The 5 Most Beautiful Kitchen Countertops
- Posted on August 12, 2016
If you’ve been dreaming of that perfect luxury kitchen, chances are you’ve imagined everything from the cupboards to color schemes to countertops. And chances are, when you picture the countertops, you’re thinking granite.
There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. Granite has been the go-to choice for beautiful kitchens for years now, and for good reason.
But it’s not your only choice—and if you’re building your dream home, you don’t want to find out later that there was something even better for you out there.
Here are your top 5 alternatives to granite, each with its own beauty and benefits:
1. Gemstone
It’s the new, absolute luxury choice for high-end home building: gemstone. Countertops made of semiprecious stones will give your dream kitchen a feel like no other material can. You can choose and even mix and match your stones, like amethyst, quartz, tiger’s eye, labradorite, and hematite, to create a stunning custom look with shine, sparkle, and unexpected colors.
Besides being gorgeous, they’re also extremely durable and easy to keep clean.
2. Marble
As building materials go, it’s hard to think of something more classic and elegant than marble. Its natural beauty and character, its color variations, and its durability are all great reasons to consider it for your dream home.
Just be aware that marble’s appearance can change over time. But if you choose a richly-veined variety, they’ll barely be noticeable. Plus, those little alterations can actually add character and charm.
3. Wood
Anyone who’s watched a popular cooking show has probably seen a professional chef working at an island made of butcher’s block. Not only does the wood have a beautiful tone and lend warmth and charm to the room, it’s extremely useful.
Other durable woods make gorgeous choices, too. As long as they’re properly sealed, you can have rich, natural wood countertops that will last. Wood is an especially good choice if your cabinets are made out of something else to give contrast in color and texture.
4. Cement
Normally “cement” and “high-end” don’t go together—especially in a kitchen. But for a dream home, there’s nothing more customizable than cement. Builders can cast concrete to your specifications in almost any color and design. For a truly custom and unexpectedly beautiful look, do not overlook this option.
5. Tile
Tile isn’t just for backsplashes. There are truly stunning tile options out there for countertops, including natural stone and ceramic tiles. Tiles are more visually interesting than a flat countertop, and you can choose your material, colors, and design to create exactly the result you want.
If you go the ceramic tile route, consider going global: there are artisans all over the world who create incredible hand-painted tiles that can bring the world home to your kitchen.
Can’t Choose Just One?
With so many high-quality options, there’s no need to settle. Many high-end designers mix and match countertops between perimeter, island, and bar, or even with inlays or multi-level designs.
It’s your kitchen, your dream—make it truly dreamy.