Rich textures, softened edges, and affordable options make up today's selection of countertops.

Whether you're designing your kitchen of putting in a new bathroom, the counters you choose will certainly influence the look of the space. Today, your options range from natural surfaces, like butcher block, marble, granite, soapstone, and limestone to man-made products, such as laminates, solid surfacing, and acrylics. Then, there are also composite materials which include solid surfacing made with imbedded stone. And don't forget about the latest looks - stainless steel and concrete counters.

Here we've gathered a sampling of what's available.

1. Made from 93 percent quartz, engineered-stone countertops resist staining and scratching better than virtually any other countertop material and require no maintenance. Orange Fuego, pictured here, is one of the 35 unique and sophisticated colors available. Silestone.

2. With the look of granite but little of the upkeep, quartz surfacing shimmers and sparkles. Also, notice the soothing curved shape, which is another advantage of this product. Cambria.

3. A tried-and-true favorite, laminate countertops still offer easy upkeep at a great value. The latest patterns and colors, however, are as chic and eye-catching as their pricier counterparts. Shown here is Perlato Granite. Formica.

4. From the Empire Series, these elegant tiles look like marble but are actually durable porcelain stone. Now available in large 14-by-28-inch tiles, they are ideal for countertops. Crossville Porcelain Stone.

5. Durable and easy-to-maintain, a solid-surfacing countertop, shown here in Aspen Amber, can be sanded to erase stains. Because the material is so strong, it can even serve as a cutting board. The rare scratch can also be sanded out. Staron.

6. Want great looks and no-fuss cleanup? Opt for an integrated solid-surfacing sink and counter. The countertop shown here is Sahara; the sink Cameo White. Corian.

7. Like the cool, up-to-date look of concrete countertops but not the hefty price tag? Counters poured on site - like the one pictured - are far more affordable than those that are crafted in a factory and then shipped to the site in slabs. Quikrete.