Stone kitchen countertop designs come in many different formats. There are plenty of stone countertop styles and ideas you can run with in your kitchen. Each one has its own pros and cons, but that doesn’t mean there’s a “perfect” solution for everyone. At the end of the day, it all comes down to personal preferences.
Today, we’ll go through a host of stone kitchen countertop ideas to inspire you for your kitchen renovation or remodel. You’ll find different types of stone to use as your countertop, along with some advice on overall kitchen design to make everything look fabulous!
What Is A Stone Countertop?
Stone countertops are classified as any counter or worktop that’s constructed using stone materials. Typically, you have two different categories:
- Natural stone countertops
- Engineered stone countertops
Natural stone options will consist of a type of natural stone. It’s cut from a quarry and then installed in your kitchen. Yes, a sealant is provided to give it a nice shine - and to make it even more durable. But, you’re basically getting a very natural option that only consists of the natural stone you’ve chosen.
Engineered stone kitchen countertops involve a more complex process. Here, small pieces of crushed stone are mixed together with resin. The resin is primarily made up of other materials like colored glass or metals to give a unique aesthetic effect. They are still largely made from stone, but the manufacturing process is not as simple as cutting stone slabs, shaping them, etc.
Popular Stone Kitchen Countertop Concepts
We know you’re mainly here to look for stone kitchen countertop ideas, so we won’t disappoint. There are plenty of options out there and we’ve compiled a list of the top five stone countertop designs for your kitchen.
Each one will be listed, we’ll explain what they are, and we’ll even provide a few pros and cons to help you decide which choice is the best one for your kitchen area.
Granite
Granite has been used in many designer kitchens for decades. It’s an incredibly versatile stone that offers exceptional durability and will handle hot things with ease. It also stands up well to water and moisture - which is ideal in a kitchen setting where spillages happen all the time.
One of the reasons granite has become so popular is that it boasts lots of color styles. This natural stone is available in many hues and patterns, so it’s fairly easy to find one that matches the overall aesthetic of your kitchen space.
Biggest advantages of granite:
- A very durable kitchen countertop material
- Resistant to heat and water
- Comes in lots of cool patterns
- Readily available and easy to find
- Very easy to wipe clean
The main disadvantages of granite:
- It can be very expensive
- Needs to be re-sealed every 10-15 years
- Installation is tricky
Marble
If you are looking for a high-quality stone countertop that’ll turn heads and spark conversations, marble is a fantastic option. It’s definitely known as one of the classier stone kitchen countertop designs on the market right now. Primarily, this is down to the unique design that makes it look super aesthetically pleasing.
You can find this stone in a good range of colors, but the main allure is the veining through the stone. It adds a nice splash of contrast that can blend well with other accents in your kitchen. For example, a white marble counter with black veining goes incredibly well with a black metal sink on your countertop as the flecks of black are brought out even more by the sink.
Moving away from the strong aesthetics, marble is also a practical stone material. It’s naturally resistant to heat, meaning a misplaced hot pan won’t cause any damage. There’s a good level of durability here too as marble isn’t prone to cracking or chipping. The only issue is that it can receive surface-level scratches if it isn’t sealed frequently. If you’re willing to keep up with the maintenance, it could be the dream option for you.
The benefits of marble:
- An absolutely stunning natural stone
- Loads of funky colors with veining
- Very durable
- Heat-resistant
- Hard to crack
The drawbacks of marble:
- It comes with a premium price
- Probably requires the most maintenance with annual sealing
Soapstone
Soapstone is a natural stone that you may not have heard of, but you might’ve come across in other people’s kitchens. It’s growing in popularity for one main reason: it’s completely nonporous. This means it doesn’t have any tiny holes in the stone, so it won’t require any sealing whatsoever.
Immediately, this makes it easier and cheaper to install than most as you can skip a step at the end. Moreover, soapstone is completely resistant to heat, stains, and water. So, it’s very easy for you to clean and maintain.
From a visual perspective, most soapstone is either gray or has a slight blue tinge to it. It’s definitely a great option if you want a dark countertop to contrast white cabinets or lighter elements in your kitchen. In comparison to other stone kitchen countertop concepts, soapstone isn’t as durable or resistant to heavy impacts. However, it has a unique effect where a pattern can develop in the stone when damaged. This almost mimics the veining you see in marble, which is pretty cool.
The main soapstone pros:
- Non-porous and doesn’t require regular sealing
- Stands up well to heat and water
- Is visually quite unique and comes in a few color variations
- Relatively easy to install compared to other countertops
The main soapstone cons:
- Isn’t the most durable material
- Requires monthly maintenance during the first year - after this, it’s much easier to maintain
Quartz
Quartz is the main engineered stone material sweeping the industry. It’s composed of natural quartz pieces blended with lots of other minerals. The result is a product with the strength and durability of natural stone but with a unique visual appearance.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of choosing engineered stone like quartz is that you open the door to so many design options. Because the quartz is blended with other minerals, you can find lots of colors, patterns, and unique designs to pick from. From a purely aesthetic point of view, this is your best option.
Additionally, quartz counters are very easy to maintain and look after. They’re resistant to bacteria and mold, which is perfect if you’re in a place where food gets prepared. Unlike marble, it’s also non-porous, so you don’t have to worry about things like staining or moisture. The big downside is mainly that it doesn’t have the heat resistance of other counters. So, be careful when placing hot stuff down - find a heat-resistant mat to protect your quartz counter.
Quartz countertop advantages:
- Looks the best out of every stone counter
- Very easy maintenance
- Non-porous so cleans easily and resists stains
- The widest variety of color options
- Maintains high levels of durability
Quartz countertop disadvantages
- Can be damaged by extreme heat
- Shouldn’t be placed in direct sunlight as the color can fade
Concrete
Concrete countertops are extremely rare, but they do exist. Most people won’t opt for this option as it does tend to be the most expensive. Concrete is a very heavy material with excellent durability, but it can be difficult to install. It’s also highly porous, which means regular sealing and maintenance is necessary.
So, why would you bother considering this kitchen countertop design? Simply put, you want to do something different! If you want a kitchen counter that really stands out and you’re unlikely to find it in your friends’ homes, this is the choice for you. It works really well in rustic or industrial-chic style kitchens but perhaps looks a tiny bit out of place in modern interior design.
The big advantages of concrete:
- Highly durable and heat resistant
- Resists surface-level scratches better than any other stone counter
- Will last for decades and still look good
The big disadvantages of concrete:
- It’s very expensive
- Difficult to install
- Requires a lot of maintenance
- Extremely porous and can stain easily
Tips For Choosing Stone Kitchen Countertops
Hopefully, the previous section fuels you with some brilliant stone kitchen countertop inspiration. The question is, which one do you choose? It’s important to note there is no right or wrong answer here. One stone counter may suit you better than others. At the same time, another homeowner may prefer a different variant - it’s all down to you and your unique requirements.
With that in mind, here are some helpful tips to guide you through the decision-making process:
- Know your budget - Immediately, set a budget for your kitchen renovation project. Similarly, decide how much of your budget will go on the kitchen countertop. This will help you figure out which materials are within your budget or not, narrowing down the options for many.
- Consider your kitchen design - The most important factor is your kitchen design. If you’re replacing counters, think about how the new ones will look in your kitchen. Will they match the other aesthetics? If you’re running a complete renovation or building a new kitchen from scratch, ensure that everything pairs well together. You want to avoid color or stylistic clashes. For instance, picking a modern stone countertop design - like granite - might not work in a kitchen that’s designed to look more traditional and old.
- Keep maintenance in mind - Are you willing to keep up with regular maintenance if required? Some stone counters need constant care and attention while others only need a basic clean after use. Think about how much maintenance a material needs before you install it.
- Think about color choices - We touched upon colors when talking about your kitchen design, but it’s important to think about which stone countertops can provide the colors you’re looking for. In many cases, this is a deciding factor! If you need a counter in a specific color, it could rule out all bar one options.
- Consider your kitchen layout - Finally, think about the way your kitchen is laid out. This is particularly important for things like quartz stone countertops. If the counters are exposed to lots of natural sunlight during the day, you need to be 100% sure they won’t fade over time.
Keep all of these things in mind, and you will soon narrow down your search for the perfect stone kitchen countertop. Don’t be afraid to take your time; this is a big decision, so you want to ensure you make the right choice!
Enhance Your Kitchen Counters With World CopperSmith
Stone kitchen countertops are a wonderful addition to your kitchen, but they’re not the only thing you need. In fact, you can enhance the visual appeal of your stone counters by pairing them with gorgeous metal sinks, range hoods, and tabletops.
At World CopperSmith, we have a range of products that are perfect for this. Our range hoods come in many metal variants and finishes, so they can contrast or compliment the stone counters below. Likewise, our metal sinks sit perfectly on your counter and can be used to highlight different aspects of their design. Round everything off with a stunning kitchen table in a plethora of metals or styles, tying everything together perfectly.
The benefit of combining metal finishes with big bold stone kitchen countertops is that you have this wonderful juxtaposition of textures and colors. Plus, both materials work well in any kitchen, regardless of the unique design you’re going for.
If you’re looking to create the perfect kitchen, head to our product pages and use our innovative 3D configurator to manufacture the perfect accompaniments to your stone kitchen countertops. You’re able to pick different colors, styles, and designs for our range hoods, sinks, and tables, seeing how they look before you buy! When you’re ready, click here to get a free quote for any of our incredible services and begin your kitchen renovation journey today.
