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What does 2026 have in store? In Design Psychic, our community of editors, experts, and tastemakers predicts the trends coming soon to a house near you.
There should be a decision tree to help homeowners decide what countertops to choose for their kitchens. To start, how much are you willing to spend? Your answer could either send you down the path of natural stone or manmade surfaces. Are you OK with visible etches and stains? Congratulations, marble could be your perfect match—now all you have to do is pick from the hundreds of shades out there. This design rabbit hole goes deep, which is why we prefer to go straight to the pros and ask them for their recommendations. As we head into 2026, here are the countertop materials interior designers plan to reach for.
The Winner: Quartzite
Quartzite, quartzite, quartzite! Clients want materials that age gracefully without the worry of high maintenance and quartzite delivers both the look of luxury and the ease of everyday life. —Kimberly Oxford, founder of Kimberly Oxford Interiors
We love quartzite for the mix of movement, durability, and both light and dark offerings. Avocatus is one of our all-time favorites—we love that it’s not for everyone, and will be incorporating it into a color-dipped pantry this coming year. —Liz Hoekzema, cofounder of KLH Custom Homes
I’ve been using a ton of quartzite lately. It gives you the elegance of marble with far more durability. —Gabriela Eisenhart, founder and creative director of Silo Studio Design
Durability is always a factor so we see a lot more use of quartzites and Dolomites. The styles need to be sifted through, and many offer the same depth and richness of marble, but can stand up better to etching and staining. –Evan Krenzien, cofounder of Shane & Pierce
I believe Taj Mahal quartzite remains the standout choice. It delivers the beauty of marble with far more durability, making it ideal for real-life kitchens. —Sarah Tract, founder and principal designer of Sarah Tract Interiors
Warm-toned quartz and quartzite with honed or matte finishes will define 2026. They are beautiful, durable, and quietly luxurious, embodying a kind of luxury that is tactile, timeless, and designed to be felt as much as seen. —Claire O’Connor, cofounder of O’Connor Estates
The Runners-Up
Natural Stones with Strong Veining
We’re loving those deeper tonal stones, especially a black with the slightest hint of green that shows up in certain light. It creates grounding moments without feeling heavy. —Amanda Leigh, cofounder of House of Rolison
Less quartz and more natural stone. People are craving the unique veining and natural variation you only get from real stone. —Annie Obermann, co-Founder and principal designer, Forge & Bow
I am loving bold stones with a lot of movement and impact, especially marbles or natural stone with inherent texture, bold color, and dramatic veining. —Karin Bohn, founder and creative director of House of Bohn
Honed Stone
Honed finishes are definitely winning. I’m especially loving honed Calacatta marble or quartzite. The matte finish softens a space and feels less formal than high-gloss, which fits the overall shift toward comfort and natural materials. —Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer of Marian Louise Design
Honed stone is the surface to watch. It’s soft, matte, and elegant—beautifully understated and durable enough for everyday life. —Barrett Cooke, cofounder and principal designer of Arterberry Cooke
I always prefer natural materials, whether Vermont soapstone or any variety of beautiful honed marbles, nature’s bounty is always beautiful. —Ariel Okin, founder of Ariel Okin Interiors
Green and Pink Marble
We are definitely seeing colorful stones enter the picture for a lot of projects now. Soft greens and pale blush seem to be an acceptable option, whereas a few years ago, it took a lot of negotiating to get clients to be open to anything other than Carrara and Calacatta. —Alexandra Azat, founder of Plaster and Patina
I just renovated my 1929 kitchen that had all its original colorful Art Deco tile. The countertops were yellow tile, which was a huge design challenge, so I considered ripping them out and replacing them with marble. I absolutely fell in love with Breccia Rose marble. It is one of the most stunning stones I have ever seen. At first you think it is just tan, but once you look closer, there are actually a lot of greens and pinks that bring it to life. I ended up being a responsible old house owner and left the original tile countertops, but you will be seeing Breccia Rose in one of my future projects very soon. —Drew Michael Scott, founder of Lone Fox
Calacatta Viola Marble
I know Taj Mahal quartzite has been all the rage in 2025, and while I am still loving it for 2026, I’m also a huge fan of Calacatta Viola marble. There’s something so bold and timeless about it that stops my heart in its design tracks every time I use it. —Galey Alix, founder of Galey Alix Design
Porcelain
Porcelain is really making a name for itself. It has come so far and can be a much more cost-effective way to achieve a seamless look between the backsplash and countertops. —Sarah Randolph, principal designer of Randolph Interior Design
Stainless Steel
I hope we see more stainless steel. It’s just the perfect material in a busy kitchen. It’s hard-wearing yet soft, while being super hygienic. I truly think mixed metals are only just starting to creep into the mainstream, so I see so many excellent opportunities to mix stainless with brass, nickel, chrome, and bronze. —Leanne Kilroy, creator of Good Bones
Brown-Tinged Marble
I’m endlessly inspired by dramatic stones with movement. Bronze-veined marbles, richly figured travertines, and unexpected tonalities like rosso or sage-washed limestone. There’s a shift toward materials that feel ancient and storied. –Anu Jain, founder of Atelier Oleana
Concrete
I love when a countertop shows its life: the etching, the scratches, the memories. We’re finally moving past the fear of ruining things—actually living with our kitchens again. People are waking up to the fact that all those “landlord special” surfaces feel lifeless. –Leanne Ford, founder of Leanne Ford Interiors
Granite
We are turning to granite believe it or not! We love the soft veining of Virginia Mist, which looks similar to soapstone without the price tag or maintenance. For those who want a natural stone, but are wary of marble, this is an excellent option. —Chloe Legras, creator of Boxwood Avenue
Black and White
Stone is still a favorite of mine, even for someone drawn to black and white countertops. Panda stone has become a more recent go-to as it creates a bold, graphic pattern that still feels grounded. As a natural material, stone feels alive and in a way, it’s the beauty of nature right on your countertop. —Ghislaine Viñas, founder of Ghislaine Viñas