Probably the most popular and best kitchen countertop materials at this time is quartz, or engineered stone. Quartz is incredibly sturdy and resistant to many of the issues that may plague other countertop materials, making it hygienic and easy to maintain.

Available in a wide variety of colors and textures thanks to being an engineered stone, quartz is a very popular option for countertops due to its versatility and general appeal. It comes in veined, fine-grained, coarse-grained, or plain designs.

One of the most popular countertop materials, granite is a highly desirable countertop material for its durability, hardiness, and distinct appearance. Due to granite’s popularity, it’s more widely available and more affordable than it used to be, though it’s still on the upper end of the spectrum since it’s natural stone

Granite comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns, so it’s easy to personalize with your cabinets and flooring. Keep in mind that granite countertops can also feature multiple color tones, so pay attention to the shades to create the aesthetic you want.

.

A very trendy and beautiful countertop material, marble countertops are another desirable natural stone option on the high-end side. Marble comes in two forms: honed and polished. Honed marble is porous and has a matte appearance, where polished marble has a protective surface with a shiny sheen.

Marble comes in a variety of natural colors, making it versatile when it comes to styling. It often features veining or natural mineral deposits that are quite stunning. Note that the more popular or appealing the marble, the higher the cost.

.

Relatively new on the scene, Dekton countertops are an engineered material combining natural stone, porcelain, and ceramic with heat and pressure to create an incredibly durable countertop material, some say almost indestructible. It was constructed to surpass even engineered stone (quartz) resilience, which makes it a great choice for kitchens, bathrooms, bars, etc.

Full body colors, marble veining, or other patterns are available in Dekton countertops. Three textures can be applied: Xgloss, Ultramatte, and Ultratexture. Other finishes can also be applied to enhance your chosen aesthetic.

.

The most affordable countertop material option available, laminate countertops can be surprisingly durable. Particleboard, resins, plastic, and a paper featuring the design seared together with heat and pressure make up laminate countertops that can work well in kitchens.

Laminate countertops can be made-to-order after measuring, so the design possibilities are extensive. Laminate can take on the appearance of stone, wood, solid colors, or patterns, making it flexible in terms of styling.

.

Another fairly affordable countertop material is butcher block, which can be applied to one section of your countertop or the whole of your base cabinetry layout, depending on the functionality you want in your kitchen counter. Butcher blocks are often composed of natural wood slabs like maple, oak, teak, ash, or even bamboo—each of which comes with their own unique appearance and properties.

Butcher block adds a beautiful natural element to your kitchen that works well with farmhouse, rustic, or cottage styles. It pairs well with painted cabinets or white shaker cabinets to complete the modern farmhouse kitchen look. .

Concrete countertops have become more trendy and stylish as of late. Poured, set, and sealed into the shape of your desired countertop, concrete or cement countertops can incorporate pigments or other materials like glass mixed in to create a unique look in your kitchen. Since concrete is very heavy once it is set, it’s handmade to the customer’s needs.

Pigmenting can be added to the cement to change its shade. And once it’s installed, concrete countertops can be acid-stained, polished, or stamped to be further personalized.

Concrete countertops fit in nicely with industrial, modern, or rustic styles.