Kitchen Countertop Ideas: Which Counter-Edge Design is Best?
Square, mitered, waterfall or bullnose? See what counter-edge style looks best to you
It’s the details that make a kitchen unique. Every small choice intersects to create the finished product – and as many who have endured a remodel know, the small choices can be agonising. Selecting an edge profile for your countertops is one of these choices. Here’s a quick study in a few of the options and what they look like as part of a greater whole.
Square and mitered
Most of the time when you see an extra-thick countertop, it’s a mitered edge. Meaning that the thickness is standard either 2cm or 3cm with a mitered frame around the sides, making the slab look thicker. This is a great way to make your kitchen countertops the focal point, and it can work well in either a modern or traditional kitchen.
Wondering which countertop finish is right for your kitchen?
Most of the time when you see an extra-thick countertop, it’s a mitered edge. Meaning that the thickness is standard either 2cm or 3cm with a mitered frame around the sides, making the slab look thicker. This is a great way to make your kitchen countertops the focal point, and it can work well in either a modern or traditional kitchen.
Wondering which countertop finish is right for your kitchen?
Eased and mitered edge
This mitered stone top has a slightly eased edge and rounded corners. As you can see, the smallest change in detail makes the stone look very different.
Find a kitchen designer to design your kitchen
This mitered stone top has a slightly eased edge and rounded corners. As you can see, the smallest change in detail makes the stone look very different.
Find a kitchen designer to design your kitchen
Square with a waterfall edge
Another way to make your stone countertops a focal point is to run them vertically down the edge of the island.
Learn all about waterfall counters
Another way to make your stone countertops a focal point is to run them vertically down the edge of the island.
Learn all about waterfall counters
Marine edge
This is profile is more often seen on stainless steel countertops. It’s a built-up thickness, but rather than mitered, the outside edge is raised. I’m assuming the term “marine edge” refers to how this detail keeps liquids from running off the countertop.
These are the most popular countertop materials
This is profile is more often seen on stainless steel countertops. It’s a built-up thickness, but rather than mitered, the outside edge is raised. I’m assuming the term “marine edge” refers to how this detail keeps liquids from running off the countertop.
These are the most popular countertop materials
Unique variations
This edge profile almost looks like a square Dupont. Take a look at the profile drawings at the end of this ideabook.
This edge profile almost looks like a square Dupont. Take a look at the profile drawings at the end of this ideabook.
This intricate profile looks like a Dupont Square with a rounded-top edge.
This custom edge profile looks a bit like a mini French Cove mixed with an Offset Dupont. I love the contrast of the modern sink and the more traditional cabinetry and edge profile on the stone.
Here are a few line drawings of countertop edge profiles for reference. As you can see the options are almost limitless.
Feel free to get creative by starting with one of the basic profiles and asking your stone fabricator to modify it.
Read more:
10 Stunning Kitchen Countertop & Backsplash Combinations
Tell us:
What countertop edge have you chosen for your kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
10 Stunning Kitchen Countertop & Backsplash Combinations
Tell us:
What countertop edge have you chosen for your kitchen? Tell us in the Comments below.
Less is often more. In a clean-lined and simple kitchen, a basic 3cm-square profile works best. Each kitchen has something that stands out and says “look at me.” Sometimes it’s the tile, sometimes it’s the lighting, and sometimes it’s the countertop material.
I make it a rule to avoid having everything shout for attention; that way there’s some breathing room. In this kitchen the countertops are more quiet while the tile takes a bit more of centre stage.