The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Kitchen Countertops
If you're reading this, you’re likely in the middle of remodeling a kitchen or bathroom—and realizing there’s a lot more to countertops than you expected.
Let’s walk through what you need to know...
As an interior designer, not only do I specify the countertop material, but I also specify the profile of the edges, the countertop thickness, and the finish. Each of these decisions contributes to the overall aesthetic and functionality of the kitchen.
Our Ultimate Kitchen Planner will help you with these decisions and many others!
Understand the Stone Types
Most kitchen counters today are made from two types of stone - natural and manmade.
Natural stone: Marble, granite, quartzite, soapstone, slate, limestone
Engineered stone: Quartz
Natural stone offers beauty and variation, while quartz provides low maintenance and consistency in pattern and color. One of the reasons engineered quartz is so popular is because it resembles marble or granite without the upkeep or unpredictability.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the most popular stone types I specify in kitchen renovations:
Marble
- A timeless natural stone known for its soft, elegant veining and rich historical appeal.
- Best for: Baking stations, low-traffic counters, or clients who embrace patina.
- Pros: Luxurious and classic.
- Cons: Softer, more porous, prone to etching and staining without regular sealing.
Quartz
- An engineered stone made of crushed natural quartz combined with resin.
- Best for: Busy families or those wanting low-maintenance beauty.
- Pros: Non-porous, stain-resistant, and very consistent in pattern.
- Cons: Lacks the depth and natural variation of real stone.
Quartzite
- A naturally occurring stone that’s often mistaken for marble but is much harder.
- Best for: Clients who want marble’s look with better durability.
- Pros: Durable, heat- and scratch-resistant, stunning patterns.
- Cons: Often more expensive and still requires periodic sealing
Granite
- A long-time favorite for its durability and range of colors and patterns.
- Best for: High-use kitchens that still want some natural variation.
- Pros: Hard, durable, heat-resistant.
- Cons: Can feel visually heavier; requires periodic sealing.
Porcelain
- A man-made material created by firing powdered clay at extremely high temperatures, resulting in a lightweight, ultra-durable surface.
- Best for: Clients who have a healthy budget and are looking for a low-maintenance countertop that leans transitional or modern. Also, an excellent option for a solid backsplash due to its lighter weight and low maintenance.
- Pros: Highly heat-, stain-, and scratch-resistant; UV-stable (great for outdoors); available in a wide range of colors and patterns (including marble and concrete lookalikes).
- Cons: Edges can chip more easily than stone; limited edge profile options; not ideal for heavy, traditional detailing.
Know Your Lifestyle Needs
Busy household? Opt for something non-porous like quartz or porcelain — both are durable, low-maintenance, and resistant to stains. Want a timeless material that will patina over time? Marble or quartzite might be your match.
Marble and soapstone are softer and more prone to scratches or nicks. Granite, quartz, and porcelain, by contrast, are more resilient. If you’re tough on surfaces, that might influence your decision.
Heat Resistance & Porosity Considerations
Most natural stones—like granite, marble, and soapstone—can withstand high temperatures, but caution is still recommended. Quartz, while durable, can crack when exposed to direct heat, so always use trivets and hot pads regardless of the material you select.
Some stones are naturally porous and require sealing to prevent staining:
Porous (needs sealing): Marble, granite, limestone
Non-porous (no sealing): Quartz, Porcelain
If you cook frequently or have young kids, a non-porous surface might better suit your lifestyle.
Surface choices such as quartz and porcelain don’t require much maintenance, which makes them a client favorite, and because these materials are man-made, they’re relatively consistent and there’s no need to select the individual slab. (However, meeting the fabricator at the time of templating IS important.)
What to Expect at a Slab Yard
If you're using a natural stone, visiting a slab yard to select your exact slab is an important step. Natural stone can vary dramatically from showroom samples. Mother Nature is creative—and no two slabs are exactly alike. The only way to guarantee that there are no surprises is to select and confirm the actual slabs you want to use.
Stone yards offer a dizzying array of options and each slab is a piece of Mother Nature's art. That's why it's essential to narrow your choices beforehand, or you risk choosing a slab based on looks alone (which isn't necessarily a bad thing) but it can be disappointing to find out later that it doesn’t suit your lifestyle.
Some stone choices work best for particular applications, such as fireplaces, bathroom countertops, flooring, etc. Stones, like marble or soapstone in high-traffic areas like a kitchen, require more care, and with wear, the appearance of the stone will change over time. Many people love the patina that develops with use, but knowing my client’s overall goals and aesthetics allows me to select the best options.
Each kitchen should have one element that stands out as a diva and says “look at me.” It might be the tile, the lighting, and in some cases, the countertop material.
When Should You Visit the Slab Yard?
If you know you want a bold, dramatic slab to be the centerpiece of your kitchen, consider visiting a slab yard early in your design process. I once designed an entire kitchen around a stunning quartzite I found unexpectedly.
If you're still figuring out the look and feel of your space, it may be better to finalize cabinets, tile, and other finishes first so you’re not tempted to redesign everything around one slab.
Tips for Your Slab Yard Visit: Not all slab yards are the same
Some yards are state-of-the-art and entirely indoors. Some of our slab yards are outside where it’s difficult to see the colors on a sunny day and it’s muddy on a rainy day. The slabs are moved via forklifts and/or cranes, so it’s best to notify the yard of the selections you want to view a few days before your planned visit.
Your GC or designer will tell you which stone yards they work with, and they will make an appointment for you. Some stone yards do not work with the general public so you may not be able to visit without your GC or designer making an appointment. Stone yards sell to the fabricators so not expect anyone there to provide you with pricing. Your pricing will come from your GC, designer or fabricator.
Slabs are sold in their entirety, so when you make a selection, you’re committing to an entire slab. In many of my projects, we require multiple slabs due to the square footage. So, if you need a countertop for a small powder room you may want to look at remnants first. One kitchen we recently worked on required 5 slabs. Slabs vary in size, but they average between 45 to 60 square feet.
Come Prepared
Please dress accordingly. In summer, the warehouses are COLD and the outdoor yards are HOT. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, and bring water and handi-wipes for wiping off your hands and/or shoes as needed. It’s dusty.
Take your time
Visiting a slab yard for the first time can be overwhelming. There are so many choices! Once you decide on the slab(s) you want, take photos to help you remember your selections. Bring your drawings so seams, cut-outs and other details can be discussed as you view the slabs.
If you’re someone easily overwhelmed by options, consider working with a designer. Designers can design your entire kitchen or they can simply help you select the finishes, because decision fatigue is real!
Bring all your samples to the slab yard
When selecting your slab, it’s imperative to bring along other design elements you’ve already decided on — such as cabinet color, floor tile, or backsplash samples.
Design tip: Choosing a backsplash is much easier once the countertop is finalized, so don’t worry if that’s still TBD
View your actual slab
If you’re choosing a natural stone for your project, such as granite, marble, onyx, quartzite, etc., it’s best to view the ACTUAL slab you want to use. Mother Nature is an artist and each slab of natural stone is unique, so the appearance can have tremendous variation. Depending on your design, you may want to look for dramatic variations, and at other times, you may want consistency.
First stop or last stop?
It is completely normal to want to see alternative slabs but if you are not clear about your design before you begin looking at slabs, you may be distracted and end up designing a completely different kitchen. If you KNOW you want a dynamic countertop, then you’ll want to visit a slab yard early in your design process. I designed an entire kitchen around a beautiful, dynamic quartzite I once saw in a slab yard.
Each slab holds a unique story, waiting to add beauty to your kitchen or bath. Whether you opt for the simplicity of quartz or the captivating allure of natural stone, your countertops will stand as a testament to your vision and taste. So, let the adventure begin, and may your countertops reflect not only the elegance of the stones but also the warmth of the memories you’ll create in your transformed space!
What Happens After You Select Your Slab?
Once you've found the perfect slab, what happens next? Here are the steps I walk my clients through to ensure a beautiful and successful installation.
Choose an Expert Fabricator
This is the most important part of a successful installation. A skilled fabricator knows how to make seams nearly invisible—especially important with dramatic veining or natural movement in the stone.
Keep in mind: slabs with a lot of variation may require more material or acceptance of visible seams to preserve the look. Always ask how the fabricator will handle layout and seaming.
Plan Your Layout
Even when working with an expert, I prefer to visit the slab yard to review layout—especially for marble or quartzite with strong veining. I always tell clients “Mother Nature does what Mother Nature does.” No two slabs are alike, and what looks like a beautiful flow on paper might need adjusting when you see the real stone.
Layout is an art form—and getting it right ensures your stone is shown at its best.
Design Tip: I've seen projects where installers had to return because layout decisions weren’t made ahead of time. That’s time and money you can avoid with a little planning. For the very best experience, be sure to have your sink and faucet available. That removes all guesswork and possible dissapointing results.
Select Your Edge Detail
Edge profiles are a small detail that make a big impact. In our Ultimate Kitchen Planner, I include illustrations and tips for choosing the right one. Here are a few I commonly use:
- Eased edge: Clean, modern, minimal
- Ogee edge: Elegant, traditional
- Chiseled edge: Rustic, organic—perfect for the Vermont mountain homes I design
Some profiles are more labor-intensive (and expensive), but when they’re part of the design story, they’re worth every penny.
Design Tip: Even if you’re not actively shopping for countertops yet, visiting a stone yard early can feel like a fun field trip—and you might stumble on something unforgettable.
Whether you’re drawn to the elegant veining of marble or the fuss-free upkeep of quartz, your countertop selection is one of the most impactful decisions you’ll make in a kitchen renovation. That’s why I guide my clients through every detail—from material to layout to edge profile—ensuring the result is as beautiful as it is functional.
Kitchen mistakes are expensive and difficult to course-correct once your renovation is underway. That’s why I created the Ultimate Kitchen Planner — the exact step-by-step process that helps me bring beautiful luxury kitchens to life!
This comprehensive guide walks you through pros and cons, layout considerations, and expert design tips to help you make confident choices that align with your lifestyle, budget, and personal aesthetic.
"Everything happens in the kitchen. Life happens in the kitchen." - Andrew Zimmern
Planning a Kitchen Renovation? START HERE!
Our Ultimate Kitchen Planner walks you through the full decision-making process—from materials and layout to lighting and function—so you can renovate with clarity and confidence.
This step-by-step guide will take you from the initial design concept all the way through implementation. With insider tips and over 100 beautifully illustrated pages, you’ll wonder how people were able to design a kitchen without it!
Whether you’re working with a designer or doing it yourself, this is your go-to tool for getting it right from the start.
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