Wood counters, naturally, also work well in spaces that already feature wood cabinets — that is, if you’re a true wood lover and don’t mind it dominating the palette.
Notice in several of these examples how wood only dresses the island counters. Wood, in general, is an excellent material to use for an accent counter (often on an island or a small “chopping zone” in butcher block), contrasting with nearby stone or solid-surface counters in a pleasing way.
Lighter woods tend to have more of a casual or rustic feel compared with darker-stained options. Light-stained or unstained woods can have a cottage-inspired feel or a Scandinavian vibe depending on whether you pair them with traditional or modern accouterments.
Darker woods come off a little more formal and polished than lighter tones. They lend a certain gravity to space, which can work well in areas that are already bright and breezy with lots of windows.
When mixing wood counters with other wood finishes, it’s often best to stick to either warm or cool tones across the board. Red-brown woods are more traditional, while ashy gray tones have been a popular modern trend in recent years. Whichever tones you prefer, they will be less likely to clash if you stick to one family or the other.
Few kitchen countertop materials are trendier at the moment than high-end concrete. Rock solid and hard as granite or slate, concrete can be a better fit in contemporary kitchen designs than any of those natural stones since it exudes a modern industrial aesthetic. Adding to the mystique is the fact that concrete can now be etched, acid-stained, stamped and sealed to create a countertop surface that is unlike almost any other material. Concrete kitchen countertops are not cold slabs of gray concrete (unless you want that)—they are often warm and gleaming surfaces which are utterly functional and also remarkably stylish.
In the kitchen, a copper countertop is known as a “living” surface, which means that (like copper cookware) it reacts to acid. Unsealed copper countertops will oxidize and tarnish over time, giving it a unique patina with hints of red, green, and brown in it. (In other words, kitchen spills add character. If you’re a perfectionist, then the changeable nature of copper is probably not for you!) Sealed countertops will keep their shiny appearance longer, but do need to be treated periodically with beeswax or butcher’s wax to keep it in good condition.
Other things to note: copper is a soft metal, so it is easily dented and scratched. Again, some people like the distressed look this gives the countertop over time, but if not, you can usually buff the copper back into shape. On the good side, copper countertops are surprisingly easy to clean. Use warm water and soap, or a little lemon juice, salt, and a scouring sponge (with a good rinse after). Copper countertops are also naturally antimicrobial and are said to resist bacteria better than stainless steel.