So you’ve decided to remodel your kitchen. You probably already have a Pinterest board chock full of images, a YouTube playlist with tons of videos on home renovations, and a notebook scribbled with drawings of what you want your kitchen to look like. 

While it’s easy to imagine, pulling off a kitchen renovation may prove to be a bit more difficult in practice.

A Kitchen Compromise

Close your eyes and imagine yourself making your morning coffee in a beautiful kitchen. How nice that image would be, wouldn’t it? It feels just like having your own little piece of heaven at home. 

Now, close your eyes again and think of everything you want to change—every little upgrade—then compute how much everything would cost. Pulled you right back to Earth, didn’t it? 

Oftentimes, letting your imagination run wild can lead to heartbreak. The reality is, we can’t have everything we want—but not to worry, you can still have the kitchen of your dreams! First, focus on what your kitchen truly needs, like a nicer countertop.

Who Cares About the Countertop?

The countertop is the focal point of your kitchen. No matter what your kitchen looks like, you can’t deny the countertop’s significance and how much it contributes to the tone and feel of the space. 

Countertop Trends for 2021

If you don’t know what to do with your countertop, don’t worry! Just read through our list of the hottest kitchen countertop trends for 2021 to find out what works for you.

Quartz is King

Quartz has dethroned granite as the king of kitchen countertops. Although granite countertop installations used to be the top option, its porosity issue just couldn’t be overlooked—which is why quartz became the preferred choice. 

Quartz is the high-end alternative to granite and is the perfect material for the San Rafael weather. It is super durable and non-porous, which makes it one of the most low-maintenance and hygienic countertop options available in the market! 

It also now comes in many colors, patterns, and finishing techniques, so you’d have a lot to choose from. No wonder it’s number one!

Honed vs. Leathered

Honed and leather surfaces are two of the most common finishes and can be applied to many different materials.

If you prefer a matte finish, a honed finish may be for you.  Your countertop will have a low sheen and smooth surface—although the overall look will still depend on the type of stone you choose.

If a sophisticated look is what you’re going for, you can try the leather finish. This finish is newer and has just recently become popular. It’s not as glossy as a polished slab, but it has a soft sheen and retains the stone’s natural color.

Veining and Patterns

Thanks to modern-day technology, there are now multiple creative solutions to bring character and style to homewners’ countertops.

If you want a little bit of pizzazz, you may want to vein your countertop instead. Realistic veining involves transforming different materials so that they resemble slabs of natural stone. It is done by creating veins in interesting patterns swirled into the countertop. 

This option will definitely boost the look of your whole kitchen.

Bold and Dramatic

If you want to create a statement, go for the drama. Keep in mind, however, that a bold countertop can look very gothic if it isn’t harmonious with the other areas of your kitchen.

Sustainable Alternatives

Choosing environment-friendly materials for your kitchen renovation is both a responsible and creative decision.

Going sustainable means thinking out of the box—and excluding conventional options means making use of alternatives, like recycled glass and white cement, that give a beautifully unique look to your kitchen. 

Concrete Designs

The growing demand for a refined Urban aesthetic has led to the use of concrete to kitchen countertops. This hip type of countertop gives off a modern and industrial look that fits the Californian aesthetic while having almost the same qualities of quartz—and possibly better.

Conclusion

The kitchen countertop is an important part of your kitchen. This is where most meals are made and where laughter is shared. There might be a lot of pressure into having just the right countertop, but hopefully this list has made it easier for you to figure out what you want and what works for your home.

Miconi Marble & Tile has become the premiere home remodeling company in California with the best selection of stones and tiles to choose from. If you feel overwhelmed or lost with your kitchen renovation, leave it to us! You can visit our San Rafael showroom or give us a call at 415-482-8453 to find out more about our services.