Design | 6 July 2021

Trend Alert: Stunning Kitchen Benchtops

by Carlisle Homes

Create a beautiful space that will perform well for years to come - Discover the latest trends in kitchen benchtops.

When it comes to your new kitchen, the type of benchtop you choose is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. What you select not only affects the overall look of your kitchen, but as the hardest working surface in the space, it needs to be durable and long-lasting too. If you’re looking for inspiration, here are the latest kitchen benchtop trends you need to know about.

Which materials are trending?

Natural stone such as marble is having a moment in kitchen design right now. But while it’s a timeless material that adds unmistakable luxury to a cooking space, it’s not the most practical. Natural marble is expensive to buy and install and, being porous, it soaks up liquids like a sponge and stains easily if it’s not regularly sealed.

Engineered stone such as Caesarstone®, which is available as included and an optional upgrade to your new Carlisle home, is a popular alternative to natural stone. It comes in a vast range of colours and finishes, including several colours that mimic different marble looks. It gives you the luxurious look and feel of natural marble, but it’s tougher, non-porous, doesn’t require sealing, plus it’s stain-, heat- and scratch-resistant. With Caesarstone, you get a timeless and elegant look, with none of the maintenance hassles.

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Timeless elegance with a longer lifespan! Enjoy the enhanced durability and longevity of Caesarstone for your kitchen benchtops. Caesarstone 6134 Georgian Bluffs™ featured in: Astoria Grand, Attwell Estate, Deanside.

Which colours are popular?

Soft, earth-based colours are leading kitchen benchtop trends in 2021. They’re relaxed, easy to live with, and sit beautifully alongside other popular kitchen materials, such as timber and brass. Think pure white, such as Caesarstone’s new Vivid White™, which captures the elegance of white marble to create a crisp, contemporary look in your kitchen. Or new Caesarstone Palm Shade, an earthy white with discreet veining that adds a gently textured feel to your cooking space.

Concrete is another popular finish for kitchens. This year it’s shaking off its hard, industrial edge and coming through in softer, lighter-toned versions. Caesarstone’s new Midday gives you the look of smooth, white-tinted concrete, with tiny warm grey flecks that add texture and movement. Meanwhile, new Caesarstone Clearskies is a warm beton grey endowed with tiny flecks of rich grey that brings a sense of richness to kitchens.

When it comes to marble patterning, we’re seeing bolder veining and patterns coming through in kitchen benchtop trends for 2021. Caesarstone’s new Calacatta Maximus™ features prominent veining in soft tones of grey interspersed with delicate copper detailing – a striking design that’s guaranteed to get people talking.

At the other end of the spectrum, bold black as a benchtop colour has lost none of its appeal in 2021 (read our previous story about it here) – and it’s ideal if you’re looking to add drama to your open-plan kitchen. Create a moody look by pairing it with matt black cabinetry, or create a striking contrast by combining black benchtop and white cabinetry with touches of timber. Caesarstone colours to consider for your benchtops include Empira Black™, a deep black with fine white natural veins, and Piatra Grey™, a dark, slate grey with chalky white patterning.

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Combining rich black with fine white natural veins, Empira Black™ is perfect for establishing a bold yet elegant contrast between your benchtop and cabinetry. Image source: Caesarstone®

What are some of the latest application trends?

Add impact with strong cohesion throughout your home. Extending your benchtop material up to your splashback and butler’s pantry is a great way to achieve stylish consistency. Or go a step further by carrying your kitchen benchtop material to your bathroom vanity, laundry and built-in storage in your living room. Some Caesarstone finishes are suitable for outdoor use too, allowing you to carry your interior style through to your alfresco entertaining area. Luxury and durability have never been easier!

Want to get the look?

  • View our extensive range of house plans to find your perfect home
  • No land? We've done the hard work and have a curated list of house and land packages featuring premium blocks paired with our award winning homes
  • Want to see us for yourself? Why not visit one of our display homes
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A kitchen should feel spacious and stylishly cohesive for it to function as an entertaining area and cooking space. Optimise visual consistency by carrying your stone-look benchtop through to your splashback. Caesarstone 5131 Calacatta Nuvo™ featured in: Clovelly, Woodlea Estate, Aintree.

The options are endless! Get a feel for the surface that best suits your interior and lifestyle by visiting one of Carlisle’s display homes across Melbourne. Or for more information about inclusions call one of our friendly staff on 1300 535 416.

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