Counter Culture

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From dinner prep, snacks, crafts, and homework in the kitchen to morning and bedtime routines in the bath, counters are the surfaces on which life happens. Mandi Clark, Royal Flooring’s cabinet and countertop specialist, says that making the right selections is important to how your rooms look, function and stand the test of time.

Material Matters
When considering countertops, a decision on material — stone, quartzite, quartz, etc. — usually rises to the top. “We are starting to see porcelain and sintered stone — an ultra-compact man-made surface — becoming really popular because they offer a natural look,” Clark said. Sintered stone is available in a variety of textures, matte and high-gloss finishes, as well as many patterns that mimic the look of natural stone but, unlike stone, are virtually indestructible. “And you can use sintered stone for showers, fireplace surrounds and even exterior facades,” Clark said. “The price point is in line with quartzite and higher-end quartz.”

Quartz, another human-made product, is nonporous and therefore one of the most maintenance-free options for countertops. For the same durability at a lower price, consider a porcelain countertop, similar to large-format tiles . “Porcelain slabs for counters are basically the same as tile but a larger, thicker format,” Clark said.

“Make sure you’re going with a reputable installer,” Clark said. “A good one can make a world of difference on any type of countertop.”

Color Cues
No matter the material, just like the trends in paint color and cabinets {link to Royal’s jan-feb trends article}, “everything is getting more organic and nature-inspired,” Clark said. “For countertops, I see a lot of the softer greens, taupes and creams. Still keeping it light, but not white.”

Technology Forward
While color and material choices are moving back to natural looks, advances in technology are pushing countertops into the future. Now, wireless charging units can be built into counters. “The underside of the countertop is milled out to create a pocket and the unit mounts inside. On the countertop, you see an illuminated rectangle and place your device on it for charging,” Clark said. “The light disappears when you’re not using it, so you can’t tell it’s there.” The new technology, she said, is exclusive to FreePower, one of Royal Flooring’s suppliers.

Application Wins
Clark said several trends are emerging in how homeowners are using countertop material beyond the counter. A full-height kitchen backsplash can be a dramatic visual. “The material is easy to clean and there are no grout lines,” Clark said. Creating narrow ledges to run along the top edge of a backsplash or floating shelves are additional ways to use a counter material. “Waterfall ends on islands, where the material covers the vertical ends and connects the counter to the floor, are popular,” she said. And custom shapes on bath and powder room backsplashes, “where the back and side walls along the counter are covered with countertop material that is scalloped or curved to echo the design of the cabinetry, like a Victorian washstand,” are fashionable.

The ongoing trend of creating a wow backsplash between the cooktop and hood with countertop material is moving into other spaces — and getting lit. “A lot of folks will do a feature wall with quartz or quartzite or onyx in a hallway or great room and create a focal point with back lighting,” Clark said To achieve the look, choose a translucent stone or quartz. “As a test, shine your cellphone’s flashlight through the countertop sample to see if back lighting is possible,” she said.

Installation Considerations
A final piece of advice: No matter what color, material or application you choose, “make sure you’re going with a reputable installer,” Clark said. “A good one can make a world of difference on any type of countertop.” Royal Flooring, she adds, offers professional installation services to ensure a perfect fit every time.

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