The Expensive Kitchen Countertop Home Buyers Won't Want In 2026

With 2025 entering its last stretch, the interior design, construction, and real estate industries already have their eye on 2026 in an attempt to predict and get ahead of upcoming trends. In kitchens, there is a clear pattern taking shape against the use of marble in countertops. Trend reports from both the National Kitchen & Bath Association and real estate platform Zillow have predicted a decline in popularity for the lush natural stone as homeowners continue to prioritize functionality, citing marble's high-maintenance and expensive price tag as a turn-off for buyers. 

The NKBA report is based on survey answers from 634 industry professionals, including designers, architects, showroom professionals, and contractors, while Zillow extracted its results from the many for-sale listings added to its online marketplace. Marble has historically been considered a highly desired countertop material thanks to its rich, unique appearance. The stone's appeal is in its density, the singularity of each slab, and its innate rarity, given the way it is quarried directly from nature, which makes it a finite, luxury resource. However, even the biggest luxury design enthusiast needs a functional kitchen if they intend to use it, and that's where marble can lose points. 

For starters, marble countertops can be beautiful, but they stain more easily than you might realize. Although there are sealants you can use that will slow down the process of staining, as a highly porous natural stone, marble can still be permanently marked by acidic and pigmented liquids like orange juice, coffee, or tomato sauce, if left long enough. Something as simple as using the wrong sealant, not sealing frequently enough, or using abrasive cleaning products can also damage the protective layer and subsequently expose the stone to staining and etching. 

Another hidden downside that may make you rethink marble countertops is the patina they will acquire over time. Though some may find this an attractive quality, providing a certain character and lived-in feel, others may not appreciate the way marble can dull as it ages. 

Finally, homeowners may be less inclined to invest in a stone as expensive as marble now that there are so many stunning countertops that mimic the beauty of marble without the upkeep or hefty price tag. Popular alternatives are porcelain and engineered stone, aka quartz, which are both stain-proof and durable. Porcelain is generally much cheaper than marble, while quartz shares a similar price range but can be much easier to maintain without the need for regular resealing.