There are so many things to consider when planning a kitchen remodel – from cabinets, fixtures, appliances, and tile. JBDB’s designers Emily Thull and Samantha Schmitt discuss some of the latest trends in kitchen countertops to help inspire homeowners for their next remodeling project.
Trend #1: Thin Countertops
Emily: Love it • Sam: Love it
Though thinner countertops have always been around, newer technologies have increased their popularity lately. “Quartz countertops can be milled down or fabricated thinner from the get-go,” said Emily. “Concrete countertops can also be produced thinner if they’re reinforced with fiberglass.”
Sam said, “Cambria has countertop options where just the edges are milled down, called a shale edge. This gives your countertop a minimal, sleek look without sacrificing stability.”
Consider going with thinner countertops if you’re looking for a clean, sleek look for your kitchen. “A thinner countertop may not be dramatically eye-catching, but it’s a good way to support your overall design in a not-so-obvious way,” Emily said. “It’s a well thought-out design detail that can make a big impact.”
Trend #2: Honed Finishes
Emily: Love it • Sam: Love it
From plumbing fixtures to appliances, matte/honed finishes have been popular for a while now in kitchen designs. So it makes sense that more and more options are available for matte (honed) countertop finishes, too. “It’s always been an option for natural stone, and once it became popular they started honing quartz, too,” Emily said.
Sam adds, “There are other finishes that fall into the matte category; for instance, you can have a matte finish with a more textural finish applied as well.
Trend #3: Bold Patterns and Veining
Emily: Love it • Sam: Love it
Speckled patterns are declining in popularity, and bold veining is coming up in its place. Both Emily and Sam love this trend, and encourage homeowners not to shy away from this trend. “There’s a common misconception that you can only use a bold pattern in small doses, like just on your kitchen island,” said Sam. “If a homeowner wants to use a standout countertop, go ahead and use it across the board. There are so many different options out there; you’re not limited to just white with gray veining.”
Emily adds, “I always remind homeowners to not have too many stars of the show. If you have a bold countertop, you don’t want a competing tile backsplash. Instead, you could just run that countertop material up the wall as a backsplash to make a statement.”
Trend #4: Sintered Stone
Emily: Love it • Sam: Love it
According to Emily and Sam, a newer countertop material called sintered stone is the one to watch. “It’s really taking off,” Emily said.
Sintered stone essentially imitates the natural process of how stone is made – by compressing minerals under extreme heat and pressure – but instead of it happening over thousands of years in the earth’s crust, it can be manufactured within a few hours.
Sintered stone countertops come in a large range of colors and styles, so you can choose options to look like wood grain, natural stone, and more. It’s extremely durable, waterproof, and stain resistant – plus, it’s non-porous, so it doesn’t need to be sealed and is unaffected by heat or cold.
