Designers No Longer Love This Kitchen Countertop Material—Here's What to Use Instead

Kitchen countertops work hard and are subject to a wide range of daily messes and mishaps, from spilled sauces and rushed breakfasts to dropped pots and pans. Choosing the right material, then, means balancing style with durability—it needs to look good, but it also has to be able to withstand scratches, stains, heat, and the chaos of daily life.

Since there are so many boxes to check, lately, it feels like some kitchen materials just aren’t making the cut. Solid hardwood and even copper are falling out of favor, but the biggest surprise? Marble—white marble in particular—is on the decline. Here, we spoke with top interior designers to get the scoop on this once-trendy material.

It's Overdone

Marble has had its moment, says interior designer Alana Marie—but it’s time to move on. "It's overused, especially the basic, vanilla white marble with gray veining," she says. While undeniably classic, these predictable styles have become the default choice because they feel safe and they're easy enough to find—but that doesn’t mean they’re the most inspiring.

"It feels like the trend just won’t end," Marie adds. "When granite started falling out of favor in the late '90s, quartz and Corian took over." So, thanks to advancements in manufacturing technology, it became easier than ever to replicate marble's timeless look, making it more accessible—and, unfortunately, more overdone.

Interior designer Jan Sikora echoes this sentiment regarding white sintered quartz. "It looks and feels sterile," he says, noting how its clinical appearance lacks the warmth many homeowners now crave.

It Lacks Personality

"This material had its moment about 10 years ago when Scandinavian minimalism and functional design were seen as the height of modernity," says Sikora. "But now, people are gravitating toward more organic colors and materials that create warmth and a sense of grounding."

After all, the kitchen isn’t just a workspace—it’s the heart of the home. And as design trends shift, so does the desire for spaces that feel personal, inviting, and, most importantly, alive.

It's High Maintenance

Beyond its ubiquity, Marie points out that white marble comes with a host of practical drawbacks, chief among them its high porosity. "People love its bright, clean look at first, but they’re often frustrated by how easily it stains or shows imperfections," she says. "Even with sealers and treatments, it’s not the best option for a kitchen that actually gets regularly used."

"Marble isn’t for those who want a pristine kitchen," adds Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL Kitchens. "Lemon juice can etch the surface, turmeric can leave stains, and it’s prone to scratches." So unless you’re meticulous about maintenance, your countertops will quickly develop a patina from wear and tear.

There Are Better Alternatives

While Marie acknowledges that marble still has a place in kitchen design, she’s quick to point out that it doesn’t have to be the same old white slab with gray veins. “There’s an entire world of marble beyond the basic options,” she says. “Dramatic colors, bold veining, unique patterns—these variations can add real character and depth to a space.”

So why do so many kitchens stick to the safe, predictable look? “It often comes down to comfort zones,” she says. “Builders and designers who aren’t ready to take risks default to what’s familiar. But playing it safe can mean missing out on something truly special.”

Alternatively, ceramic tile is another countertop material that's incredibly popular, and can add a welcome pop of color and texture to the kitchen. Concrete can be austere in certain contexts, but works well for a slightly edgier, more brutalist aesthetic; stainless-steel has become popular for its Danish modern look.

White Kitchens Are Out

As Sikora points out, white might be timeless, but it doesn't quite fit the modern home. "That sense of emptiness doesn't connect with the way we want to live now," he says.

With screens and constant connectivity dominating daily life, Sikora sees a growing preference for materials that embrace imperfection. "Surfaces that show natural flaws and tell a story are becoming the details that keep us grounded," he says.

“With life moving at such a fast pace—and our growing need to disconnect from the digital world—it’s the tactile experience that really matters,” he adds. “Especially in the kitchen, where we instinctively crave materials that feel warm, sensory, and comforting.”