate from Panaplast has a smooth matte texture that can sometimes reveal oil marks under certain angles, but it’s very easy to wipe down. This laminate complemented our home’s minimalist theme without overpowering it. For anyone embarking on a similar renovation journey, I recommend ordering samples and observing how they look in your actual space under different lighting at various times of day. Also, consider how the laminate tone coordinates with other elements like paint and tabletops to maintain a cohesive feel throughout your home. My personal experience confirms that selecting laminates isn’t just about aesthetics; maintenance and compatibility with everyday use matter just as much. Hopefully, these insights help you make an informed choice that you'll be happy with for years!