Selecting the right material for your kitchen countertops is crucial. The material you choose affects what your kitchen looks like, but also its durability and functionality. One of the most popular options for kitchen countertops is quartz. Quartz is versatile, coming in many different colors and patterns. It can be made into different shapes, which makes it more flexible than natural stone slabs. You can design quartz kitchen countertops in many different ways. They work for kitchens in a lot of different styles, so they shouldn't limit what you choose to do.
Whether you are designing a kitchen for yourself or for a client, quartz countertops can complete the look. If you're looking for quartz kitchen countertop inspiration, keep reading to find some ideas for your kitchen design.
What Is Quartz?
Quartz is a hard mineral, which is ground up to create an engineered stone that can be used for countertops and more. The quartz particles are mixed with resins to form the material, which can be engineered into different shapes. The nature of quartz means that it can be made to look like certain natural stones, such as marble or granite, or made with different colors and patterns.
The Benefits of Quartz Countertops
Quartz countertops have some excellent benefits. Their many applications make them ideal for all kinds of kitchens. If you're trying to decide between quartz and other materials for your countertops, it's worth comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Knowing the benefits of quartz countertops will help you make the right decision.
Affordable
One of the top benefits of quartz is its affordability. They can give the look of natural stone but without the large price tag of stones like marble and granite. Because quartz is an engineered stone, which doesn't actually contain that much quartz, it's cheaper to make. So if you're looking for a cost-effective but stylish solution for your countertops, quartz is the way to go.
Sustainable
Sustainability has become more important than ever when designing a new kitchen. If making eco-friendly choices is a priority for you, you'll love quartz. Most of the stone-like materials used in quartz countertops are waste products from other quarrying activities. Since no natural stone is quarried just to make quartz countertops, it's a greener option compared to slabs of natural stone. The resins used in quartz countertops are becoming more eco-friendly too.
Versatile
The versatility of quartz is another big point in its favor. One issue with natural stone is that it can generally only be bought in solid slabs. It can't really be shaped, although it can be cut into different shapes. If you want long lengths of countertops, you will end up with joins between different pieces of stone. Large pieces of stone will be more expensive. But with quartz, it can be engineered into any shape and size you want. That makes for smooth surfaces with no need for joining sections. Quartz can be made in plenty of different colors and patterns too, so it can even look like natural stone.
Durability and Ease of Care
Lastly, quartz is easy to care for. It's durable and will last a long time, making it an excellent choice. Quartz countertops are nonporous, so they don't need to be sealed, unlike granite. It doesn't scratch easily and, if there are any scratches, it's easy to fix.
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Winning Quartz Kitchen Countertop Concepts
When there's so much you can do with quartz countertops, there's certainly no lack of inspiration. No matter what style you're going for in your kitchen design, there are plenty of options to explore when choosing quartz countertops.
Explore Different Colors
One of the best things about quartz is that it can be made in just about any color. Some people might like a natural stone look, but others want to explore the full color spectrum. Neutral colors like black, white, or gray are often top choices. However, there's much more to consider if you want to get creative. You could choose a dark, deep color such as a navy blue or forest green. Or if you want to get really bright and colorful, what about orange or pink? Within these colors, there's a range of shades and patterns to explore too.
Colorful quartz countertops could be combined with more neutral kitchen cabinets. Let your countertops do the talking while other kitchen features take a backseat. Or if you would rather stick with a neutral quartz color, you might want to make other parts of your kitchen more colorful to create contrast. Choose white quartz and pair it with blue cabinets, for example.
Imitate Natural Stone
The ability of quartz to imitate natural stone is one of the best things about it, especially because it's the cheaper option. Quartz can be made to look like stones such as marble and granite, and can even imitate it in different colors and patterns. If you love the look of stone but want something durable and a little cheaper, quartz could be the option for you. It gives a luxury look at a lower cost, so it's perfect for designing a sophisticated space. Natural stone is timeless too, helping to create kitchens that will look good for a long time.
Quartz can be made to imitate other materials too, such as concrete.
Consider Different Shapes
As an engineered stone material, quartz can be made into various different shapes. This is great news for countertops because it allows you to consider a variety of designs. If you want to go beyond plain lengths of countertops, there are several options you might consider.
Waterfall countertops extend beyond the top, curving down to the floor for a modern and seamless look. Instead of straight edges, you could consider countertops with rounded edges. This is a particularly good choice for your kitchen island. Quartz can be cut into just about any shape, so there are ways to get creative and order custom countertops.
Coordinating Countertops with Other Features
When you're considering quartz kitchen countertop designs, you have to think about them in the context of the rest of the kitchen. How will you coordinate them with other features in the kitchen? Do you want them to match or contrast with elements like the cabinets, floor, backsplash, or other kitchen features?
One idea is to match your countertops to something else in the kitchen. This could be the floors or the backsplash, for example. You can bring the whole design of the kitchen together by matching a couple of different elements. If you prefer contrasting or complementing instead of exact matching, there are plenty of other options. White or black quartz countertops can be paired with lots of other colors to get various effects. You can also consider how the gloss look of your countertops could blend with more matte finishes of materials such as wood.
Mix Different Styles
Using more than one style for your quartz countertops could be a fun idea. Instead of having every surface the same, you can combine two designs for an interesting effect. Try having one quartz pattern for your kitchen island and another for your main countertops. You could also use quartz for part of your kitchen and consider a similar material for other features. For example, mix real marble with quartz to get a combination of different effects.
Make Your Farmhouse Kitchen Modern
If you're looking for specific styles for your kitchen where quartz will work well, consider a modern farmhouse kitchen. Farmhouse kitchens can create a timeless look, especially if you take steps to bring them a bit more up to date. Quartz countertops are perfect for this, allowing you to mix modern surfaces with some more traditional features. You could choose shaker-style cabinets and a deep farmhouse sink and combine them with some sleek quartz countertops for that contemporary touch. Using light and neutral colors will help to continue the modern theme and help your kitchen look light and airy.
Take a look at our farmhouse sinks to customize yours. Each product page features our 3D rendering tool, so you can customize your sink in real time before you get a quote.
Get a Luxurious Look
Quartz is perfect for bringing some luxury into your kitchen but without the luxe price tag. It may be more expensive than options such as laminate, but it will save you money compared to natural stone. If you want to design a luxurious kitchen, the natural stone look might be your first thought for your countertops. However, there are other options if you're using quartz. Plain black or white can give you a great effect, or you can even choose quartz countertops that imitate polished concrete for a modern style. You don't have to go with faux marble or pretend granite if you don't want to.
Add a Retro Feel
Thanks to the range of colors available for quartz countertops, it can be a good choice if you want to give your kitchen a retro or vintage feel. With so many colors available, you can achieve your desired effect in a few different ways. Maybe you want a 1950s-style retro kitchen. You could choose bright red quartz countertops to create the look that you want. Or if you're thinking about going a little further back in time, some marble-style quartz could give you a Victorian kitchen with both modern and vintage features.
Combine Different Materials
Quartz has a beautiful finish, but you won't be using it for everything in your kitchen. This gives you the chance to mix in various other materials that will complement and highlight your lovely quartz surfaces. Consider mixing a range of natural materials and finishes such as wood or different metals. Make use of copper, brass, or stainless steel for your appliances or other elements in your kitchen. Choose a natural wood finish for your cabinets, or perhaps a gloss finish to provide a high shine.
You'll need to think about the floors, walls, lighting, appliances, cabinets, and other elements in your kitchen. All of these allow you to play around with different materials and see what effects various combinations might have.
Include a Kitchen Island
When you're planning your kitchen countertops, it's worth your time to think about whether to add a kitchen island. An island can be a multifunctional place to sit and prepare food. It provides a focal point in your kitchen and can be a smart way to use the space you have available. It's also excellent for expanding the storage space that you have. Your kitchen island surface could match your other countertops, or you might choose an alternative color, texture, or even material. Quartz could be the right choice for both your countertops and kitchen island or you could use it for one or the other. Use a different color for your kitchen island and you can make sure it stands out.
Find Inspiration for Quartz Kitchen Countertops
You can find inspiration for quartz kitchen countertops from a number of different sources. Look at companies that design and install them to browse through their quartz kitchen countertop gallery. You can get a lot of inspiration from viewing what others have chosen to do with their kitchen designs. Just browsing what products are available is useful too. Explore the colors and shapes that are possible with quartz so you can start thinking about what your countertops could look like.
When you're looking for the right kitchen elements to go with your quartz countertops, don't forget to explore our range of metal products. Our heritage designs are perfect for everything from traditional kitchens to modern marvels and timeless decor too. Browse our sinks, range hoods, and tables to customize our products in copper, brass, and stainless steel. You can see what your product will look like as you make your choices, and we will send you your 3D rendering with your quote. Take a look at our image gallery to see how our customers have combined our products with quartz countertops.
