The Marble Countertop Trend That's Making Your Kitchen Look Dated

If you've been planning a kitchen renovation, you might be considering all the different marble kitchen ideas for a classic and elegant look. But choosing countertops isn't as simple as picking a decor accent — it's a much more permanent choice that you'll want to be confident about. It's easy to think that you can't go wrong with a marble look, but that's not always the case; when it comes to faux marble countertops, this design decision might end up actually dating your space. When speaking with The Spruce, designer Erin Williamson expressed her thoughts on this material, saying "I highly recommend avoiding any imitation marble manmade products with large veins running through them — they aren't fooling anyone." 

In smaller doses, using imitation marble can work, whether that's in small accent pieces or a fun project like stunning DIY faux marble bookends. When it comes to your kitchen countertops, the material is going to have a large visual impact that makes it easier to notice any off-putting qualities. When a big aspect of your kitchen design feels dated, it translates to the rest of the space. Faux marble is made with synthetic polymer that fails to live up to the organic, sophisticated look of genuine materials, and instead offers a look that reads as plastic and void of any natural texture and beauty. Authentic marble speaks to the grounded, earthy trends that homeowners are currently leaning towards, while the noticeably inauthentic qualities of faux marble directly oppose this style and land the kitchen looking outdated.

When you get into the details of faux marble, you can see that it doesn't really compare to the real thing. You may be intrigued by the range of colors available for imitation styles, but certain unnatural color palettes can just end up as a clear signal of inauthentic stone, especially when paired with the uniform, manufactured look of faux veining. Today's homeowners are more interested in achieving the organic modern aesthetic among other nature-based styles, so genuine materials have a greater modern appeal. 

For instance, butcher block is a budget-friendly choice that allows you to incorporate real wood accents into your counters. It also comes in a range of variations, from deep walnut to bright oak tones. If you want to embrace real stone while being mindful of cost, granite can provide a happy medium — the price tag may be a bit higher than that of faux marble, but it's still a more affordable choice than real marble if you're looking to reap the benefits of genuine stone countertops.

Aside from the more modern look, there's another reason to invest in real materials. Our kitchen counters get plenty of traffic, which makes the durability of natural stone more appealing. Faux marble is prone to stains and wear, so not only will the style look outdated, but over time the surface will show clear signs of age, too. To enjoy a sense of durability that imitation marble lacks, you may want to consider an affordable but strong material like quartz. Engineered quartz in particular can come at a lower price point and offers a non-porous surface that can stand up to everyday wear without developing noticeable imperfections over time.