The 3 Most Timeless Kitchen Countertops

ByKylieMawdsley

Choosing the best, most timeless countertop for your kitchen or bathroom can be a painful experience, not just for your brain but for your wallet. This means you need to spend wisely and do your research, especially if you want your countertop to last for years (functionally and aesthetically).

White quartz, black granite, large veining, marble-look, it can be hard to figure out which look is best for the long haul and what’s only trendy for now.

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Now, you might be surprised at the most timeless, trend-proof countertops—or maybe not. Maybe you’ve got a few on your list, but you can’t bite the bullet and need a little wink to seal the deal.

Consider this your pinch…a two-handed one.

the most timeless kitchen countertops, quartz, granite, soapstone and marble

I started this blog post by focusing on the ONE most timeless countertop. However, this felt a bit limiting. I mean, for the most timeless kitchen, I still recommend it. Still, a few other countertops take a shot at the title: reasonably timeless counters that’ll at least look good for the next five to ten years (depending on the finishes surrounding them).

Sherwin Williams Worldly Gray in ensuite, primary bathroom, marble look porcelain tile floor, dark vanity, white quartz countertop

Can I guarantee this? Heck no, who KNOWS where trends will take us?

But of the thousands out there, these countertops are your best choices.

First, let’s talk about countertops that aren’t timeless. This way, if you’re considering them and are worried about longevity, you can scratch them off your list.

THE LEAST TIMELESS COUNTERTOPS

Don’t get me wrong—there’s something to be said (and it can be said LOUD) for loving the home you’re living in. And if you aren’t concerned with resale or staying on trend, you can fill your little stone-filled boots with any old granite or quartz you want. But if you want a timeless look (that others agree is timeless), I’d avoid a few countertops.

BEFORE Travertine tile floor, Benjamin Moore Dove Wing WALLS, OFF-WHITE PAINT COLOR ON CABINETS, GRANITE COUNTERTOP, TAUPE SUBWAY TILE

Just because you love a particular countertop and it seems timeless to you, doesn’t mean it’s timeless in the design world (ahem, most granites).

GRAY QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS ARE OUTDATED

Gray was so overdone in the previous decade – gray walls, cabinets, carpet, countertops – the whole shebang. While you’ll get more life out of your gray quartz by avoiding other gray finishes (which are also outdated, sad but true), stretching a lighter gray countertop into the next decade is tough.

Caesarstone bathroom countertop Bianco Drift with gray and greige tones. Maple vanity painted Benjamin Moore Metropolis. Kylie M Interiors E-design and Color Consulting

The darker your gray quartz is, the easier it will be to update in the future. 

MOST GRANITE COUNTERTOPS ARE OUTDATED

Granite with a reasonable amount of flecks and veining won’t be timeless. Whether it’s Uba Tuba, Santa Cecilia, Giallo Ornamental, or Bianco Antico, 90% of the granites aren’t timeless; they’re already outdated (don’t shoot the Ginger messenger; I don’t make the trends).

kitchen wood cherry cabinets, granite, beige tile floor, wood floor, BEFORE (1)

Sherwin Williams Egret White with cherry or maple red stained wood cabinets and floor, granite countertop, beige tile floor. Kylie M Edesign

Surrounding your granite counters with an updated paint color is the FIRST step.

If it were granite installed in the early 2000s, don’t install it now (except black). Even if it wasn’t popular in that decade, choose carefully.

You’re welcome to love a particular granite and install it; it’s your home – just don’t expect it to be timeless! 

But even then, most things can be updated one way or another (especially when you have a little Ginger tucked in your back pocket—who apparently does pinch).

Cherry kitchen cabinets before painting, beige tile floor

Kitchen, beige tile floor, granite Giallo Ornamental, Santa Cecelia, off-white painted beige cabinets and walls. Iron Ore island, Kylie M Edesign

Even if it’s not timeless, a kitchen can still look darn pretty in granite! 

Are there a few exceptions? HECK YES, the odd home carries granite like a BOSS; just don’t assume your home will. 

CORIAN COUNTERTOPS ARE OUTDATED

While Corian countertops are the love language of many Starbucks retailers, they aren’t timeless (or easy to keep in good condition).

Kitchen with wood island, red oak wood floor, painted cabinets, Revere Pewter Benjamin Moore Caesarstone Statuario Nuvo quartz countertops. Stainless appliances. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

Of course, there are any number of equally outdated countertops, but those are the big ones. Now, let’s move onto the point of this blog post…

So, without further ado, let’s do a countdown…

3. WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS

White quartz is currently trendy. While the previous five to ten years saw us installing white quartz with gray-violet veining (which can be a bit limiting), brands are finally catering to warmer trends. These newer versions are better at flexing into many styles. This includes counters like…

  • Cambria’s Brittanica Warm
  • Cambria Ironsbridge
  • MSI Calacatta Elysio

See the full list HERE (but keep reading, I’ve got more!)

ensuite bathroom, double white painted vanity, omnia quartz countertop, green gray subway tile walk in shower, acrylic base, Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White beige on walls, beige tile floor.

However, one white quartz countertop is a great blend of all worlds, with a gray-purple vein and a warmer, more golden-rust one. That countertop is Silestone Ethereal Glow.

Get your sample of Ethereal Glow HERE. 

Sherwin Williams white painted kitchen cabinets, dark wood floor, black hardware and faucet, bar, beverage station in kitchen, Silestone, Cosentino Et Calacatta Gold white quartz, beadboard backsplash

While it will have its limitations, it makes a run at the title and will have more longevity than many other popular white quartz countertops.

Remember, nothing is foolproof. No countertop will make 100% of homeowners happy. 

The Best Warm Quartz Countertops for a WARM Home

2. MARBLE COUNTERTOPS

Ahhhh marble. Is it classic? Yes. Is it timeless? Yes. But is it suitable for the average home? HELLLLLLS NO (that was my inside voice). While it could be at the top of the list, it’s down a notch for this color cowgirl because it’s so high-maintenance.

dark blue gray painted kitchen island, dark wood stained oak floor, marble countertop, cool white painted cabinets, chrome

Thank you to my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, and friends for sending in your photos – you make my colorful world go round! 

Marble is soft and absorbent. Even with sealant, you need to be careful with this finicky girl. She’s high-end, and she loves nice things—like red wine. She likes them so much that she wants to absorb them into herself and keep them forever.

The Most Timeless Kitchen Cabinet Colors

Is marble still a good choice?

KITCHEN remodel, marble subway tile backsplash, MSI quartz, Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace painted cabinets. Kylie M Interiors Online paint color expert with Truley Home

A marble backsplash is lower maintenance than a marble countertop, for sure. 

Marble is great if you’re okay with a less-than-perfect finish. But if you want a countertop that’s timeless and closer to bulletproof, keep on reading (or keep on reading regardless).

How to Get the Look of Marble Without The Cost

The Best Paint Colors to Go With Marble

1. BLACK GRANITE: THE MOST TIMELESS COUNTERTOP

Are you looking at me side-eyed right now? Shaking your head? Questioning my sanity (what remains of it)? Fair enough…

But just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean it’s not true. 

Benjamin Moore Linen White cream painted kitchen cabinets, black granite countertop, oak wood flooring, white farmhouse sink, subway tile backsplash

The perimeter countertop? Timeless. The granite on the island? Dated – early 2000s.

While an argument could be made for the previously mentioned countertops, which all have their place as ‘reasonably’ timeless countertops, black granite is at the top of the heap.

Why? 

Like that little black dress that suits almost every occasion (I know you have one, Bob) or the black t-shirt that goes with every outfit, black countertops suit so many interior styles, colors, and needs.

Sherwin Williams White Duck warm off white on walls, Pure White trim, Glacier Wellborn cabinets, Black quartz countertop, white quartz island. (1)

Kitchen cabinets, shaker style doors painted Benjamin Moore Kitty Gray lightened, blue green gray backsplash tile, black countertops, stainless appliances. Kylie M INteriors Edesign, client photo (2)

Ideas to Update Your 1990s Kitchen | How to Update Your 2000s Kitchen

When choosing your black granite, you can choose honed or polished. Here are a few considerations regarding honed granite…

  • You must be more careful with honed and keep it WELL sealed (I’d do polished, personally). Otherwise, you’re more likely to see stains, moisture rings, etc.
  • Honed has a softer look and less contrast than polished.
  • Some consider polished to be a bit more traditional and classic, whereas honed is a bit more casual and relaxed.
  • In some lights, honed black granite can look a bit more ‘dark gray’ rather than black.

But not everyone loves granite as it needs to be sealed occasionally.

Personally, I don’t love granite, black or not; I’m a quartz girl. But if I wanted a timeless kitchen (which I never will; Momma loves change), it would be at the top of my list. 

If my home didn’t suit black countertops, my next choice would be in this blog post or Taj Mahal quartzite; I wouldn’t choose marble (too fussy and high-maintenance for me, personally).

Black granite countertops, painted cabinets, Sherwin Williams Alabaster walls, coganc leather bar stools. Client photo, Kylie M Interiors Edesign

The Best Stone-Inspired Greige, Taupe, & Beige Paint Colors

If you aren’t a fan of granite and want to explore alternatives, check out these bad boys.

Kitchen update ideas, Sherwin Williams Alabaster, dark black granite countertops, backsplash tile, white cabinets. Kylie M diy E-design

Ideas to Update Your 1990s Kitchen

The black soapstone on this next kitchen island is timeless. The granite perimeter counter? Not so much…but that doesn’t mean it isn’t pretty!

Kitchen with granite countertops, black and taupe, Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray island and red oak floor. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

Kitchen with red oak floor. Granite taupe countertops, off-white painted cabinets, Grizzle Gray island. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

How to Update Older Granite Countertops Without Replacing Them

The Most Timeless Kitchen Cabinet Colors

IS TAJ MAHAL QUARTZITE TIMELESS

This is one badass and beautiful countertop! Is it close to being a timeless countertop? More so than many others. However, it misses a few categories regarding flexibility.

Is it still a good choice?

Taj Mahal quartzite countertop with Calypso Oak from Coretec flooring, gold antique brass cabinet hardware, countersplash, countertop on the backsplash, stainless steel appliances (1)

This remodel is almost done – I can’t wait to see it completed! 

You bet your cute little booty it is. I would install this counter in my kitchen in a solid second. I would also expect it to look good for a reasonably long time, which is why it’s one of the most popular countertop choices right now. But timeless? No.

If trends go cool gray again (it’ll undoubtedly come back—give it a decade or two), Taj Mahal will be too warm. Taj Mahal also isn’t as flexible toward interior design styles as black or most marbles.

But it’s still badass.

Taj Mahal warm beige quartzite countertops, subway tile, greige, warm gray

Taj Mahal: The Countertop That’s Rocking The Design World

LET’S DO A QUICK FAUX UPDATE…

The perimeter countertop in this next kitchen is perfect and timeless. However, the surrounding finishes set it back to the early 2000s…

maple or cherry stained red-orange wood cabinets, black kitchen island, wood floor, travertine backslash, black granite countertop, butcherblock island, ideas to update 2000s kitchen

How to Update Your 2000s Kitchen – Case Studies

If I moved into the home above, here’s what I’d update to get some ‘bang for buck’…

  • Paint the cabinets white or a medium-depth stone-inspired color. While the medium-depth shade isn’t as timeless, I’d just repaint them in 8-10 years. If I wanted timeless, I’d do white.
  • Change the backsplash to match the new cabinet color. No Zellige tile, no countersplash; this girl is all about timeless subway tile.
  • Paint the island to match the main cabinets for a more timeless look.
  • Install knobs on the doors rather than those linear bits. Knobs are timeless (but look dumb on drawers that are too long). I’d keep pulls on the drawers and ensure they have some detailing, as the cabinet door profile doesn’t want a handle that’s too modern.
  • Restain the floor from a less orange-red color to a medium-depth brownish stain (How to Mix & Match Stains).
  • To save money (vs. replacing it), I’d restain the butcherblock countertop to coordinate with the new floor stain.
  • I’d replace the recessed light over the island with a pendant.

SUMMARY (TL;DR)

  • The most timeless kitchen countertop is black. This is often soapstone, but can also be granite or quartz.
  • Marble is a timeless countertop but is high maintenance

READ MORE

The 10 Most Timeless Interior Finishes

The Most Timeless Neutral Paint Colors

How to Create a Timeless Home That Still Has Personality

Get the best paint color & home update advice with Kylie M’s Online Paint Color Consulting! 

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8 Comments

  1. This is so funny,
    My husband has agreed to a kitchen update and I’m unlikely to get another on the next ten years so I have to go timeless.
    I want to update my crazy gold/beige/terracotta/black granite but have to have a solid vision for him to go along with it. I could try to work with it, but it truly is bad and I don’t foresee it returning to trend in the next ten years and may hurt resale value by then.
    I was considering a black honed granite or virgina mist/silver mist honed granite as potential replacement options. I know everyone says granite is out, but I love the longevity, price, and durability of it. I’m terrified to price out quartzite, and will sleep better knowing that while I do not, some of the less experienced household cooks can put the hot items on the countertop.
    Thank you for reaffirming my vision of dark honed granite.

    Reply

    1. YESSSS, I’m so excited to hear this – seriously, black granite is stunning. Make sure you do research on honed, as it is more high maintenance for seeing water stains/etc, even though it is lovely! The Virginia Mist/Silver Mist honed looks a bit more dark charcoal vs black, for sure, so be sure that’s the look you want over black!

      And I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see how it turns out! kylie@kylieminteriors.ca

      Reply

  2. My mom had black polished granite (back in late 1990s-early 2000s) and although it was her dream kitchen when she installed it. She ended up HATING it because every water drop showed on the granite. She was constantly drying it off. Every time she washed her hands she had to wipe away every splatter or drip or it dried leaving a mark 🙁

    Now I have honed marble and LOVE it. I have not found it difficult to manage in the least. I do have minor etching, but I really don’t care. I had a designer tell me that all through Europe marble is used for 100s of years and they do not pay any attention to this “Marble gets more beautiful with age.” I don’t stress about squeezing a lemon etc. If you really are worried about it, you can get it touched up on occasion. I’ve had mine 10 yrs and have never done any professional resurfacing. I do not have staining, yet cook all the time. I do wipe up spills as I go and don’t leave highly colored juice/wine there to stain it. It may not be for everyone, but was definitely great for me and far more affordable than quartz at the time.

    Reply

  4. Thanks for keeping me laughing!!! Hysterical! You’ve helped me through my first major renovation. This series is excellent! I wanted to give a nod to Lumitaj quartz. I’m super happy with it. It’s the step sister to Taj Mahal but at a price that fit my dwindling budget! Thanks Kylie!

    Reply

    1. Katy, thank you for this comment! And that’s funny, as I just put a sub-note on one of my other blog posts about how it’s a good one to check out, but I don’t have any images of it! If you’re interested…I’d LOVE to see some photos, and maybe use them as examples…if you wouldn’t mind? I love that my blog has been helpful, as I sure love doing it! If you’re interested in sending pics…kylie@kylieMinteriors.ca If not, that’s okay, too!

      Reply

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