You should get soapstone countertops if you want a non-porous, highly heat-resistant surface with a rustic patina, but you should avoid them if you dislike regular maintenance or visible wear.
Soapstone is a heat-resistant, non-porous natural stone, but its high talc content makes it soft and prone to scratching. Key drawbacks include susceptibility to surface damage, the need for regular oiling, and a limited color palette compared to harder stones like granite or quartz.
Quartz and natural quartzite are the top trends, favored for their durability and striking, high-contrast veining. Alongside these, matte finishes, earthy tones, and ultra-durable porcelain are redefining kitchen spaces.
Countertops in 2026 are shifting away from sterile, cool grays toward warm, organic, and dramatic looks. The biggest trends prioritize inviting neutrals (creams, beiges, and taupes), sweeping natural veins, and bold, earth-toned statement stones.
Quartz is highly durable, resisting scratches, stains, and chips for lasting performance. Soapstone is softer and more prone to scratches and dents, though many marks can be buffed out with effort.
Yes, you can absolutely put hot pans on soapstone. It is highly heat-resistant and won't scorch, crack, or suffer thermal shock from high temperatures. In fact, it is often used for this exact reason.
No, quartzite is generally more expensive than soapstone. While both are premium natural stone countertops, the higher cost of quartzite is driven by its complex quarrying process and high demand for its marble-like appearance and superior durability.
Yes, Dawn dish soap is safe for quartz countertops. It is one of the best everyday cleaners you can use, provided it is heavily diluted with warm water.
Dark floors pair particularly well with lighter countertops in large kitchens, where there is enough natural light to prevent the space from feeling heavy. Charcoal tiles, dark-stained engineered wood, or concrete-effect porcelain are often used to create a strong architectural base.
A kitchen is typically considered outdated when it suffers from a combination of failing appliances, poor lighting, worn-out surfaces, and an isolating, disjointed layout. Trends evolve, and what was once fashionable can make the entire heart of the home feel less functional and visually unappealing.
Kitchen designs in 2026 embrace warm minimalism, trading cold, all-white aesthetics for inviting, personality-driven spaces. The top trends this year focus on natural materials, seamless smart technology, and highly customized layouts.
Kitchen cabinet colors that feel dated include stark, clinical all-white, cool minimalist grays, and red-toned woods like cherry or honey-oak. Flat, one-dimensional brown-on-brown color schemes and overly bright primary colors have also fallen out of style.
This makes quartz a perfect soapstone alternativeopens in a new tab for your space. Busy families and home cooks will love the durability of quartz countertops that are able to withstand daily use while resisting scratches, chips, and stains. Quartz is also nonabsorbent, so it doesn't harbor bacteria.
Quartz and Quartzite Are Top Countertop Choices
Quartz is still the number one material choice for countertops, according to 78% of the respondents. (Its popularity makes sense, though! You get the look of natural stone with none of the maintenance.) Quartzite—aka the real stuff—is in second place.
Soapstone is a natural stone that is soft and porous, making it susceptible to scratches, stains, and damage from acidic and alkaline substances. To keep your soapstone countertops looking their best, it is important to clean and seal them regularly.
Yes, using Clorox wipes on quartz countertops can cause damage. While a single wipe-up in an emergency likely won't cause immediate harm, relying on them regularly can break down the polymer resin binder in the quartz, leading to dullness, a loss of shine, and discoloration over time.
Avoid acidic, abrasive, or harsh cleaners.
These can discolor or scratch the surface of your countertops. Avoid bleach, acetone, oil-based soaps like Murphy's Oil, or abrasive cleaners like Soft Scrub.
Those crystals are the foundation of granite's reflective quality. The most important minerals responsible for sparkle are quartz and mica. Quartz crystals are naturally glassy and reflective. Mica, especially muscovite and biotite, produces tiny reflective flakes that shimmer under light.
Countertop trends emphasize warm earthy tones, bold natural stone movement, and textured, matte finishes. Homeowners are moving away from sterile, solid-color surfaces in favor of dramatic veining, moody hues, and highly durable, low-maintenance materials that act as functional art.
Beige, taupe, and "mushroom" neutrals are officially replacing the cool, sterile grays of the last decade. Designers are leaning into warm khakis, sandy beiges, creamy whites, and earthy tones that add a cozy, comforting energy to spaces.
Experts recommend working with a lighter countertop than a cabinet for the perfect color blend. This combination makes the countertop installation job ideal for the ultimate kitchen outlook.
Soapstone is a beautiful, heat-resistant natural stone, but it has notable drawbacks. The primary cons include its softness, which leads to scratching and denting, the need for regular oiling to maintain an even color, limited design options, and a premium price tag.
In fact, the average cost of quartz puts it somewhere right in the middle of countertop prices. Most quartz countertops cost anywhere from $90 to $185 per square foot. That's much higher than a laminate counter ($20 to $60 per square foot) or a tile countertop ($25 to $90 per square foot).
To achieve the matte, veined aesthetic of soapstone with the durability of quartz, leading manufacturers offer specific lines that mimic its signature charcoal-to-grey coloring and soft glow. These surfaces capture that classic charm while requiring far less maintenance.