Let’s face it: no matter how much we invest in decorating and furnishing our living rooms, the kitchen undoubtedly becomes the true gathering space for the home. Dubbed the “workroom of the house” by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the kitchen is likely to get a lot of use—and everything in it needs to stand up to years of abuse by hot pans, sharp knives, dropped dishes and whatever else might happen. Especially counters. And since counters take up a large proportion of space in a kitchen, they definitely need to look fantastic.
Below is a guide to the some of the most trendy kitchen counter materials:
Artisan Tile
Custom designed tile mosaics are ultra chic. Using top-quality glazed artisanal tile on the backsplash areas of sinks and counters is a way to add a pop of color into a kitchen and make it truly unique.
Granite
Durable, attractive, and long-lasting, this material is as trendy as ever for kitchens. However, there have been recent reports (like this one from the New York Times) that says some of the granites used in may countertops emits elevated levels of radon, an odorless gas linked to lung cancer, though the industry maintains their product is safe.
Wood
If your kitchen gets heavy use, and the recipes in your repertoire call for pounds of chopped vegetables, a wood counter may be in order. Many home chefs are opting for kitchen islands made from the same materials used in chopping blocks.
Soapstone
Soapstone is a non-porous material, which makes it resistant to bacterial growth, requires no sealing, and is durable enough for you to place hot pans directly on its surface. And rumor has it that Martha Stewart has soapstone counters in her own kitchen.
Stainless-steel
This material is becoming popular in kitchens as it is very easy to keep clean and will not be marred by hot pans. It lends itself to a modern aesthetic and looks very sleek and industrial. However, the surface is easily dented.
Concrete
Concrete sounds harsh and industrial, but it won’t look like the sidewalks you tread on. It’s easy to customize in terms of color and doesn’t pose the radon threat that granite does while still being just as durable and heat resistant.
Green
Eco-friendly materials are gaining steam: recycled glass, end-grain bamboo and reclaimed woods like recycled old-growth lumber are trendy in eco-conscious and green remodels.
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