Kitchen Countertop Trends for 2021 and Beyond

Amber RandhawaHomeowner and Homebuyer Tips, Interior Decorating

Kitchens have always been a central part of the American home, a place where family and friends gather for informal meals, cooking lessons and important conversations. This has become even more true recently, due in large part to the Coronavirus pandemic, which has kept so many of us at home more than ever. More importantly, the pandemic has forced many of us to cook more than ever, and to rely on our immediate family members for tips, suggestions and at times full cooking lessons, whether in person or over Zoom. Because of this increasing reliance on the kitchen as the center of our family homes, kitchen design trends have changed, and one place in particular where we are seeing this is with countertops.


Durability is Key

Any room we spend a lot of time in should be built for comfort and longevity as much as for design and aesthetics. Of course it is still greatly important what your kitchen looks like, but the durability of your kitchen’s features has become more important than ever. This is a major factor in the changes we are seeing in kitchen countertops with current new builds and kitchen renovations. This search for increased durability has led many designers and builders to begin using materials you might never have thought of in a kitchen. While these materials might be new to you, they’ve actually been used for decades, but are experiencing an increase in popularity. If you’re interested in thinking outside of the granite box, here are some suggestions for your countertop redo!

Quartz

As we dive further into 2021, some designers are gradually moving away from marble and granite and instead turning to stain-resistant quartz for countertops. Unlike granite, quartz countertops are man-made in a factory, which lends to a wider range of color availability. Consumers also have more control over the pattern and veining of the countertops’ appearance. Quartz countertops are durable and low-maintenance, and since they are nonporous, they will be resistant to stains. Even though quartz countertops don’t require sealing, their surfaces still will not absorb harmful bacteria, viruses, mold, or mildew. Perhaps the only downside to quartz countertops is that they do not hold up to extreme heat the same way granite does. If you go with quartz for your kitchen, avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on your countertops.


Soapstone

Soapstone is another tough material that is being used more and more for kitchen countertops, and in addition to its strength, soapstone is also prized for being very easy to clean. Like quartz countertops described above, soapstone is nonporous, so it’s also antimicrobial and doesn’t require sealing. Soapstone counters have a soft and almost soap-like feel – in fact, this is how the material got its name. Soapstone is also heat-tolerant, so you can put your hot pans down in a hurry without hunting for a trivet if needed.


In order to maintain the soapstone’s rich charcoal color, you will need to treat it every few months with mineral oil, which helps the stone oxidize. One downside to soapstone is that while these countertops are durable, they’re still susceptible to scratches. Luckily this is a problem you can fix yourself, by lightly sanding the surface to diminish the look of any blemishes.

Butcher Block

If you jumped on the all-white kitchen trend that has been popular for several years now, you might be looking for a way to throw a pop of color into this space. The answer might be butcher block countertops, which will warm up an all-white space and can easily help you incorporate a farmhouse feel to your kitchen. Butcher block is known for its durability in the kitchen – this hardworking material can even allow your counter to double as a cutting board.


The countertops are made by gluing several pieces of wood together, and since there are many different types of wood that can be used, a wide variety of colors and styles are available. Go to favorites such as mahogany and walnut will always be popular choices, but you can easily find lighter styles if that will better fit your kitchen. Especially if you skip the cutting board and cut directly on your countertop, you’ll find that butcher block is susceptible to scratches and cuts. Luckily, you can easily sand down these physical signs of wear and tear to restore your countertops’ look back to brand-new. Butcher block is antibacterial and antimicrobial but is not resistant to heat or stains. Protect your butcher block from the direct heat of pots and pans, and maintain these countertops by oiling them about twice a year.

Stainless Steel

Once solely found in restaurants and industrial kitchens, stainless steel countertops are slowly increasing in popularity in residential kitchens across the globe. As you would expect from their use in restaurants, these countertops are virtually indestructible, and can be a chic option for certain kitchen styles. Could you pull this look off in a traditional or farmhouse style kitchen? Probably not, but if you have gone the industrial and modern route with your design already, you may want to consider stainless steel for more than just your appliances.


As an additional plus, stainless steel can also work like a mirror in smaller kitchens, creating an illusion that makes the room appear much larger and brighter. The surface of stainless steel is nonporous, antibacterial and antimicrobial. Anything that spills can be easily wiped up, leaving no discoloration behind. This material does scratch easily, and those scratches cannot be easily removed. However, once a few scratches appear they will start to form a patina that gives the countertop its own unique look. Stainless steel can also dent, so make sure a professional experienced with this material performs the installation. Stainless steel should be installed over a wood base to prevent these dings and dents.


Zinc

If you love the look of stainless steel but are afraid it could look too cold and harsh in your kitchen, perhaps zinc would be a better option. Zinc is a “living metal” that changes color over time in reaction to its surroundings. You can try to keep it polished and maintain the original look from when it was brand new, but that’s not really what zinc countertops were intended for. Zinc reacts with water, fingerprints, lemon juice, and all sorts of other things that land on a kitchen counter. Eventually, the marks left behind blend together and leave the countertop with a beautiful, dark blue-gray patina.


Because zinc is nonporous, when you do need to clean up a spill, just a little soap and water should be sufficient. And thanks to zinc being so easy to work with, fabricators can easily include decorative edges in various shapes and styles. Zinc is easy to scratch, so make sure you do not cut directly on it, but instead use cutting boards. It can only withstand heat up to about 300 degrees, so no putting dishes down directly from the oven.

Concrete

Yes, you read that correctly. Concrete countertops are being seen more and more in residential kitchens. If you are having a hard time picturing this, you are not alone. Many people are surprised by the luxury look and feel of countertops that have been crafted from concrete. One advantage to concrete is that it is heavily customizable. You can leave it as a natural gray, or choose a color, embedded material, and finish which can leave it looking like granite, marble, or even wood. Textures and finishes are available to match any design style, including traditional, modern, contemporary, industrial, or rustic, so you can make this material work for you no matter how you’ve decorated the rest of your kitchen. These countertops are extraordinarily durable. Most contractors reinforce the mix by adding glass fibers, making the counter both exceptionally strong and lightweight. The downside to concrete is that it is prone to stains. You’ll need to regularly reapply sealer and wax to protect the surface and make sure you clean up spills and messes right away.


Glass

Glass is one of the most versatile materials you can use for your kitchen’s countertops, with a wide variety of styles, colors, and textures available. Because it can be shaped and formed into an endless number of different styles, glass pairs well with most any kitchen design style, from traditional to rustic farmhouse to industrial. You might be surprised to learn that glass countertops are also extremely durable. They are heat resistant and do not show visible wear or discoloration over time. Because glass is nonporous, spills can be easily wiped away, and there are no cracks for bacteria to remain trapped in. Another point for glass – many glass countertops are made from recycled materials, making this an eco-friendly choice. As with any material, glass countertops do have a few drawbacks. Sharp or heavy objects can cause the countertop to crack, chip, or dent, and unlike other countertop materials, glass is extremely difficult and costly to repair. Glass countertops can also be very expensive to install, so they are not the right answer for everyone.