While a polished look is always classic, kitchen design moving toward textured surfaces. While this is seen in the materials for chairs or on stone backsplashes, it can be applied to countertops too. Honed or leather surfaces are a popular option, with designs that can be to a variety of countertop materials such as marble, quartz, and granite.
A popular option is the honed finished. This is a matte finish with minimal to no shine. The final finish will vary depending on the type of stone you use, but you can expect it to have low shine and a smooth surface. Marble is a great stone for this type of application because its lack of shine conceals scratch marks and other flaws easily.
Leathered style countertops are a newer concept and feature a soft sheen with less gloss than a polished countertop and a different feel. With a leather finish, you can preserve the stone’s natural color while providing it with a sophisticated appearance. This finish is great if you want to hide water spots or fingerprints.
Quartz is a high-end style material that serves as an alternative to granite. While granite is strong, durable, and looks great, it is a porous material. Spills from wine, oil, and water can seep into the stone and leave behind staining. The porous characteristic also leaves the countertop a breeding ground for bacteria. This issue can be resolved by sealing the granite, but keep in mind it will need to reseal throughout the life of the countertop.
Quartz is non-porous, so it doesn’t require sealing. It is resistant to staining and will not encourage bacteria to build up since it is easy to clean. Quartz is also extremely durable and is available in a variety of patterns, colors, and finishing techniques to give you the look of natural stone without additional maintenance.
We’ve seen a rise in popularity with homeowners choosing countertops with veining and patterns, adding character to their kitchens. With materials like quartz, you can create a look that mimics marble or granite by adding veined patterns to the stone slab. Honed and leather finishes also offer the durability you need while giving you a stylish and realistic stone look.
As kitchen trends continue to evolve, we see trends like matte black sinks and fixtures, along with brass and gold colors, at the forefront of stylish kitchen designs as well as bathroom designs.
Another popular sink trend is oversized sinks, such as the trendy farmhouse or apron front sinks. They are a great addition to increase your kitchen’s functionality and pair well with other oversized appliances such as a fridge. As more open area kitchens gain popularity, they are becoming larger and more accessible, causing the appliances to follow suit.
Bold colored countertops are a popular way to make a statement in your kitchen design. One popular trend is bold, black countertops with the stark contrast of white cabinets. This can work well in contemporary kitchens offering a sleek, sophisticated look, but they can also complement a conventional kitchen using a black marble or granite surface to accent a bright tile backsplash.
Dark countertops can help other accents and elements of your kitchen stand out.
For 2021, homeowners are utilizing large slabs of tile or textured and patterned tiles to create unique backsplashes. With tile, the color options are endless, allowing you to completely customize your backsplash to the color scheme you want. Neutral patterns and natural textures are great for those going for a classic look, whereas bright pops of blue or yellow would be on-trend for 2021 backsplashes.
From marble, copper to stainless steel and even glass, the options for backsplash materials are endless. Larger slabs of materials are being used, and some homeowners are moving their backsplashes all the way up to the ceiling as upper cabinets are phasing out of popularity.
Take part of your kitchen outside with an outdoor countertop! If you entertain a lot or spend a lot of time outdoors on your patio, adding an outdoor countertop can give you a place to prepare food and drinks, display snacks, and so much more. When choosing your outdoor countertop, keep in mind that it needs to be easy to clean, waterproof, and stylish. Some great materials to choose for an outdoor countertop are concrete, tile, and granite. Quartz and Corian are not UV-resistant and can fade in the sun, so it’s best to avoid them for outdoor applications.
