7 Kitchen Countertop Colors and Materials Going Out of Style

A neutral kitchen with black countertops and a marble countertop on the island — (Image credit: C2 Design Co.)

Your countertops are one of the most pivotal features within your kitchen – and not to mention, one of the most expensive. From the material to the color, it's a feature that needs to truly stand the test of time.

So it goes without saying that our kitchen countertop ideas deserve some careful thought to ensure you choose a design that still feels in style 10 years from now. And knowing what feels dated and what's a timeless countertop trend is a great place to start.

Your kitchen countertops are not easily changed – it's a much larger endeavour than simply painting a new color on the walls or swapping out hardware. The key to a successful selection is choosing a material, color, and design that have enduring appeal, which means avoiding these 7 out-of-style choices.

1. All-Neutral Slabs With No Interest

A red and white kitchen with a wooden island and green leathered quartzite countertops — This kitchen hits the mark for several in-style looks, including the 'green leathered quartzite on the counters, paired with walnut slab on an island and Calacatta on the backsplash. All from ABC stone,' says Andrew.

For decades, trends were dominated by the clean aesthetic, and kitchens took the brunt of the trend. Sleek lines and light neutrals were favored for a more minimal look, but it's one that designers say is starting to feel a bit lacklustre.

'Neutrals, while always safe, have lost their appeal. We find people are enthusiastic about color and a more sculptural statement. The gloves are off, and they want something that inspires them,' says architect Andrew Franz, noting that quartzite is a great alternative for high performance and durability.

And these pared-back countertop colors are being replaced by something far more vibrant. 'Neutrals are being replaced by colorful marbles and more quartzites. Violets and reds are the front-runners, but greens, golds, and blues are there too.'

2. Taj Mahal Quartzite

wooden kitchen with dark quartzite island — The moody quartzite island becomes the focal point of the kitchen of this modernist home, adding drama in a sophisticated way.

As an antidote to the endless all-white schemes, warmer stone alternatives have flooded the market as a more tasteful alternative. And while it still has its place in designs, there's one countertop material that has fallen victim to overuse.

'I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Taj Mahal quartzite is out. I'm already discouraging clients from using it because it will time-stamp a kitchen. It rose to monumental popularity so quickly that it is already in the category of been there, done that,' says Leah Hook, founder and principal designer of Gray Oak Studio.

The alternative? Leah echoes Andrew's recommendation of more colorful materials, as well as more textured ones. 'Quartzite with color and interest is having a moment, as well as leathered natural stone. It's the reaction to all the clean, smooth, white spaces that lasted for so long. Designers (and homeowners alike) want more vibrant and textural spaces.'

3. Stark, Cool-Toned Countertops

An open plan kitchen with green cabinetry and island with brown marble countertops — By bringing in countertops with brown tones running through, designer Laura Stephens has achieved a beautifully warm finish that still feels light and airy.

Whites and grays were once the dominant choice for countertops, especially if you wanted to achieve a high-end look. But trends have shifted, and what was once the pinnacle of a luxury kitchen now just feels cold and uninspiring.

'Good countertops don’t really go out of style; loud ones do. The look that’s cooling off is the all-cool-grey, bright-white-quartz-everything palette that ran the 2010s, along with the high-drama veining where the grey “river” cuts across the slab,' says Michael Winn, Founder and Principal of WINN Design + Build.

'Stark white countertops are starting to feel overly clinical within the contemporary kitchen,' agrees Katie Parry Stone, Retail Expert at Cosentino. 'In practice, these surfaces can be incredibly unforgiving; marks, scratches, and general wear are far more visible over time, which can ultimately detract from the home's overall aesthetic.'

Instead, warmer tones with contrast and visual interest are infinitely more timeless and characterful, with a real focus on earthy tones this year. 'Softer, more natural palettes are taking their place, with warm neutrals, earthy tones, and muted stone-inspired colors becoming the preferred choice. These shades bring a sense of balance to the kitchen and sit more comfortably within the wider scheme, rather than dominating it.'

4. Laminate is Out

A porcelain countertop and backsplash with a marbled pattern — This kitchen proves you can blend the best of style and durability – the countertops are porcelain with a marbled pattern, creating a high-end look.

For most people, durability is the key consideration when choosing kitchen countertop colors and materials, and rightly so. But visual appeal also deserves consideration if you want your kitchen to still feel just as in style in a decade as it does today.

And laminate countertops just aren't doing the job. 'There is a clear move away from laminate surfaces. While they have been a practical option for many years, they tend to lack the depth and authenticity of mineral-based materials,' says Katie.

'As a printed surface, laminate does not have the same variation, tactility, or way of interacting with light, which can make it feel more two-dimensional.' Porcelain countertops are a better man-made option for a balance of durability and aesthetic design.

Alternatively, the natural stone route never disappoints. Interior designer Kate Hartman recommends 'marble, quartzite, soapstone, or any other natural stone' as a better choice than man-made materials for a blend of style and function.

5. Timber Overload

A contemporary kitchen with dark blue cabinets, a marble countersplash, and a marble waterfall island with a wooden counter to the seating area — In this kitchen, wood and stone countertops have been combined to create a softer, more dynamic feel, adding warmth in all the right places.

Wooden kitchens have proven to be one of the most timeless design choices, with oak cabinets rising to the top of trends. But a kitchen filled with only wooden countertops isn't quite as stylish right now.

'Timber applied as a full countertop surface is becoming less common in luxury kitchens, largely due to the maintenance and care required,' notes Isabella Pacelli, Junior Sales Designer at Roundhouse Design.

That doesn't mean you can't introduce wooden countertops, though, especially in country kitchens that call for a more rustic look. Instead, designers are recommending a mixed countertop material approach, pairing wood with a contrasting material.

'Instead, we are seeing timber used in conjunction with materials such as natural stone, through layering as seen in this project. Timber is a neutral and versatile material, making it very timeless and easy on the eye,' she explains.

6. Quartz Kitchen Countertops

A large kitchen with beige cabinets, a wooden island, marble island countertops, and black granite perimeter countertops — The mix of natural stone countertops in this kitchen instantly creates a more elevated, luxurious look.

Quartz countertops may have had their moment, but it's a material that designers are tired of seeing. It's not only overdone, but it lacks the character and unique appeal that homeowners are really craving from their kitchens this year.

'The bright white quartz countertops with dramatic gray veining and overly polished cool-toned surfaces are beginning to feel overdone and less authentic. Clients are moving away from highly manufactured looks and gravitating toward warmer, more natural materials with softer movement and texture,' says Corinne Ekle, Principal Interior Designer at C2 Design Co.

Natasia Smith and Sandy Baisley, co-founders of RE-FIND, agree, adding: 'Natural stone is the better option, and has always been a timeless choice. Granite, marble, soapstone, just to name a few. There was a shift from these, which came from fear of damaging countertops. A lived-in home is supposed to show just that-life! We feel a beautifully patinated stone adds warmth and character to a space.'

Instead of choosing a countertop material purely for performance purposes, in 2026, the choice is being made in cohesion with the rest of the design. 'We are seeing more layered kitchens with mixed materials that bring warmth, character, and a collected feel to the space,' adds Corinne, who also recommends natural stones with subtle veining and honed finishes.

7. Ultra-Glossy Countertop Materials

An olive green kitchen with marble countertops and a countersplash — Honed marble countertops in this space allow light to reflect in a subtle way, rather than creating the blinding effect you can sometimes get with glossier finishes.

Different countertop materials are often suited to certain design aesthetics thanks to the look they create, with glossier countertops historically favored in more contemporary kitchens. But it's a finish designers are gravitating away from in 2026.

'One trend I'm seeing lose momentum is ultra-glossy countertop surfaces. While they were popular for their sleek, contemporary appearance, I find that they can feel a bit artificial and overly polished,' says interior designer Jessica Gersten.

'Design preferences are shifting toward spaces that feel more authentic, grounded, and connected to nature. We're seeing a move toward natural materials and matte finishes, such as quartzite, soapstone, and honed stone surfaces. Homeowners are gravitating toward organic textures and a more timeless, natural look,' she explains.

The key to designing a kitchen that feels effortless and timeless is to choose materials that adhere to that look. Avoiding outdated kitchen countertop trends is always a great place to start, as is looking to inspiring kitchen ideas that have the designer seal of approval.

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I’ve worked in the interiors magazine industry for the past five years and joined Homes & Gardens at the beginning of 2024 as the Kitchens & Bathrooms editor. While I love every part of interior design, kitchens and bathrooms are some of the most exciting to design, conceptualize, and write about. There are so many trends, materials, colors, and playful decor elements to explore and experiment with.