Hot Kitchen Trends: Your Top Options For Countertops

Is this the year you finally remodel your kitchen? Are you going gourmet all the way?

There are many reasons to make your kitchen the best room in your home. Statistics show that on average, we spend 37 minutes there every day in meal preparation mode alone. Add in a little time lingering with friends, helping the kids with their homework, maybe even sitting at the island checking your email, and you’ll quickly find it’s the most popular room in your house.

So why not make it beautiful; a place we not only have to be in but a room we truly enjoy being in too.

When you’re ready for the redesign, there are some common pitfalls to be aware of and one of the most common can be getting lost in the multitude of available options. With so many different materials and choices, how do you know which way to go? Are you looking for classic designs? Do you want the hottest kitchen trends? Will only the finest do?

While there are many different facets you’ll have to consider, we would argue that one of the most important will be your options on your countertops.

The countertop is an essential component of the kitchen. It’s the first thing you see when you walk in. It’s where all the important kitchen work takes place.

The material you select matters. So does the finish. So does the design.

Countertops are no longer a boring addition where your final selection depends on whether you like black or white. Instead, you’ll find an array of choices waiting for you to make. It’s worth a few minutes to consider your choices and how they will play into your everyday lifestyle.

The Front Winner Is Quartz

Quartz was introduced as a high-end alternative to granite. And while you’ll still find granite dominating the scene in kitchens all around, quartz is keeping pace. Many have listed quartz as the hottest trend in countertops today. And for a good reason.

Quartz isn’t stone by itself, but instead is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. While granite is made up of several minerals, quartz is only one.

A quartz countertop is made from about 93 percent quartz, with the remainder made up of a resin binder and color additives to turn it into the countertop that will eventually be in your home. Quartz countertops aren’t quarried out of the earth and cut into slabs like granite and other stones, but instead are a human-made product.

Still, quartz is one of the hardest materials, second only to diamond. The resin binds the quartz together under heat pressure. This process leaves the finished product non-porous and very durable for all of your kitchen needs.

And the best part of it is quartz comes in many styles and colors, often resembling granite, marble, or even a natural stone look.

Countertops With Character

Boring is so yesterday. If you want to stick with the trends, add a little character to your kitchen by selecting a countertop with patterns.

What makes granite so popular is that once you select your piece, you know you have an original. Because granite is quarried from the earth, no two pieces will ever be the same. That means it’s worth your while to move from piece to piece and look at the rich, deep color of each, or consider the veining that runs through the stone.

But it’s not just granite that provides your kitchen with a unique personality. You’ll find it in quartz as well. Because it’s created to resemble slabs of natural stone or granite, you’ll find interesting patterns swirled into the slab. And because quartz is manmade, it doesn’t stop with resembling stone. You can find everything from a polished look to leathered finishes, drastically changing the look and feel of your space in an instant.

You can even step beyond the norm of granite and stone and find unique countertop products that will stand the test of time. Think laminate countertops are straight out of the past? Think again. You’ll give today’s high-pressure laminates a second look when you see how durable they’ve become. And because they are manmade, the characteristics of each piece can provide you with a winning look you’ll love.

Integrated Kitchen Sinks

As countertops are getting sleeker in look and feel, the kitchen sink isn’t being left behind. Today’s kitchen trends find the favorite look being a sleek, continuous style from the countertop down to the sink. The integrated sink has become a staple in kitchens today.

An integrated sink is made from the same material as the countertop. That makes the two blend seamlessly, so you’ll have a smooth flow from your working surface down into your sink.

But style isn’t the only thing you’ll gain from an integrated kitchen sink design. The lack of a break allows a smooth transition between the two areas, making clean up and maintenance a breeze. You’ll never have to worry about bits of food getting stuck in transition. Or water seeping between the two and causing a biological mess. Even the potential for stains and messes can quickly disappear as the two come together.

And what’s even better is because the look is so seamless, you’ll find they work in any theme, whether your home is sleek and modern, or you added a bit of that country charm. The possibilities are endless.

Neutral Tones and Colors

We also see a comeback of softer, more subtle colors. Brighter colors are gradually losing place in kitchen decor as the preference turns to soft, neutral tones running throughout the kitchen.

Instead of jet black countertops, you’re more likely to find lighter materials with soft grey, white, or beige tones. There is more focus on selecting the right highlights to stand out from a more neutral background. You’ll also find countertops stay more neutral while setting up bolder choices in backsplashes. This gives homeowners the ability to play with different tones and colors in smaller areas, and have more options in the coming years as styles and preferences change.

This lighter, natural look is also coming at a time when trends in the design show that we want to open up our kitchen spaces more. Natural lighting is growing in popularity, with larger windows, even folding glass windows and doors to bring in light and brightness any time of the year. The effect of the two working together gives the impression of more space in your kitchen.