The Most Popular Kitchen Countertop Materials of the Year

The kitchen is the pride of the home for many homeowners – a space that showcases their best elements and is the heart and soul of the house. Its style, appearance and functionality make a big difference to the overall appeal of your home. With open-plan designs becoming the norm, a sparkling and ergonomic kitchen is even more of a ‘must-have’. An organized kitchen makes life easier and with social kitchens trending currently, it makes plenty of sense to spend a bit more time on kitchen design and makeovers when compared to other rooms.

Beautiful farmhouse kitchen with engineered quartz countertops and lovely lighting

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Today, we take a look at one of the most important components of a beautiful, functional kitchen – the countertops. Apart from lighting and cabinets, the countertops are arguably the biggest influencers in a kitchen. They determine its color scheme, efficiency and also the materials you choose for other shelves and cabinets in the kitchen. As with every other home design detail, different folks prefer different countertop surfaces. And today, we wish to share with you the three most popular kitchen countertop materials of the year that promise to stay relevant in 2022 as well. Step in and discover these trendy surfaces that are taking over kitchen counters and islands across the globe –

Unleash the Magic of Wood

Adding wood countertops to the kitchen is as much about aesthetics as it is about ergonomics. Wood countertops come with their own set of drawbacks that are undeniable. With wood being a naturally porous material that easily absorbs fluids, wood countertops need top-notch sealing and constant care. You will also see these surfaces accumulate scratches and cuts far more easily than stone or Corian countertops. Yet, the reason for their chart-topping popularity lies in the warmth that wood brings to the kitchen along with the ease that it creates. Wood countertops fit in with pretty much every kitchen style you can think of – from minimal and contemporary to eclectic and rustic. Adaptable and timeless, they will continue to dominate kitchenscapes in the decade to come!

Beautiful-wooden-countertops-fit-in-with-any-style-that-you-can-think-of-96735 — Beautiful wooden countertops fit in with any style that you can think of!

Creative-kitchen-island-with-wooden-countertops-steals-the-spotlight-in-here-56750 — Creative kitchen island with wooden countertops steals the spotlight in here [From: Philippe Launrent]

Polished-wood-and-white-modern-Mediterranean-style-kitchen-with-wooden-countertops-96761 — Polished wood and white modern Mediterranean style kitchen with wooden countertops [From: Home Staging Bizkaia]

Small-Paris-kitchen-with-eclectic-style-green-backsplash-and-wooden-countertops-95920 — Small Paris kitchen with eclectic style, green backsplash and wooden countertops [From: Claire Clerc décoratrice]

Stone-black-backsplash-combined-with-wooden-countertops-in-the-polished-contemporary-kitchen-79154 — Stone black backsplash combined with wooden countertops in the polished contemporary kitchen [From: Collaroy Kitchen Centre]

Engineered Quartz at its Best

Engineered quartz is a manmade countertop material that uses natural quartz particles that are artificially bonded using various chemical components, resins and pigments. This material is a great choice for those searching for a durable and stylish kitchen countertop surface that will last the test of time. Unlike wood and marble, engineered quartz is far more heat-resistant, withstands wear and tear without showing too many signs of it, and is available in a plethora of hues and patterns. Affordable and versatile, the material fits in with the visual appeal of most modern kitchens (if not all).

New-Yorck-home-kitchen-with-deep-bluecabinets-and-engineered-quartz-countertops-in-white-67970 — New York home kitchen with deep blue cabinets and engineered quartz countertops in white [From: Z+ Interiors]

Polished-enginnered-quartz-in-black-is-perfect-for-this-minimal-kitchen-59893 — Polished engineered quartz in black is perfect for this minimal kitchen

Dashing-kitchen-with-brick-wall-backsplash-and-engineered-quartz-countertops-90400 — Dashing kitchen with brick wall backsplash and engineered quartz countertops [From: Watermark Fitted Kitchen & Bathrooms]

Engineered-quartz-countertops-look-as-beautiful-as-quartz-and-marble-countertops-in-the-kitchen-43699 — Engineered quartz countertops look as beautiful as quartz and marble countertops in the kitchen [From: By Design Interiors]

Marble Gives the Kitchen an Upgrade

A natural stone that has been known as a mark of luxury throughout history, marble has been on a grand comeback trail for a while now. You can see it pretty much everywhere these days – from spa-inspired bathrooms and cozy bedrooms to charming living rooms and more. The kitchen is no exception, and marble countertops instantly add a touch of class and sophistication to any room they adorn. This is a naturally ‘soft stone’ and so, inevitably, marble countertops are a touch high-maintenance. Yet, the sheer visual magic they unleash is worth the extra care. Some marble varieties like Carrara are far less expensive than types like Calcutta, giving homeowners a greater range of options when it comes to a budget kitchen renovation.