Inspiring Upscale Countertops

What’s Trending: Inspiring Upscale Countertops

While many homeowners still love the traditional, elegant look of granite in basic shades, there’s also a whole new wave of kitchen countertop design, where the focus isn’t just on having a high-end material, but also on utilizing bold colors, patterns and overall design.

Among the multitudes of kitchen countertop options, here are some looks and trends that work particularly well for 2014 and beyond:

Two-In-One Design

Perhaps one of the biggest trends in kitchen design right now is the mixing of two different materials in one space, or even just two different colors.

For example, combine a traditional natural stone slab in a material like quartz or granite, with something like wood or stainless steel. When utilizing two different types of materials it can serve to not only add visual interest, but also to designate spaces and "zones" within a kitchen.

Another great way to incorporate the two-in-one kitchen countertop trend is through the use of contrasting shades of the same stone, like combining a pure white marble on a kitchen island, along with a bold black quartz countertop throughout the perimeter of the kitchen.

Thick Tops

Traditionally natural stone slabs are cut to a thickness of just over an inch for kitchen countertops, but now the focus, particularly in high-end design, is about thickness—often somewhere around two inches, or more for daring homeowners.

The impact is amazing visually, but since thicker stone is more expensive, a good alternative to using it throughout the kitchen is to just use it on an island, or even on a bathroom vanity. This way, homeowners can enjoy the optical appeal of having a very thick stone slab on countertops, without the high cost of installing it throughout an entire kitchen.

Stunning Gemstones

For homeowners that love drama, or simply want kitchen countertops that become a work of art, one of the newest and most innovative trends in countertop design is the use of surfaces that include gemstones.

The look is daring, original, and it can’t be replicated with any other kitchen countertop material.

Antolini Luigi offers a couple of different collections of gemstone countertops, available in a range of vibrant hues including aqua, emerald green, ocean blue and ruby red.

In addition to featuring an array of effervescent colors, gemstone countertops also have prominent patterns.

Lighting plays an important role when designing with gemstone countertops, because it’s all about utilizing light in a way that best showcases all of the intricate details of the stones and their natural characteristics.

Curving Cuts

No longer are homeowners restricted to straight lines when it comes to kitchen countertops. A beautiful trend being seen more and more is the use of curvaceous countertop designs.

Whether it’s a countertop with a gentle curve, or an island with an entirely rounded shape, utilizing curves in a kitchen is not just on point with design trends—it can also improve the sense of movement and flow in the space, and soften areas that are typically more angular and harsh.

In terms of functionality, when planned appropriately curved countertops can simultaneously create more work space and take advantage of the available storage in a kitchen.

Countertops, more than ever before, are the primary focus of home design, and there continues to be expanding opportunities for homeowners to express their personal tastes, create a home that reflects their unique vision, and utilize the most beautiful natural stone products in the process.