Countertop Design Trends for Your Kitchen Remodel Project

Kitchen countertop trends come down to seven materials and looks, and each one asks something different of you. Some wipe clean with a damp cloth. Others need a little care to stay beautiful. Here’s how the most popular choices compare, so you can match the surface to the way you actually cook.

Quick answers

• Easiest to care for? Quartz.
• Warmest look? Butcher block.
• Most dramatic? Veined stone or a bold color.
• Most custom? Concrete.
• Least upkeep with a natural-stone look? Marble-look quartz.

Quartz countertops

Quartz is an engineered surface, made from crushed stone and resin, and it’s one of the most common choices in kitchen remodels. It comes in a huge range of colors and patterns, so it’s easy to match to your cabinets. The surface doesn’t absorb liquids, so a damp cloth handles most spills. Some manufacturers, such as Cambria, say their surface needs no sealing.

Its weak spot is heat. Cambria warns that its surface may not withstand direct heat from pots and pans, and recommends a closed-weave hot pad or solid trivet every time. Brands differ, so read the care guide for the one you choose.

Marble-look quartz

Natural marble has soft, flowing veins, and a lot of people want that look without the care. Quartz makers now print and layer patterns that copy it closely. Hold up a sample against your cabinets and backsplash in your own light, since veining can look quite different from one slab to the next.

Contrast helps. Dark hardware against pale stone makes the pattern stand out, and a quieter backsplash keeps a busy slab from competing with everything else.

Honed granite countertops

Granite is a natural stone, and the finish changes its personality. Polished granite is glossy and formal. Honed granite has a matte, softer look that feels more relaxed. Off-white, gray, and black are common colors.

Granite is porous, so it’s usually sealed. A simple check tells you when to reseal: put a few drops of water on the stone. If it soaks in and darkens the surface, it’s time. Ask your installer how often your slab is likely to need it, since it varies by stone and finish.

Butcher block countertops

Wood brings warmth that few other materials can match. Walnut, oak, and maple each have a different color and grain. Butcher block works well on an island, where it can contrast with a stone perimeter.

It’s also a material you take care of. It can scratch and stain, though you can sand it and refinish it. Use a food-safe oil, and don’t overdo it, since too much oil is a mistake too. Ask your supplier for care instructions for the specific wood and finish you pick.

Colored countertops

White and gray are familiar. If you want something different, a bold color can be the one standout in the room. Matte black with a light pattern looks sharp against a colorful backsplash. Green works well with wood or brightly painted cabinets, and blue pairs nicely with colorful cabinets or tile.

Keep the rest of the room calm. A bold counter does best when cabinets, floors, and walls stay simple.

Concrete countertops

Concrete is the most customizable surface on this list. It can be poured and shaped to fit your layout, with a custom edge, embedded details, and your choice of color and texture. It can look industrial, rustic, or traditional, depending on how it’s finished.

It needs a sealer to resist stains, and no sealer is completely stain-proof, so wipe spills promptly. Ask your installer what finish they use and how to care for it.

Natural marble

Marble is beautiful and a classic. It’s also softer than granite and can stain or etch from acidic spills like lemon juice, wine, or vinegar. Some homeowners love the way it ages. Others find the upkeep frustrating. If you want the look but not the worry, see marble-look quartz above.

How do you choose a countertop?

Ask three questions. How do you cook? A heavy cook needs a tough surface. How much care are you willing to give? Be honest. And how will it look with your cabinets, floor, and light? Bring samples home and view them at different times of day.

For more on the surfaces around your counters, see our post on whether you need a kitchen backsplash. If you’re also weighing price, our kitchen remodel cost guide explains what moves a kitchen budget.

Countertop questions

Is quartz better than granite?

It depends on what you value. Quartz is easier to care for. Granite is natural stone.

Do I need to seal quartz?

Some brands say no, so check yours.

Is butcher block practical?

Yes, with regular care.

Ready to choose your countertops?

Bring photos and samples, and we’ll talk through what suits your kitchen.