5 SHOWSTOPPER SURFACES FOR TODAY’S STYLISH CULINARY KITCHENS
By Karen Kirk
January 2024
If you're planning a kitchen renovation in 2024, choosing the right surface material for countertops, backsplashes and islands is crucial. Kitchen surfaces are not only a functional part of the kitchen but also a decorative element that can add style and personality to your space. There’s a clear return to bolder, more statement-making moments and personality-packed elements with an organic and textural quality but with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. In this blog post, we'll explore a few designer projects that feature my top five kitchen surface materials to consider when renovating in 2024.
What’s your favourite look?
1. Quartz
Quartz is made from engineered stone, which is a mixture of natural quartz and resin. Durable, low-maintenance, and resistant to scratches, stains, and heat, they are available in a wide range of colors and patterns, making them a versatile option for any kitchen style. No sealing is required and can be maintained with soap and water.
Design: Kate & Co @kateandcodesigninc
2. Stainless Steel
The quickest way to bring a professional vibe to your home’s meal prep zone is by incorporating a restaurant-kitchen hallmark: stainless steel for countertops, backsplashes and even tabletops as shown here. This 100 per cent recyclable material is durable, stain-resistant, and heat-tolerant and can be easily customized in various finishes and edge profiles to create a sophisticated contemporary look. This reflective surface blends in with nearly any aesthetic, much as a stainless-steel sink or Thermador appliances can pick up the color temperature of its surroundings. No need for a sealing process, as required with granite, butcherblock, or concrete countertops, sanitary stainless-steel tops and backsplashes can easily be cleaned with a good quality stainless steel cleaner.
Design: PCD Studios @pcdstudios
Photo: Tom Bryan Photography
3. Concrete
For tabletops, countertops and islands, concrete continues to grow in popularity as an excellent choice for modern and industrial-style kitchens. Made by pouring concrete into a mold and allowing it to cure, this durable, heat-resistant material can be customized to fit any size or shape in a range of colours with a polished or a matte finish. Requires sealing. Here designer Tiffanie Holbrook furnished the dining area with a concrete-topped table that picks up on the soft gray tones of the Thermador stainless-steel coffee machine and undercounter fridge.
Design: Simply Made Home @simplymadehome
4. Wood/Butcher Block
Butcher block countertops are a classic option that can add warmth and texture to your kitchen. This kitchen features a solid oak waterfall island that offers a modern alternative to the classic butcher block look. They are made from wood and are available in a range of species, including maple, oak, and cherry. Butcher block countertops are easy to clean and can be sanded and resealed if they become scratched or stained. Thermador ventilation shown.
Design: Naked Kitchen via Pinterest
5.
It's not the soapstone that’s used for carving sculptures but a high-quality architectural-grade, durable natural black quarried stone. A metamorphic rock (rocks that have “morphed” into another kind of rock), it’s formed over millions of years by heat and pressure deep inside the earth. This non-porous, heat- and stain-resistant stone features natural veining that moves gracefully across each unique slab in soft grey, green and white creating a dramatic effect in kitchen as shown here in Sarah Robertson’s design.
Design: Studio Dearborn @studiodearborn
