The Once-Popular Countertop Trend That Will Instantly Date Your Kitchen In 2026

Selecting a countertop design is one of the most important steps in planning a kitchen remodel. You first need to pick out the material you like and factor the cost into your budget. Natural stones like granite and marble are popular choices, but there are plenty of other more affordable kitchen countertop materials, such as laminate. Once you've found a countertop material you're comfortable with, you have to decide what you're going to do about the edges. There is a wide variety of kitchen countertop edge profiles available, ranging from basic cuts like square and eased edges to complex outlines like fluted and ogee edges. Not all of these edge profiles are, however, suitable for today's kitchens. In fact, countertops with once-popular decorative edges often make the heart of your home look dated.

Fancy decorative countertop edges, which trended in the 1990s and 2000s, are best suited to more traditional kitchen designs. If you're attempting to create a contemporary kitchen, they're best left in the past. The aforementioned ogee, cove, and dupont profiles are just a few examples of styles that you might want to avoid. There are also plenty of other out-of-the-ordinary countertop edge profiles you may not have heard of that are widely considered old-fashioned. Affordability-wise, decorative edges typically cost far more than simpler edges to manufacture. Additionally, they can steal attention from the innate elegance of your new stone or quartz counters.

For modern and contemporary kitchens, simpler countertop edge profiles are often the best choice. Square edges, eased edges, and pencil edges are some of the most common examples. The first of these features 90-degree angles along the bottoms and tops of the profile, giving a sharper, more geometric look. However, square edges chip more easily and aren't so fun to accidentally bump into. For this last reason, many homeowners opt for eased edges instead, which are ever-so-slightly rounded, making them a bit safer. From an aesthetic standpoint, they look just as good as a square edge in a minimalist kitchen.

Finally, there's the pencil edge. It has more rounded corners than an eased edge, which gives a flowing look. The curving edges of this profile also make it a great choice for homes with children, since they're a bit more forgiving when someone bumps into them. Simpler countertop edges, no matter which exact profile you choose, are widely considered timeless. Plus, they fit nicely into most kitchen design styles. To top it all off, they're easier to clean than decorative edge profiles, which often have ridges or grooves that food and dust can get stuck in. And, as mentioned, they're cheaper to produce, helping you get the most bang for your buck when deciding on remodeling kitchens.