“The waterfall edge is a very nice transitional -to-contemporary design element but definitely a CRAZE!” Chris Powers, Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath. “Hesitantly, this trendsetting feature of kitchen design would be categorized as a craze. It's become quite popular lately, and if done well, it's so amazing!
Waterfall countertops are considered more of a modern style. I do feel its more likely to not go out of style if it's based on a good, clean design. It's almost a dramatic way of displaying a beautiful countertop. So, be picky about the countertop material you are choosing.
Waterfall countertops are popular on kitchen islands because they act as a dramatic focal point in the room. They can also be used on exposed sides of cabinets that do not butt up against a wall. Waterfall countertops can be made from stone, wood, and other materials.
Among renovating homeowners, a built-in island is the most sought-after kitchen feature after pantry cabinets, according to a 2017 Houzz kitchen-trends survey of 2,707 people. She notes that as houses grew, islands, popular since the 1980s, have grown along with them.
Waterfall Countertop Cost
Installation will run you as much as $100 per square foot. These costs are no different than what you'd pay for the materials and installation of a conventional countertop. Of course, you'll need more material — but the cost per square foot is typically the same.
Waterfall islands, generously sized islands, and countertop materials that continue seamlessly onto walls are all kitchen trends of 2022.
Waterfall Island Countertop
Waterfall countertops are no doubt a show-stopper. These islands provide a seamless, custom look with the countertops flowing over the edge just like a waterfall. The edging is typically a flat-edge design to showcase the contemporary look.
Kitchen islands can waste a lot of space, and although you may love the one you've seen in House and Garden, if you don't have room you're just going to hem yourself in. But if you make the island too small, it's just as bad. It will be a pointless obstruction, and too small to have a purpose.
Natural materials, like wood and stone, are always in style. Have your contractor install maple, birch, or cherry cabinets. Look for stone options such as granite, limestone, or slate. Your kitchen will be stylish and trendy both now and in the future.
A table tends to have more seating capacity than the typical island. Kitchen tables may be more comfortable when actually sitting down to eat or doing activities such as working from home or homework. However, seating at a kitchen island is usually in the heart of the action.
If you want a bold but clean edge, waterfall is a good option and on-trend for 2021. Rather than simply ending with an eased edge, the countertop angles toward the floor and continues down the side of the cabinet, island, or seating.
The most prominent kitchen countertop trends for 2021 include quartz counters resembling marble. The grey, white, and other lighter colored variants have been trendy. Apart from this, it is also likely that you will get to see substances that closely look like natural stone in medium and darker shades of grey.
As far as kitchen countertop trends go, quartz countertops are a trend that has been around for quite a while now — and that trend is unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon.
What is a waterfall countertop? This is a countertop that drops vertically to the edge of a cabinet. It creates a continuous flow, linking the cabinet in a natural and fluid manner. Waterfall countertops are a more modern style.
Cost of a Waterfall Edge Countertop
Granite: $15–$140 per square foot. Soapstone: $20–$70 per square foot. Marble: $25–$60 per square foot.
Subway tile is the most enduring choice for a backsplash. Avoid bold, trendy colors, and instead look for white or neutrals. Keep it simple, and bring in color elsewhere in the kitchen, with more easily replaced items, such as dish towels, art, bowls of fruit and rugs.
Tiny Backsplashes
Skinny backsplashes are out of style, we are happy to report. A ceramic tile or glass backsplash that stretches from counter to cabinets is much easier to keep clean, and is more likely to catch spills and splatters.
Well, it should be no surprise… the classic white cabinet will still be the #1 cabinet color for kitchens in 2022 and beyond. White is crisp and clean, will brighten any kitchen, and will most likely never go out of style.
Cons of Kitchen Islands
Appliance placement problems because the island can be hard to vent and requires special wiring and plumbing. Budget problems if the island is too large or if the finishes are too costly. Space constrictions in tight kitchens.
The timeless white on kitchen cabinets is on its way out in 2020. Instead, deep blues and greens are a hot choice for creating a great warm mood.
While there any many improvements that can be undertaken in the kitchen — from custom kitchen cabinets to modernized fixtures, to tiled backsplash — the inclusion of a kitchen island can create much more value for your family than simply adding storage and prep space.
Pros of Waterfall Kitchen Countertops
Waterfall kitchen countertops are showstoppers, they instantly make your kitchen unique, give it personality and an impressive look. Besides, the stone on the side of the cabinets also acts as a protective barrier, shielding the cabinets from normal wear-and-tear.
Your kitchen island does not have to match. Although matching an island to surrounding cabinets and countertops creates symmetry within a kitchen, using different cabinet colors or different countertops can turn an island into a beautiful focal point that complements the rest of your kitchen.
Quartz and granite countertops are priced similarly per square foot, with granite counters having the wider variation in price. Granite can be more expensive than quartz at times, based on the availability of a color and pattern.