Image credit: Novy

Kitchen worktops are the workhorse of a modern kitchen and deserve careful consideration to get right. With increasing technology, these kitchen worktop trends cover everything from ultra-thin porcelain surfaces to smart worktops with integrated flush-mounted appliances.

Of course, it’s not all about the modern, and there has been a revival of tiled worktops with a rustic feel of late, and a preference towards warm, earthy tones to add character to the hub of your home.

When choosing from the vast array of options on the market, think about how you use the space. How often do you cook from scratch and prepare food? Do you entertain a lot? And therefore need extra worktop spaces? Or do you use multiple hot pans and need a worktop surface that can handle them?

Consider upkeep too; wooden kitchen worktops need more maintenance than a durable porcelain worktops.

Gloss worktops will show grubby marks more easily, and beautiful tiling will require additional cleaning to get in between the grout lines.

Whichever you go for, check out these kitchen worktop trends to give your space a refreshing update.

Book matched surfaces

Marbling has been a popular kitchen worktop trend for a while now, but have you considered book matching your marble?

Book matching is where two slabs are cut from the same block and placed together, like the open pages of a book or a symmetrical mirror image.

Designers love it as it showcases the beautiful material and can create a striking focal point in a kitchen.

Laminam (pictured) creates the most spectacular ultra-thin porcelain surfaces and makes a fine line in book matched surfaces. Laminam says that “whatever the aesthetic trend of the moment, it’s crucial to consider the sustainability impact of any worktop.

“Not only should the manufacturing process and the materials used to create the surface be sustainable, but the entire life cycle of the product should be clear; for example, how it can be recycled at the end of its life to ensure that even in years to come, nothing will end up in landfill.”

As well as being fully sustainable, Laminam’s surfaces are non-absorbent, stain-proof, and resistant to heat, thermal shock, chemical products, scratches, deep abrasions, moisture, and UV rays.

The large format makes them exceptionally food-safe, with fewer joins and therefore less need for grouting.

Drainer grooves

Designed to look, feel, and perform like stone, Zenith describes their worktops as “super tough and super stylish, with all the benefits of laminate – easy to move, cut, fit, and maintain.

The Rouille worktop (pictured) is a volcanic stone design with realistic fine grain patterns and a solid, waterproof black core so it looks like a stone all the way through – ideal for accommodating flush under-mount sinks and engraved drainer grooves.”

Tiled worktops

While tiles have been used for decorative and practical purposes for centuries, they only became used as a worktop surface around the 20th century, as even though tiles were extremely popular in the Victorian times, they still favoured a wood or stone worktop.

However, as arts and crafts prevailed and the Art Deco movement gained traction, people started experimenting with pattern and colour more freely.

Blue and white Delft tiles can add charm and character to a worktop surface, while plain tiled countertops give a wonderfully rustic feel. Artisans of Devizes describe their Berber tiles (pictured) as an “homage to the ancient Moroccan tradition of Zellige tiles.

Berber has a subtle tonal variation and deep glossy pastel colours on a slightly undulated surface for an authentic handmade feel. Perfect for introducing an artisanal effect.”

While there’s so much creative freedom when it comes to tiled worktops, they do come with higher maintenance than quartz or granite worktops, as they have so many grout joints they can be hard to keep clean.

To counterbalance this, Tile Mountain suggests using a “resin-based grout that is stain repellent and non-absorbent, such as Mapei Kerapoxy grout.”

Dark and sleek kitchen worktops

Going for a dramatic, sleek look is a kitchen worktop trend that will add elegance to your home. Laminam (pictured) says, “black worksurfaces and splashbacks paired with other black elements, such as stained or painted cabinetry or lighting, give a wow-factor and opulent result.

This statement look comes in many forms, including porcelain surfaces, which are easy to clean and care for and won’t lose their lustrous sheen.

Warm tones such as gold, copper, and brass, whether incorporated within the tones of a worktop’s veining, via sinks and taps, lighting, cabinet handles or accessories, can bring a luxe feel to even the plainest kitchen designs.”

Warm and earthy tones

If a dark and dramatic look isn’t for you, then Molly Chandler, a Designer at Willis & Stone, explains how “warm and earthy tones create a welcoming, homely atmosphere, making them a perfect choice for the hub of the home.”

She adds, “For worktops, both natural stone and wood will help achieve this look. Wood worktops such as an oiled oak will add a rustic charm and are great for adding natural texture. 

The oiling process brings out the wood’s natural grain and lustre, adding to it’s warmth and timeless beauty.

If you prefer a stone worktop, granite, marble, or quartz will introduce organic textures and rich, varied tones.

They blend seamlessly with natural wood cabinetry and earthy colour palettes and are incredibly durable and easy to maintain.”

Smart worktops

When it comes to the latest in kitchen worktop trends, integrated, smart worktops are where it’s at.

The Novy Easy 90 Prestige (pictured) is the latest addition to Novy’s minimalist and luxurious vented induction hobs collection. It’s a surface or flush-mounted dual-purpose appliance with a range of cooking functions, is super quiet, and has an extraction vent that intuitively activates when cooking starts, automatically regulating the extraction speed as required.

Novy explains that “providing an on-trend professional aesthetic, five elegant mineral black rotary dial controls are integrated within cabinetry beneath the hob.” It’s the ultimate in sleek minimalism for your kitchen.

Matching worktops and backsplashes

An easy way to add coherence to your kitchen is to match your worktops to your backsplashes; it gives a seamless feel to the room and reduces visual clutter.

The Taros Gris worktop (pictured) from Bushboard at Wilsonart is a light stone laminate design crafted to look like a subtle terrazzo in shades of grey with varying particulate sizes.

They have an ultra-matt texture, coarse to the touch (it feels like stone), and come in a range of widths and lengths with a matching splashback and upstands.

Industrial style worktops

Iron might seem an unusual choice for a kitchen worktop, but it can look spectacular and give a unique, industrial feel.

Neolith has an excellent range of iron for worktops, including iron Corten (with inspiration from Corten steel; this model is known for its orangish tones), iron copper, iron frost (with a white background and touches of subtle, integrated greys), and iron grey (inspired by iron oxide).

Neolith says, “Iron has a striking personality that is immediately appealing. From greenish browns to greyish or reddish tones, the choice of iron brings tremendous strength and energy to any space. And when it’s used to create your kitchen countertop, it becomes the absolute star of the show.”

Iron worktops can also handle high amounts of heat, so measure up as a practical kitchen worktop trend. They also age beautifully and develop a natural patina over time, adding to the countertop and kitchen’s character.

Neolith worktops are resistant to stains, heat (hot pans will not affect the surface), UV rays, and scratches, but you should take care if using ceramic knives as they can scratch the surface.

When it comes to cleaning, Neolith recommends using a microfiber cloth to remove dust from the surface and washing with warm water and a detergent.