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Marble is timeless, in both the Greco-Roman context and in any kitchen or bathroom. But like many classic things—a finely aged bottle of wine, a cashmere sweater, a nice watch—it comes at an admittedly high price. Which makes Formica’s 2020 Living Impressions collection, launched in January, especially exciting. Painted by hand—a first for the brand—the two marble finishes in the mix (there are six patterns total) look extremely lifelike. And they’re a fraction of what you’d pay for the real thing.

A very small fraction. According to Home Advisor, Carrara marble goes for about $40 per square foot, while Formica’s alternative clocks in around $2 to $3. Plus, you don’t have to stress about accidentally ruining it by spilling red wine (bought with the money you saved!) on its surface.

Consider this material a must if you want to upgrade your kitchen countertops on a budget. Or look to what Leanne Ford did and get experimental: At KBIS in January, we saw that the designer used Formica’s white marble version to create a dramatic bed frame. Just take your time—Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Black Painted Marble
Black Painted Marble, Formica (Price upon request)
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White Painted Marble
White Painted Marble, Formica (Price upon request)
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