Top Trends in Countertop Materials
Top Trends in Countertop Materials
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Sunflower granite counters, above, are wrapped around the island with Sovereign Copper granite on the cooktop counter and custom granite table.
Granite is a truly amazing material. Granite is notable for it’s strength and beauty. Granite is one of the hardest substances in the world; the only thing harder than granite is diamonds. As well as resistant to scratching, granite is also resistant to heat and is very easy to clean with mild soap and water.
Granite is found all over the world and is one of the most common minerals that can be found in the earth. Because of the variance in mineral composition of each piece, every slab of granite is unique. Granite also comes in many different colors.
See more of our favorite granite countertops in our Great Kitchens portfolio.
Lighter-colored granite is available and, unlike marble, it is denser, stronger, and doesn’t stain as easily. The difference between granite and marble is in its veining. Marble countertops will typically be seen with more veining and fewer variations in texture and color. The granite shown above is an imported granite called Bianco Cochoreio.
These are Absolute Black granite counters in a matte leather finish. They turned out beautiful and everyone who saw this house during the Parade of Homes could not believe it was granite. It is lightly textured and falls in between a matte and polished finish.
Kelly Hoppen Interiors, London, England
Silestone is by far the best-looking man-made quartz option that looks like Carrara or Calcutta marble without all the cons of using marble in the kitchen. It is so convincing that it can be placed next to a natural Carrara backsplash and blend beautifully. Other quartz composite options include Caesarstone and HanStone.
3452 Red Shimmer from the Classico Collection by Caesarstone. Picture from 3rings feature on media.designerpages.com.
A bright pop of color on an island counter gives this kitchen an infusion of red. In choosing solid colors, look for ones with a little bit of shimmer or texture to help hide dust and watermarks.
This dark walnut wood island counter gives a wonderful contrast to the all-white kitchen. Select application carefully as wood counters may require more maintenance.
Wood can also be used in smaller sections as a butcher block for cutting and prepping food or even as a table extension off of the kitchen island. A round wood table extension provides a more traditional breakfast table appeal for those who prefer to sit around a table and at the traditional table height.
Concrete counters come in a variety of colors and can be formed into different shapes or made with integral sinks. You can even embed things such as glass or fossils in it to make it your own.
PaperStone is a sustainable composite material made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, phenolic resins and natural pigments. It develops its own patina as it ages. We have not used this product but would be interested to know if you have used it and how it has performed.
How about agate or semi-precious stones? Backlit Natural Agate on the bar portion of this island create a focal point in this unique yet contemporary kitchen. In bathrooms, we have also used a backlit Onyx. While it’s a softer material, it is appropriate for bathrooms and is beautiful when backlit or underlit.
It is nice to have so many options and choices in countertops. They’ve become a way to add to the decor and enhance the look of any space.
This post on top trends in countertop materials pairs with our deep-dive on 2026 interior design ideas shaping luxury custom homes. For the architectural styles framework, see our catalog of luxury home design styles in Austin. For the regional luxury market context, see our guide to luxury homes in Texas.
Trendy Countertops
There are some exciting new trends in countertops, giving us many ways to achieve different looks and accomplish the design goals of the project. In all countertops, functionality and beauty are both important. Here we look specifically at the function, performance, and look of some of the hottest new trends.Dekton
Dekton is a revolutionary new product that is stronger with a thinner profile than any other countertop in the marketplace. It comes in a number of exciting new colors and looks to create unique spaces. Due to its strength, it is one of the few man-made countertop materials that will withstand the outdoor elements of an outdoor kitchen. Plus, the colors and options vary from extremely rustic to very elegant.
Granite
Granite is still being widely used for its strength, durability, low maintenance, and natural beauty. As a natural product, nothing can compare. No two products are alike, and it comes in a variety of colors and movement. The waterfall edge, shown below, displays the unique characteristics of the granite while maintaining the clean mitered edges of the modern look.
Sunflower granite counters, above, are wrapped around the island with Sovereign Copper granite on the cooktop counter and custom granite table.
Granite is a truly amazing material. Granite is notable for it’s strength and beauty. Granite is one of the hardest substances in the world; the only thing harder than granite is diamonds. As well as resistant to scratching, granite is also resistant to heat and is very easy to clean with mild soap and water.
Granite is found all over the world and is one of the most common minerals that can be found in the earth. Because of the variance in mineral composition of each piece, every slab of granite is unique. Granite also comes in many different colors.
See more of our favorite granite countertops in our Great Kitchens portfolio.
Lighter-colored granite is available and, unlike marble, it is denser, stronger, and doesn’t stain as easily. The difference between granite and marble is in its veining. Marble countertops will typically be seen with more veining and fewer variations in texture and color. The granite shown above is an imported granite called Bianco Cochoreio.
These are Absolute Black granite counters in a matte leather finish. They turned out beautiful and everyone who saw this house during the Parade of Homes could not believe it was granite. It is lightly textured and falls in between a matte and polished finish.
Glass
Glass counters for the island keep this kitchen sleek and clean. Glass can also be back-painted for a pop of color on a counter or backsplash. A new thought in design is to use glass and insert a computer or other media device under the glass.
Kelly Hoppen Interiors, London, England
Silestone
Silestone is by far the best-looking man-made quartz option that looks like Carrara or Calcutta marble without all the cons of using marble in the kitchen. It is so convincing that it can be placed next to a natural Carrara backsplash and blend beautifully. Other quartz composite options include Caesarstone and HanStone.
Color
3452 Red Shimmer from the Classico Collection by Caesarstone. Picture from 3rings feature on media.designerpages.com.
A bright pop of color on an island counter gives this kitchen an infusion of red. In choosing solid colors, look for ones with a little bit of shimmer or texture to help hide dust and watermarks.
Wood
This dark walnut wood island counter gives a wonderful contrast to the all-white kitchen. Select application carefully as wood counters may require more maintenance.
Wood can also be used in smaller sections as a butcher block for cutting and prepping food or even as a table extension off of the kitchen island. A round wood table extension provides a more traditional breakfast table appeal for those who prefer to sit around a table and at the traditional table height.
Concrete
Concrete counters come in a variety of colors and can be formed into different shapes or made with integral sinks. You can even embed things such as glass or fossils in it to make it your own.
Paperstone
PaperStone is a sustainable composite material made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper, phenolic resins and natural pigments. It develops its own patina as it ages. We have not used this product but would be interested to know if you have used it and how it has performed.
Semi-precious stones
How about agate or semi-precious stones? Backlit Natural Agate on the bar portion of this island create a focal point in this unique yet contemporary kitchen. In bathrooms, we have also used a backlit Onyx. While it’s a softer material, it is appropriate for bathrooms and is beautiful when backlit or underlit.
It is nice to have so many options and choices in countertops. They’ve become a way to add to the decor and enhance the look of any space.
