Eugene’s Marble & Granite, a granite, quartz, quartzite, and marble countertop fabricator and installer, has installed over 10,000 granite, quartz, quartzite, and marble kitchen countertops since 1995.
Table of Contents
- Warm, Natural Tones Replace Cool Gray
- Honed and Leathered Finishes Keep Gaining Ground
- Rounded Edges Start to Replace the Straight Edge
- Full Height Slab Backsplashes Gain Ground
- Mixed Material Kitchens: Stone, Wood, and Metal Together
- Quartzite Still Leads Among Natural Stone
- What This Means for Charleston Homeowners Planning Ahead
- Frequently Asked Questions
Charleston homeowners preparing for their kitchen or bathroom renovation are already wondering what’s next after 2026? From more interesting color combinations to more relaxed edges, here are the 2027 countertop trends Charleston homeowners can look forward to seeing in showrooms this year, based on national design forecasts, and what we are already hearing questions about in our own showroom, in kitchens and baths:
Warm, Natural Tones Replace Cool Gray
Bright white, flat, and cool gray are going out of style. Instead, designers are looking to more natural and warmer shades for 2027.
- The use of cream and ivory as a novel neutral base.
- Soft taupe and warm beige.
- Sandy and mushroom colors
- Shades of deep chocolate brown accents on more eye-catching pieces
This change goes hand-in-hand with Charleston’s light. The warmer colors of stone simply blend in more to the homes on the peninsula, as well as to older neighborhoods, where the floors are made from heart pine and the traditional millwork is intact, whereas a cooler stone look might seem imposed.
Honed and Leathered Finishes Keep Gaining Ground
The trend towards less high-gloss polished stone is no one-year phenomenon. So, the texture will continue to grow through 2027 and will now be the rule for new installations, rather than the exception, with honed and leathered finishes replacing polished as the go-to finish.
This change has been discussed in our article on Leathered vs. Honed Finish Countertops, so here are the highlights: Some types of stones are best suited to a textured finish, others are best suited to a polished finish, and the cost is higher than a polished finish. The abbreviated version for the year 2027: If you are selecting a finish for today, then texture will be a very popular trend well into 2027.
Rounded Edges Start to Replace the Straight Edge
Over the years, the straight square edge has been the standard for new countertops. It is beginning to change, though. Edge profiles rounded and softened are becoming more common in 2027 forecasts, partly for a number of practical reasons:
- Rounded corners are safer around the youngsters and high-traffic islands
- They help to reduce impact risk on corners in congested kitchens.
A good trick to do if planning a remodel for 2027 is to ask to view a rounded/ eased edge sample next to a standard straight edge before making a decision.
Full Height Slab Backsplashes Gain Ground
A full height slab backsplash is also one of the hottest trends in the near future, which features a single slab of stone going from the countertop down to the back of the cabinets or ceiling behind the range. It is practical as well as looks good:
- There are no grout lines to clean up behind the cooktop
- This eliminates the need to have both a countertop and a separate backsplash and helps the whole wall hold together.
- It looks more finished and customizable than the standard kitchen without affecting the kitchen’s design.
It can be an easy change to make if you are replacing the countertops, as it can be easy to run up the wall with the same slab used in the countertop replacements.
Mixed Material Kitchens: Stone, Wood, and Metal Together
While some 2027 designs match all surfaces within the kitchen, others are choosing to combine materials by design. A typical combination is a bold veined or movement-heavy statement piece of stone and a bolder contrasting piece of perimeter stone that’s simpler in color, with wood and metal accents added in, via the cabinetry, shelving, or fixtures.
Porcelain and other sintered surfaces are still being used here, particularly in the case of a waterfall island or a thin, dramatic edge. If you’d like to learn more about how it compares to granite, quartz, and quartzite for everyday applications, we dive into that material in detail in our countertop materials comparison guide.
Quartzite Still Leads Among Natural Stone
Quartzite has nothing new under the sun, but it’s not going away in 2027 either. It came in second to only quartz when designers were asked in the most recent kitchen trends survey by the National Kitchen and Bath Association about materials they used, beating out granite and marble.
The reasons remain the same: real movement and veining of stone, high heat resistance and scratch resistance, and honed and leathered finishes. Whether you’re considering quartzite countertop options in Charleston or another option, our quartzite pricing guide will help you understand cost trends.
What This Means for Charleston Homeowners Planning Ahead
If you’re thinking about remodeling, but it won’t occur until further into 2027, there’s no need to speculate. Some sensible actions today can ensure your project’s success in the direction the industry is in:
- Request both honed/leathered and polished samples, not just one finish
- Consider warm-toned slabs, not the cool gray slabs that were dominant in the previous few years.
- If you’re replacing the countertop and backsplash at the same time, you may want to opt for a full height backsplash.
- Inquire about rounded edges, particularly when it’s a hectic family kitchen.
There is no one right answer because Charleston homes vary widely by neighborhood, from the historic peninsula to surrounding communities like West Ashley, James Island and Mount Pleasant. For a historic house with existing millwork, the choices will generally gravitate toward the warmer, more textured natural stone, while a newer construction will leave some room for adventurous combinations of materials and a “statement island.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What color will be popular for countertops in 2027?
Expect cream, ivory, taupe, and mushroom to be warm, natural shades, with the cool gray and flat white color schemes that have been popular over the last few years falling out of vogue.
Will honed and leathered finishes cost more than polished ones?
If the texture is an extra fabricating process, it is normally yes. The actual difference will depend upon the stone and project size, so the only way to compare can be by getting a free estimate regarding the specific slab.
Is quartzite still a good long-term choice heading into 2027?
Yes. Durable and natural, quartzite was the second most mentioned material among designers’ top choices in the latest survey from the National Kitchen and Bath Association, and should continue to stay in the top echelon of material choices through 2027.
Should I choose trendy colors and finishes or stick with something timeless?
Warm neutrals and honed/leathered finishes are becoming more of a longer-term item rather than a short-term fad and will not quickly become outdated. A stone that has good natural movement will age more favorably than a very particular color, which is an integral part of one moment.
Do rounded countertop edges cost more to fabricate?
If the edge of the product is complex, it may impact the fabrication cost, so when one receives an estimate, they should also specify the edge profile of a product that is rounded or eased.
Since 1995, Eugene’s Marble & Granite has been making and fitting countertops throughout the Charleston area, having completed over 10,000 kitchens. We monitor material and design trends all year round, which is how we’re able to assist you in selecting a countertop that looks great long after it’s installed.
Looking to a 2027 remodel? Call us today or drop by to check out your free quote and available slabs, finishes, and edges!
See our kitchen countertops in Charleston page for more information on material selection, or visit the National Kitchen and Bath Association or Decorilla’s 2027 kitchen trends report for authoritative information on the industry.
