When seeking out high-end countertop material for your home remodel, the options can seem endless.

Whether revamping your kitchen, bathroom, or other surfaces, selecting the right material sets the stage for the look and feel of your space. Select the right material, and the area instantly feels more luxurious. But choose the wrong one, and it can cheapen the space. So, how do you know which material is right for your high-end home? 

Here are six countertop material trends we recommend to give your home’s surfaces—and therefore the entire room—a more high-end look. 

Option One: Granite

Granite is a longtime favorite luxury countertop material, often selected when cost is not an issue. It’s a beautiful, durable, natural stone with an aesthetic that can’t be matched—plus it comes in countless colors and styles. Granite resists scratches and is nearly impervious to heat, making it the perfect material for any counter. Just ensure it is properly sealed to avoid stains, as stone is a porous material. Once professionally installed and sealed, granite requires minimal maintenance.

Though granite has historically been known as one of the most expensive materials, supply increase and the availability of engineered stone have driven the price down as of late, making this material much more accessible. It also adds value to your home, making it a great investment over time. 

Option Two: Marble

Marble is a glamorous, highly-prized countertop material, and one of the most expensive. Like granite, marble is a natural stone. Each slab features unique veining, ensuring no piece is exactly the same. Marble is heat and water resistant, making it a good option to accent your kitchen or bathroom. However, it can be prone to scratching and staining, so you’ll need to take a little extra care and caution in places such as a kitchen.

Due to its hefty price tag, marble works well adorning a center island, smaller bathroom counter, or accent table for a touch of luxe. 

Option Three: Engineered Quartz

There’s a reason that interior designers everywhere are recommending quartz countertops. Quartz is actually an engineered stone, created by binding quartz materials with resin to create slabs. The result is a beautiful countertop, and a more affordable and durable alternative to marble and granite. Its non-porous surface resists scratching a staining without the need for annual sealing. It’s also heat and water resistant. 

Quartz comes in a wide variety of shades and styles—some are even convincing dupes of marble, complete with veining. 

Option Four: Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is a staple for commercial kitchens; however, high-end homeowners have begun to turn to stainless steel for its industrial look and low-stress appeal. It is a breeze to maintain, durable, and easy to clean. You can place a hot pan or heated hair styling tool right on stainless steel without worrying about damaging. 

And, because stainless steel is non-porous, it is germ resistant and sanitary—making it a great option for cooking surfaces when you’re looking for a more industrial, commercial kitchen-style look. 

Option Five: New or Reclaimed Wood

One of the newest countertop trends, wood has made big waves in the interior design world in the last couple of years. Whether new or reclaimed, wood is a charming material for adding an unmistakable rustic appeal to any room. Repurposed wood is also eco-friendly, as it recycles old building materials and siding to create stand-out countertops with a vintage appeal. Wood counters come in various stains so you can easily match your countertop to your engineered wood flooring, crown molding, cabinets, and handrails for a cohesive look. 

As wood is an organic material, proper maintenance is key. Regular sealing and cleaning is required to avoid rotting, warping, or germ-harboring. 

Option Six: Solid Surface

Solid surface is the most budget-friendly option on our high-end materials list. However, these countertops look anything but cheap—they have come a long way in style and class. A man-made material, solid surface is created by blending synthetic materials with resins to replicate granite and other natural stone. There are countless color options and patterns available, all cut or crafted to your size and specifications, making solid surface a versatile countertop option for bathrooms and kitchens alike. 

Though easy to clean, some caution does need to be exercised around solid surface countertops as they are more prone to scratching and scorching. Minor abrasions can often be buffed out with fine sandpaper. 

How to Choose a High-End Counter Material

Ultimately, the perfect countertop material for your home comes down to personal preference and budget. Get a good idea of how much you want to spend, how you want your room to look, and how much ongoing maintenance you want to do on your counters. 

Knowing the answers to those three questions will help you find the perfect countertop material for your renovation project.

Contact our design team for professional assistance with luxury interior design, home remodeling, and other home design services!

Skylar Ross is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Skylar is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.