If you're thinking about redoing your kitchen or bathroom countertop, a showroom full of colorful options can make you feel like a kid in a candy store -- overwhelmed.

With all the choices, it can be difficult to figure out what you want. Here's a guide to make your decision easier:

Imagine what colors and designs would look best in your home. Consider your existing furniture arrangement, wall color, lighting and overall atmosphere when picturing your upgrade.

Next, assess your needs. Most people who upgrade their countertops also purchase sinks, faucets, backsplashes and sometimes cabinets. Before creating a plan, decide if you need any additional upgrades to complement your new countertops. View your kitchen and home as a whole. This will help you get an idea of what you want and need. Remodeling should never be a rushed task, so creating a vision can take time.

"Upgrading your countertops is like buying a car," said Dan Braswell, owner of Granite Transformations. "People demand accountability in the products in which they invest thousands of dollars."

Like looking for new cars, customers should search the most credible publications, websites and businesses for guidance. Ask your friends, spouse or children what they think might look best. 

Kelli Crelly, whose family has owned Cape Fear Marble & Tile since 1995, said people seem to follow trends from television and magazines. So far, Crelly said white and gray countertops have been the hottest choices of 2017. 

Laminate: In most cases, people who upgrade are often replacing their existing laminate countertops. Laminate countertops are plastic and scratchable, but they do serve as a cost-effective alternative to other surfaces. Laminates are fairly durable and available in color schemes that resemble marble or granite for customers looking for a standard alternative that won't break the bank. 

Quartz: Originating in Italy in the 1980s, quartz composites are engineered with about 5 percent color and resin used to bind, strengthen and permanently seal the surface. As a result, quartz countertops are nonporous and resistant to bacteria, scratches and stains. Most popular in gray, brown and cream colors, quartz countertops often include glass or metallic flakes for aesthetic appeal. Because it is manufactured, quartz is flexible, diverse, expensive and durable, but it is less resistant to heat than tile, glass or granite. Braswell said that their quartz composites are resistant to scratches, stains and burns, but are not indestructible.

Granite: Granite is an igneous rock formed by cooling magma known for its natural coloring induced by minerals like quartz and mica. Granite slabs are unique and cannot be manufactured in consistent color themes like quartz composites are. Because granite tops are 100 percent natural stone, they must be sealed to reduce risks of stains and bacteria. CounterTopGuides.com said most granite tops are installed with seals lasting five years until new sealing is recommended. Granite is long lasting, durable and resistant to heat.

Marble: Like granite, marble slabs are distinct natural stones. Marble is renowned for its spectrum of colors and veining, but it is a soft stone that is porous and requires a new seal each year. Marble is a classic stone that has been used for centuries, but it may not be the most convenient kitchen countertop surface. Crelly said marble is just plain high maintenance.  

Recycled glass: Recycled glass countertops are eye-catching, but can be pricey. Recycled glass is eco-friendly, nonporous and one-of-a-kind. For customers willing to pay extra for creative charm, recycled glass is great for countertops, backsplashes and decorative tiles of many colors and designs.

Over half a dozen businesses offer countertop upgrades in Wilmington.

Braswell, who has been the Wilmington branch owner of Granite Transformations since opening in 2008, offers demolition-free countertops made to go over your existing countertop in a short, one-day installation.

Crelly said that most projects take about three weeks to complete from template planning to home installation.

Before making any final decisions, it is wise to view all options and get quotes from several remodelers in the area.