Welcome to 2024, where kitchen countertops aren’t just about chopping onions anymore. They’re about making a statement, showing off your style, and maybe even causing a little countertop envy. The latest kitchen countertop trends are bursting with inspirational ideas for every home, offering fresh energy and enviable style. Often one of the biggest costs in a kitchen remodel, choosing kitchen countertops can be challenging. You need to consider durability, stain resistance, and ease of maintenance, not to mention sustainability and practical issues such as slab sizes and weight.
Once you’ve locked down your practical requirements, the fun of drooling over beautiful kitchen countertops can begin. We’re here to help with the most striking countertop-focused kitchen ideas emerging for the year ahead. While the options are all totally dreamy, if we had to pinpoint one key direction, it has got to be nature-inspired. Be that solid stone, wood, or man-made composites like quartz and terrazzo, nature-led tones are the way forward.
Kitchen Countertop Trends 2024
When exploring kitchen countertop trends, the choice of material is only half the story. The way countertops are installed, finished, and paired with kitchen cabinet colors and backsplash ideas is also subject to trends, and we’ve uncovered some of the best kitchen style ideas to reflect these latest directions. Explore this line-up to find inspiration for your next kitchen countertop sourcing trip.
1. Match a Kitchen Countertop to the Cabinets
You’re probably familiar with the idea of taking countertops down to the floor on the end panels of an island or run of units, aka a waterfall edge. The latest surface-focused kitchen ideas see this eye-catching installation trick taken a step further with entire sections clad in the same statement material.
For instance, you can take the three-dimensional countertop approach. You can choose the most incredible White Beauty marble and carry it down the fronts and sides to really showcase the swirling green and blue veining. This cohesive look creates a seamless flow in the kitchen, making it visually stunning and adding a touch of luxury.
2. Explore Different Depths
Playing into the trend for quiet luxury kitchens, where style statements are luxurious but understated, the latest way to elevate in a low-key way is to use two or more countertop depths.
Incorporating both slim and more weighted worksurfaces can result in a premium, eye-catching scheme. Pairing a thick worktop on an island with a slight worktop elsewhere, for example, is a great way to balance high impact and more subtle sleekness to achieve a cohesive, timeless, and finished look.
By using a mitred-edge profile, it’s possible to create the chunkiest-looking countertops without excessive weight issues. For ultra-skinny countertops, consider stainless steel or sintered stone, which is capable of barely-there depths without compromising strength.
3. Focus on the Edge
They say it’s the details that make or break a scheme. When it comes to countertops, that detailing is taking the shape of ever more adventurous edge profiles. The edge profile for your kitchen countertops is a finishing touch worth spending some time on to get the right one to best enhance the scheme. An edge profile with design difference, like ribbed brass, can make a beautiful countertop just that bit more interesting.
Fancy Ogee edge profiles are making a comeback on the most glamorous kitchens in town (and country), while deep Shark Nose edge profiles remain the cool way to finish a contemporary countertop.
4. Embrace Rough Luxe
Take the rough with the smooth by following the trend for combining rugged surfaces with flawlessly smooth to create deliberate design friction. Embracing the unrefined beauty of natural Fume Grey Emperador Marble is a prime example.
The hand-carved rough stone juxtaposed against silky polished countertops forms a dynamic interplay between texture and surface quality. The contrast was intentional, making the modern kitchen both beautiful and functional.
5. Mix Dark and Light
For a kitchen that exudes confidence, choose countertops in directly opposing colors. Marron Imperial marble makes a distinguished statement, contrasting with beauty against crisp white cabinetry and the surrounding scheme.
Slatted detailing and fluted fronts can increase the creative flair and add that extra touch of standout luxury. For a classical monochrome take on this trend, try pairing Marquina Black marble with pure Thassos Snow White marble or a lightly veined Carrara.
6. Seek Out Dynamic Veining
Forget timid blue-grey marbles with unremarkable figuring; big, bold, dramatic stones are the way forward. Natural stones with out-sized veining and expressive energy are gaining attention in a big way. Double down on the impact by opting for a luxe waterfall edge installation with a matching kitchen backsplash, as seen in some exquisite monochrome schemes featuring San Simone natural quartzite.
When using dramatically veined countertops in a contemporary kitchen, the key is to keep the rest of the design comparatively simple and elegant. The stone should be the star of the show, and to do so, it needs space to breathe.
Marble’s popularity is growing, not waning, and is likely to become the top countertop choice in 2024. This trend is largely attributed to advancements in non-permeable sealers that have removed concerns about marble’s susceptibility to stains and damage. Clients are now more open to incorporating marble into their kitchens and bathrooms, knowing that they can maintain its appearance without worrying.
Classics like travertine and Calacatta remain ever-popular, and there is a growing interest in marbles with intricate veining and dynamic patterns such as Calacatta Viola or Calacatta Poanazzo. Calacatta Viola enchants with its rich purple and lavender veins, while Calacatta Poanazzo boasts captivating, swirling patterns in various shades of gray and gold. These romantic stones infuse a sense of drama and artistry into spaces, elevating the overall aesthetic.
7. For Timeless, Choose Terrazzo
Terrazzo may feel like a relatively new interior design trend, but it’s never really gone out of fashion, which is why it’s likely to stay a strong countertop choice for many years to come. The true beauty of terrazzo lies in its design flexibility.
If you want to go big and bold, choose large-scale chips in jewel colors, but for a harmonious look that’s relaxed, simple, and fluid, opt for a more homogenous mix. A terrazzo countertop with flecks of black, brown, grey, and white chippings beautifully complements the other materials and finishes in the space.
Terrazzo is very contemporary – like marble or stone, it’s a neutral, beautiful material. It feels close to nature and adds texture to projects.
There has been an increase in clients opting for terrazzo for their worktops, as it’s a great way of adding personality into the kitchen with a mix of colored stones. It’s durable and long-lasting but also very sustainable as it uses a lot of recycled materials such as offcut stone chips and glass fragments.
8. Don’t Buy New, Reuse
There are plenty of ways to lower the environmental impact when planning a kitchen remodel, but arguably the most effective route is to avoid buying new in the first place. Reflecting the current mood for responsible renovating, there’s a huge upsurge in demand for reclaimed countertops, from upcycled Science Lab benches to remade timber terrazzo. It’s not all about shopping with a clear conscience; there are many aesthetic benefits to breathing new life into old countertops.
Using reclaimed limestone for island countertops adds character, while the evolving patina tells a story. As wine spills, it only adds more layers of love, enhancing its charm and preventing the kitchen from feeling too perfect or trendy. The added warmth and texture maintain a relaxed aesthetic, while the durability feels inviting in a space that is intended for gathering.
9. The Return of Tiles
The tile countertop trend is showing no sign of slowing down as more interior designers discover the benefits of tiled tops. The latest iterations are doubling up on the fashionable front by also embracing the zellige tile trend.
There are no better tiles to use than zellige. Their glossy glaze catches the light beautifully and they come in a wide range of colors. A tiled worktop is a much cheaper alternative to stone or quartz and can add the wow factor to your new kitchen. As they are handmade, no two tiles are the same; they vary in size, shine, and depth of glazing. They are perfectly imperfect, meaning that you will not feel as precious about small scratches or chips as you would with a very expensive stone or quartz.
Use a darker grout color to avoid staining issues and seek out zellige tiles with matching border tiles for a neat countertop finish without raw edges.
10. Jewel Colors
The trend for decorating with jewel tones has hit countertops with Emerald leading the charge, and we couldn’t be happier. Nor are we surprised, given that green is the big color story this year.
Luckily Mother Nature can deliver on the green countertop score; look no further than Verde Guatemala Marble for your emerald hit. Verde Guatemala marble brings a huge amount of color depth and vibrancy and is perfect for making a strong impression, especially in a large kitchen that’s designed for entertaining.
Conclusion
The countertop trends of 2024 are a mix of style, innovation, and a pinch of fun. Whether you’re into the drama of dark colors, the elegance of veined patterns, or the high-tech allure of smart countertops, there’s something to tickle every fancy. These trends reflect a desire for more personalized, sustainable, and creative design choices in kitchen spaces. By incorporating these top trends into your kitchen remodel, you can create a space that is not only functional but also a true reflection of your style and personality.
Ready to make your dream kitchen come into life? Call Sebring Design Build today to schedule an appointment. We’re excited to work with you!
