6 Kitchen Countertop Trends That Are on Their Way Out This Year (and What to Do Instead)
I know what you’re thinking, and I get it: Countertops aren’t a quick, easy, or inexpensive change. But they do play a pretty big role in the look, feel, and function of a kitchen. If you’re thinking about updating yours, there are a few countertop trends moving out (and new ones replacing them) that you might want to keep in mind. I asked a handful of designers for the low-down on what’s hot, what’s not, and how to choose countertop materials for a kitchen that looks more like next year’s style than the last decade’s.
1. Gray and White Marble
Say goodbye to the ubiquitous, high-maintenance, cold gray and white marble counter. “If production home builders and big-box stores are using it, a material has trickled its way down the design ladder and it has become regular, expected, even ordinary,” says designer Jamie Fichtner of The Cabinet Nerd.
Overall, “real marble is decreasing in popularity, as there are a plethora of products that simulate marble with bonus features like heat-resistance, scratch-resistance, and stain-resistance,” says Laura McGarity, senior interior design at DKN Architects. “Even in expensive, luxury kitchens, homeowners want easy care for countertops, and are unwilling to deal with the fuss of delicate, ‘real’ natural materials.”
In response to homeowners leaning away from marble, Fitchner says designers are seeing more highly durable surfaces. “Because of its endurance, porcelain surfaces are quickly rocketing to the top of designers’ sample racks.” And moving away from cold marble, they’re bringing back warmth, she says.
2. Sharp Edges and Thick Countertops
Some of the biggest changes experts are seeing in countertops “involve a shift in profile details,” says McGarity. While sharp rectilinear corners and edges have ruled design for the last decade, kitchens are leaving that look behind as soft curves and rounded edges take their place, she says. “Crisp, pointy edges are out, and organic, smooth edges are in.”
Thanks to technological advances that let fabricators cut with more precision and handle large slabs of man-made materials such as porcelain or quartz without cracking or shattering, homeowners are no longer stuck with standard 1.5-inch or 2-inch thickness, says Laura. Instead, they’re seeing profiles of less than an inch.
3. Thick Gray Veining in Quartz
We’re going for a cleaner aesthetic today, says Sherica Maynard of Interior Design by S&S, the award-winning, mother-daughter design duo. Thick gray veining in quartz, such as Calacatta, is becoming less popular as homeowners opt for solid tones or more subtle veining. “If a stone with some movement is being used, it’s highlighted in the island or as a featured stone behind the range,” Maynard says. Otherwise, countertops are becoming less and less busy.
4. Soft, Subtle Veining
But, of course, not all designers are on the same page. Mia Johnson, owner of Mia Johnson Home & Interior Design, says “The soft, subtle veining in countertops is definitely on its way out. On a recent trip to several stone yards, I noticed a strong preference for bold, heavily veined natural stones like quartzite and marble, which are in high demand.”
Despite the maintenance, she says, “Homeowners love how these stones bring movement and uniqueness to their kitchens.” While human-made quartz remains a popular choice due to its versatility, she says, porcelain slabs for countertops “may be declining, as many installers find them too fragile.” They still work beautifully as backsplashes, though, she adds.
5. Standard White or Black Quartz
“Think statement piece,” says Jodi Janzen of Janzen Design, a design firm in Marin County, California. “For 2024, I would direct away from the use of standard white or black quartz on the counter, as it will get lost in the overall design,” Janzen says. “Whether it has an ultra-thin profile, or ultra-thick plank style, the countertop should not go unnoticed in the kitchen design.”
Echoing Johnson, instead of run-of-the-mill black and white, Janzen says to look for material with “high-drama veining in quartz or marble, or terrazzo, or big chunks of different recycled materials, or of rich-looking statement wood with beautiful natural veining. The countertop may even be the same striking material as the backsplash to create drama in both planes.”
6. Quartz Overload
Quartz can be overused in a kitchen, says Ali Ames, senior designer at Lark Interiors, resulting in a repetitive look that lacks variety and feels sterile. “Mix things up for a more interesting aesthetic,” she suggests. “Try using quartz for the island but opt for a natural stone on the counters around the perimeter, or switch it up by choosing quartz for the countertop but be sure to use a different material for the backsplash.”
Are you surprised to see any of these kitchen countertop trends on their way out? Let us know in the comments below!
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