So what countertop & stone trends did we see in 2019, and what are the up and coming trends for 2020? There’s no cut and dry answer, but there are some common themes we’ve seen and expect for them to continue into 2020.
The biggest thing is that customers are still excited about upgrading solid surfaces – whether that be in the kitchen, bathroom, outdoor living spaces, fireplaces, or even accent walls. Quartz and natural stone are big hits! Open up any design magazine, and what will you see? Natural stone.
“No one wants basics anymore. If they’re going for an upgrade, they upgrade countertops,” says Chris Blackburn, owner of Texas Counter Fitters.
The trend is that people are more willing to spend money on countertops and want to be more involved in the process rather than just going with the generic, budget-friendly option.
And that’s what makes Texas Counter Fitters so great! Customers can come in and get to walk our showroom, ask all their questions about all the different types of natural and engineered stones, and really be involved in making their selections.
Quartz has been huge for 2019, and it’ll continue to be popular in 2020. In fact, 50 percent of what we cut this year is quartz. It lends to being popular because it’s durable. It is non-porous and is stain-and-crack resistant. It does not require sealing, is easy to clean, and comes in a wide range of colors. Pretty much winning all around! It can also have a variety of appearances. The appearance depends on how the quartz is ground: coarsely ground quartz produces a flecked appearance, while finely ground quartz produces a smooth look. For the large, custom homes, we’ve seen our engineered surfaces become hugely popular. Customers are gravitating towards the marble veining in engineered surfaces that reflect a marble look.
Natural Quartzite has also become popular. Natural Quartzite is pricier, but customers love it because it’s rare and therefore offers a unique look. Each piece can vary significantly in appearance – some resemble marble, and some don’t have any marble-like patterns at all. One slab of Taj Mahal Quartzite can look completely different than another. Quartzite can be of exceptional strength, density, and hardness. The strength, abrasion resistance, and weathering durability of this rock type expand its application possibilities to include most of the common uses for natural, dimension stone.
For some, they love the white marble for its beauty and elegance. We’ve seen lots of custom homes this year with lots of white. Some prefer white with lots of grey veins, while others prefer more white and fewer veins.
The true trend at Texas Counter Fitters is the customer getting involved and selecting the exact piece of stone they want.
“It’s like a piece of art, and each customer gets to find just the right piece with the right movement that fits what they’re drawn to,” said Blackburn.
When selecting countertops, it really is “to each his own.” Many stone fabricators have limited inventory and selection. But at Texas Counter Fitters, there’s no overlapping of colors, and variety is the name of the game.
So what’s on the horizon in 2020 besides customers continuing to be involved and truly getting to pick their “perfect” stone?
Solid vertical surfaces are going to be big. We’re excited about more feature walls with gorgeous slabs of stone. Feature walls are becoming more and more popular in both homes and offices – in living areas, entryways, and even bathrooms.
“Consider a piece of artwork. You love it, but ten years later it’s dated. You bought it for the trend at the time. A natural stone feature wall is a timeless statement look,” says Chris Blackburn.
Dressing up bathrooms and fireplaces are also on the rise. Custom fixtures, sinks, and vanities are an exquisite addition to any bathroom. And adding verticalness of the surfaces and wrapping fireplaces is an excellent way to make a statement in the room.
Lastly, the ever-popular outdoor living spaces and dressing up the outdoor kitchens are still customer favorites. Investing in an outdoor living space and giving it a timeless look with natural stone or engineered stone is something you’ll never have to replace. It’s a one-time investment that will last the lifetime of your home.
So whatever is on your home project list for 2020, we’re ready to help at Texas Counter Fitters. We want you involved, and we promise we’ll find the perfect stone for you! Stop by the showroom today and let’s get started!
