Kitchen countertop trends
There are so many elements to consider when embarking on a kitchen renovation. There are the big items, such as cabinetry, appliances, lighting and flooring. But even the so-called small things, such as handles and accessories, can make a huge difference to any finished project. This brings me neatly onto the topic of kitchen countertops. It’s by no means always the case, but they should be among the first things to be considered when planning a kitchen refurbishment. There are several reasons why...
First and foremost, your kitchen countertops are constantly in use. So in practical terms, you need to be honest about how you want them to behave. Then there are the aesthetics. Like flooring, kitchen worktops are on a horizontal plane, so they’re a natural focal point and always on display. The right style, material and colour really can make or break an overall design scheme, so it’s important to get everything right from the outset.
Material benefits
The perfect kitchen countertop needs to fit seamlessly with your lifestyle – and your personal design style. A traditional installation will require completely different kitchen worktops from an ultra-modern renovation. So, you need to consider the look you’d like to achieve, and the maintenance that will be required. The most popular luxury kitchen worktop materials are Corian, marble, quartz, stainless steel, solid wood and recycled glass. Each material offers different benefits – and requires different levels of TLC to keep it looking its best. Whichever worktop option you decide, we can source it from the finest suppliers, and have it shaped to your exact specifications to precisely fit any given space.
Corian worktops
In recent years, Corian kitchen countertops have been increasing in popularity. This man-made composite offers several key benefits, the first of which is durability. Corian is made from a mix of acrylic resin and natural minerals – a combination that turns out to be seriously tough and can easily withstand daily wear and tear.
We used Corian for the kitchen worktops in this beautiful Belgravia townhouse. The clients were keen cooks who requested a utilitarian setting complete with countertops which were easy to clean and maintain.
Secondly, Corian is super smooth and non-porous. This means that it's very resistant to stains, marks, and the growth of mildew, mould and bacteria. The third key advantage of Corian is that it can be glued together to create a seamless join. This not only looks amazing, it’s also very hygienic (no gaps for dirt to gather in), and offers almost unlimited design possibilities for your kitchen countertops. If you’re a fan of curves and fluid shapes, it’s definitely worth considering. Lastly, Corian is available in a wide range of colours and textures, which run through the entire thickness of the material – in other words, it can’t wear away and be easily repaired by a specialist company.
Marble kitchen countertops
Marble looks amazing. I find it’s often the first-choice kitchen countertop material for lovers of luxury and natural stone. This natural stone is synonymous with elegance and opulence. It’s always visually stunning, and I think its natural glow can reflect light in a room, making any space appear bigger and brighter. Serious chefs and keen bakers also love a marble worktop because its stone surface stays cool. It’s also reasonably heat-resistant (although I’d still recommend using a trivet and taking care with hot pots and pans).
Dark, dramatic marble features throughout this stunning Chelsea townhouse. In the lower ground kitchen, it creates a striking contrast to the airy, light-filled environment. We hand-picked each slab and showcased this with integrated LED lighting in the shelving
Marble is a softer material than certain other countertop choices, which makes it easier to cut and shape – perfect if you’re keen for your worktops to feature more complex edge profiles. The flip-side is that marble is more prone to scratching and staining, and will require regular cleaning, polishing and sealing to keep it in optimum condition.
Quartz work surfaces
Clients who love the look of natural stone, but are less enamoured with its comparative lack of durability, are often attracted to quartz for their kitchen countertops. A man-made alternative to granite, quartz is endlessly versatile. Typically modern and minimalist in appearance, quartz is heavy and hard-wearing, and available in a wide range of colours and finishes. It’s also strong, durable, non-porous, resistant to heat and scratching, and doesn’t require regular sealing. These qualities have made it a popular choice for our clients who require low maintenance kitchen worktops, but don’t wish to sacrifice aesthetics for practicality.
Quartz doesn’t just work well as a base unit countertop. For this design project, we capitalised on the material’s versatility and also used it to create a robust, yet very stylish, kitchen island with seating.
Stainless steel kitchen countertops
Stainless steel countertops used to be the sole preserve of commercial kitchens. They began to find their way into residential properties when industrial-style kitchens became popular. Today, stainless steel remains the material of choice for clients who are keen to create a chic, sleek minimalist aesthetic.
Looks aside, stainless steel offers plenty of practical benefits for your kitchen worktops. It’s hygienic, non-porous, heat-resistant and easy to clean. However, it is prone to dents and scratching. So, if you have a house full of young children, other options might be more suitable. I think of stainless steel as the Marmite of kitchen countertops. Aficionados won’t hear a word against it, but for some people it’s simply too clinical and cold for a kitchen environment.
Stainless steel worktops are the perfect partner for contemporary, minimalist settings, like this Regents Park project
Solid wood worktops
I recommend this material for clients who want their space to be feel warm, welcoming and homely. In other words, if you think that other materials seem too stark and soulless, wood is good! Wooden kitchen worktops suit both classic and contemporary design schemes. They are also a great way to add a dramatic accent, or to soften the look of an all-white palette.
We source environmentally-friendly wood, which is upcycled, or comes from sustainably-managed forests. It’s a clever choice if you like the idea of a worktop that has its own unique characteristics – wood develops a distinctive patina with use. However, it can scorch and scratch relatively easily. And you will need to oil any wooden worktops regularly to maintain their condition.
See how this wonderful wooden kitchen worktop adds warmth and character to this Wimbledon villa, complementing the neutral colour scheme and adding a stylish rustic vibe to a classic setting
Recycled glass kitchen countertops
This style is moving swiftly to become a more popular choice. We can adapt them to suit many different design styles, as they can be customised in terms of colour, shape, texture and finish. Think crushed glass, textured glass, back-painted glass and even glass with LED. A popular sustainable option, glass worktops are usually made from plant-based resins and recycled glass that’s been melted into a solid, single piece. Glass kitchen countertops are hygienic and hardwearing, although if they do occur, chips and cracks are difficult to repair.
Recycled glass was the obvious material for the kitchen countertops in this Greenwich Villa. The property features a distinctive, modern aesthetic throughout, enhanced by its white/neutral palette offset with bright pops of colour.