Give Your Kitchen A Lived-In Feel With The Help Of This Countertop Trend
When it comes to designing a kitchen that you love and that creates an inviting and cozy atmosphere, it helps to get an idea of what kind of countertop works best for your needs. But choosing the right kitchen countertop material is only half the battle. Next comes the type of finish that looks best for your kitchen's overall style. If you're looking for a finish that gives your kitchen a lived-in feel and is right on trend, you may want to consider a honed finish, which gives a sophisticated texture that still feels homey.
"Honed finishes are definitely winning," Mimi Meacham, founder and designer of Marian Louise Design, tells Domino. "The matte finish softens a space and feels less formal than high-gloss, which fits the overall shift toward comfort and natural materials," the designer explained. A honed finish is smooth and matte and can be applied to natural stone and other materials. The non-reflective surface gives a soft, velvety texture, and because of this, it conceals scratches better than its glossy counterparts. Its sleek, matte appearance looks subtly sophisticated, and can be tailored to a variety of different interior decorating styles. You'll find that a lot of manufacturers are now offering many more of their stone countertops with a honed finish, too.
A honed finish countertop can create a warm, lived-in ambiance for many reasons. Unlike polished stone, where light can reflect harshly on the material, honed finishes diffuse light, creating a softness that makes the space feel inviting and cozy. It should be noted, however, that because honed finishes are porous, they're prone to staining, but this can be prevented with adequate sealing when needed. Beyond that, though, a honed finish countertop imbues understated elegance that still creates a warmth to kitchens for that lived-in aesthetic.
How to style honed finishes to make your kitchen look lived-in
The great thing about a honed finish is that it can make any slab of stone look rustic and well-loved, whether your choice of material is naturally luxurious marble or more contemporary granite. Honed stone is safer when it comes to scratches and nicks, and it's also more slip-resistant, which are a couple of pros of choosing honed versus polished marble countertops. Plus, matte marble countertops complement different interior styles. For example, the sleek texture looks effortlessly elegant, and therefore fits contemporary or minimalist decor styles, while still making the area look cozy and inviting.
As far as styling honed countertops, you may consider integrating other softer elements, such as natural textures, terracotta planters, and exposed brick, to get that cozy, homey feel. Pairing the matte texture with organic materials, like natural wood floors or cabinets, can support a warm atmosphere in the kitchen, creating an intimate place for connecting and sharing meals. Lighting is also key here; warm lighting can complement your countertop's soft matte texture. For example, brass pendant lighting can give off a lovely soft glow to accentuate the coziness of the space.
Consider contrasting your honed countertops with rougher textures, like limestone backsplashes or copper hardware, for example, to offset the softness of the countertops. This also works when pairing the matte finish with glossy ceramic tiles for the backsplash, as another example. These styling choices can still make the space feel inviting while adding a subtle texture variety in the kitchen.