The renovation that brings the biggest impact to your home is without a doubt your kitchen. It’s the hub of our homes and our lives and a great kitchen transformation can bring so much joy to homeowners. It also makes everyday life easier when we have a kitchen that functions well and looks so good that we enjoy the time we spend there.
Cabinetry and countertops make the biggest visual impact on your kitchen design so it’s wise to spend time learning about what’s current and what’s considered to be out of date.
I don’t believe in following trends but rather believe we should use the materials that bring us the most joy. Having said that, you don’t want to be installing a material that’s been popular for 10 years and is just at the end of its life. It will instantly date your space and make it difficult if you decide to sell. Try to be aware of trends without falling into the trap of only using what’s currently trending. If you are preparing for a kitchen renovation, here are simple steps for preparing for a successful project.
What’s Hot and What’s Out for Countertops?
We’ve seen a decade of gray paint and marble-like countertops but that seems to be changing. If you have a marble or marble look-alike like Carrara or Calacatta, don’t worry. This is a classic material that will never date but instead can sustain any of the changes we’re seeing today. Here’s what the trend forecasters are excited about for 2025:
What’s Hot for Countertops in 2025?
1/ Marble With Dramatic Veining
Like I mentioned the last decade has been all about the white marble with the cool gray or blue veining. This is a very traditional marble that’s timeless and will never be outdated. Instead, what we’re seeing currently is a more dramatic marble with much longer and dramatic veining.
We’re also seeing a trend in marble leaning towards warmer shades. The cool white is being replaced with warmer taupe, sand and beige. For those who are really into drama there are lots of bold colours to select from as well. Either muted or bold, this dramatic veining will ensure your countertops are not overlooked.
2/ Terrazzo
Another Italian favourite is topping the list this year. Terrazzo is a durable composite material made by adding crushed stone, glass, or other decorative chips called aggregate into a cement or epoxy base. Just like any natural material no two terrazzo countertops will look the same.
Terrazzo is considered one of the most sustainable countertop options so if you’re hoping to bring eco consciousness into your kitchen renovation, this is a good option for you.
You’ll also be seeing a lot of tables made from terrazzo for both the inside and outside of your home. So even if you don’t need a new countertop you can still bring some of this classic Italian style into your space this year.
3/ Quartz
Even though this is a material we’ve been using for several years it continues to be one of the most popular (if not the most popular) for kitchen countertops in 2025. Quartz is a man-made stone that gives us the durability and stain resistance we need in order to feel good about a white countertop. It’s low on maintenance but high on aesthetic appeal.
If you’re considering quartz, Caesarstone. Siletsone and Cambria are the predominant manufacturers and while they all have similar colours and patterns, each offers a few unique patterns so it’s worth investigating all of them.
You can have a simple, white countertop or you can have a marble look-alike. Another memorable feature is that it’s available in jumbo slab sizes. If you have a large island or long counter run you can use this and the end result is fewer seams. Lastly you can choose between a slab thickness of 2cm or 3cm.
4/ Butcher Block
Whenever we see the end of one trend we know we’re going to see a pendulum swing towards its opposite. This is true of the current trend using warm wood countertops in opposition to the all-white and cool gray kitchens of the last decade.
Wood countertops have a natural warmth but they also still say luxury. Made from hardwoods like maple, oak, or walnut, butcher block countertops provide warmth and are versatile as well as beautiful. The only downside of butcher block countertops is that they require regular maintenance, such as oiling to prevent damage from moisture and maintain their appearance over time.
5/ Porcelain
If you’ve only heard of porcelain in terms of teacups you may think that sounds odd to consider that for your countertop. In fact, they’re becoming popular thanks to their strength and durability. They’re both heat resistant as well as stain resistant and those are the two single most sought after traits when it comes to countertops. And if you need any more convincing, they’re also scratch resistant.
Porcelain is made from heating a mix of powdered china stone and white china clay, also known as kaolin. This gets set at extreme temperature and the high temperature causes the china stone to vitrify into a dense, highly durable material.
What’s Out for Countertops in 2025?
Just as we say hello to new ideas and products we always have to push something else aside and say goodbye. So what are we letting go of for this year in countertop design?
1/ Granite
I wouldn’t say this is a new trend for 2025 but we mostly continue to avoid this material. This is specifically in reference to the granite of 20 years ago that was brown or beige and very busy. It was often accompanied by very detailed edging and together those look dated.
If you still love granite there are some that will still look great. Go for something dark like a black and avoid a super busy pattern. Keep the edging simple and you’ll be able to create a timeless look that won’t ever feel dated.
2/ Laminate
These are one of the most cost effective countertop materials on the market but I’d advise you to wait a while longer and save up for something more timeless when renovating a kitchen.
Laminate countertops are prone to chipping, they are not stain or scratch resistant and they’re definitely not heat resistant. All of these things combined make them a poor choice for your kitchen because they also can’t be repaired. Any damage to laminate countertops will be evident until the day they’re removed.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use laminate anywhere in your home. If you have a bathroom just for the kids in your life, this is a good and economical choice. It also works for laundry room, mudroom or a secondary kitchen where you might not be able to splurge on solid stone.
3/ Ceramic Tile
This type of countertop has been around for decades and we saw a slight resurgence of use over the last few years while the granny chic look was trending. Aside from how busy this countertop looks, they also just don’t stand up to daily wear and tear.
The grout between the ceramic tiles becomes the most problematic aspect because it captures all the food and causes bacteria as well as staining. This is much too high maintenance and I suggest a seamless and low-maintenance option instead.
I hope this helps you make a decision regarding your own countertop selection. If you’re feeling stuck and need a hand, reach out to me. I’d be happy to discuss how I can help you with this or any other materials you need to purchase for a renovation.
