Countertop trends are adding warmth to kitchen designs.
Story by Tracy Dickinson
Featured in Spring 2024
In the past several years, color trends have edged away from the grays that had been leading the field. Warmer shades are taking the lead in everything from clothing to cars. The same is true of home decor. Kitchen designs also reflect the move away from cooler shades. That’s evident in countertop products as well.
Quartz and granite remain the dominant material choices for countertops because they offer fantastic durability along with a huge range of design options.
Morgan Vigon of The Kitchen & Bath Company says, “Quartz is still the most popular, but natural material is coming back. Quartzite and granite offer a look that can’t be man-made, and that fits with the trend toward natural elements.”
“I’m seeing more Dekton all the time,” says Woodharbor’s Jammie Pekarek. “It’s an extremely durable blend of materials, and that’s really appealing to homeowners.”
Because of the desire for low-maintenance products, homeowners are looking for those that don’t require regular sealants and aren’t susceptible to scratching and staining.
Pekarek says, “Products like marble and solid-surface materials are more easily damaged. Quartz, quartzite, and granite don’t have those same issues.”
“Granite is durable and heat-resistant and has a natural pattern,” says Vigon. “But it does need to be sealed a couple times a year to prevent it from becoming porous.”
Quartz and granite remain the dominant material choices for countertops because they offer fantastic durability along with a huge range of design options.
Whether the choice is a natural or a man-made product, color selection is trending towards warm tones.
According to Moehl Millwork’s Keelie Lawson, “Our countertop supplier says warm tones are very popular right now. People are moving away from white and gray because they’re perceived to be more sterile and cold.”
“I’m seeing more and more of the browns and golds coming back,” adds Pekarek. “And the design is more uniform, either solid colors or very tight speckled patterns.”
Vigon agrees. “Granite and quartzite with unique veining rather than a consistent pattern, like you can get in man-made products, are becoming more popular,” she says. “And homeowners are leaning toward the warmer-toned veining, like brown and taupe, as opposed to cooler gray tones.”
Moehl Millwork has been seeing an increase in matte and leathered finishes, creating a bit of visual texture without the distraction of pattern or color while also disguising water spots.
“If the homeowner wants to add a little spice, our countertop designer likes to recommend waterfall panels,” says Lawson. “They’re a great way to add a custom look to the countertop design without a significant price increase.”
Cabinet selection and finish plays a major role in countertop decisions, but which comes first depends on the designer and the homeowner.
“Typically, I like to start with a countertop and match cabinets to it,” says Pekarek. “But sometimes when you’re in the home and figuring out cabinet layout, the other colors in the home come into play, and you know the cabinet color that will work best. The countertop comes from that decision.”
“My personal preference is choosing a cabinet color first,” Vigon says. “Most homeowners find it more difficult to settle on a cabinet finish they like, so tackling that decision first is helpful. Finding a countertop to go with the cabinets is easier for homeowners to visualize than the other way around.”
That being said, “If someone is remodeling on a budget, updating the countertop can give a kitchen new life,” Vigon adds. “We see this often with homes that have honey oak cabinets. A honed black quartz or marble-look man-made product for the countertops with new cabinet hardware and an updated backsplash can completely transform the space.”
Mixing cabinet colors or finishes remains a popular design element, but not necessarily mixing countertops as well. “Some people feel that having the island cabinets different is enough, and changing the countertop too can be too much,” Pekarek says. “Other times, we’ll keep the cabinetry the same throughout and just change the island countertop, especially if the homeowner wants a different work or dining surface.”
In the end, kitchen design is a partnership between the professional and the homeowner melding design trends with personal taste. As Vigon says, “There isn’t a way the design should be. It’s what you like as an individual. I tell my clients to choose what they like because they’re the ones living in the home. Letting other people’s opinions or popular trends influence that too much won’t result in a space they love.”
The trend toward warmer tones may be a result of color trends in other design areas. But it’s also a way to create a space for family and guests to gather and feel welcome. Those warm tones are a visual embrace, proof of the old adage that the kitchen really is the heart of the home. •
Resources
- Morgan Vigon The Kitchen & Bath Company
- Keelie Lawson Moehl Millwork
- Jammie Pekarek Woodharbor
