Neither is universally better; the right choice depends on your lifestyle. Quartz is better for low-maintenance, stain resistance, and modern aesthetics. Granite is better if you want a natural, unique stone with high heat resistance and outdoor durability.
While granite is still used, its popularity has declined due to shifts in interior design trends and the rise of low-maintenance, uniform engineered stones. People are moving away from older, heavily speckled granite in favor of sleeker, more minimalist aesthetics.
Quartz and granite are both premium, highly desirable materials for kitchen and bathroom countertops. Neither is objectively "better," but quartz is currently more popular and desirable for modern homes due to its low maintenance and consistent appearance. The right choice depends on your personal lifestyle and aesthetic priorities.
Quartz remains the most popular countertop material overall due to its unbeatable blend of low maintenance, high durability, and diverse design options. However, porcelain and natural stones with bold, authentic veining (like quartzite and marble) are rapidly gaining ground as homeowners shift away from artificially manufactured patterns.
20 square feet of quartz countertop typically costs between $1,000 and $4,000 fully installed. This translates to about $50 to $200 per square foot, covering both the raw material and professional fabrication/installation.
Dawn dish soap is safe to use on quartz countertops, provided it is heavily diluted with warm water. It is considered one of the best and safest daily cleaning methods because it cuts through grease without introducing the harsh acids or alkalis found in many commercial cleaners.
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.
Currently, over-speckled, multi-toned granite, overly dramatic or artificial quartz veining, flat gray, and saturated primary colors are considered outdated. Modern kitchen designs prioritize softer, natural aesthetics and earth tones over these high-contrast or flat artificial surfaces.
Vinegar slowly eats away at the protective sealant on granite countertops. Over time, repeated exposure strips this barrier, exposing the stone's porous surface. This leads to a dull, cloudy finish, increased susceptibility to stains, and potential surface pitting.
Kitchens in 2026 are shifting away from stark whites and cold grays toward warmth and personality. Top designers are leaning into nature-inspired greens, warm earthy neutrals, moody jewel tones, and classic two-tone combinations to create inviting, bespoke spaces.
Using Clorox wipes on quartz countertops can cause dullness, etching, and discoloration over time. Because quartz is made of natural stone held together by polymer resins, harsh chemicals and acids in the wipes—like citric acid—can break down that resin binder and fade the stone's color.
Vinegar does not harm pure quartz mineral crystals, but it can permanently damage manufactured quartz countertops by dissolving the resins holding them together. The effect depends entirely on the form of the quartz:
Whether a material is "better" than quartz depends entirely on what you prioritize, as quartz is uniquely engineered for low maintenance. For absolute heat resistance, natural uniqueness, or eco-friendliness, other materials outshine it.
Granite colors that feature busy, multi-toned speckling—particularly heavily speckled warm browns, beiges, and golds popular in the 1990s and early 2000s—are largely considered out of style. Modern design favors simpler aesthetics, opting instead for solid neutral colors or larger, sweeping, organic veins.
Dawn dish soap is safe for granite when heavily diluted with warm water. It is excellent for cutting through everyday grease and food residue. However, because Dawn is formulated to strip grease, using it too frequently can degrade the protective sealant on your granite over time.
For 20 linear feet of granite countertops, you can expect to pay between $1,600 and $4,000 fully installed. Because counters are usually roughly 2 feet deep, this equates to 40 square feet of material. Your total cost will mostly depend on the specific grade of the granite you choose.
You shouldn't use harsh or abrasive cleaners and sponges.
Acidic cleaners like vinegar, lemon, lime, and Windex should be avoided, as well as anything with ammonia or bleach. Frequent use of these chemicals will dull and weaken the sealant over time.
Never clean granite with harsh acids, alkaline chemicals, or abrasive scrubbers. These strip the protective sealant, leaving the porous stone vulnerable to stains, etching, and dull spots.
The best granite countertop cleaners are pH-balanced and non-abrasive. These specialty formulas remove grime without degrading the protective sealant. Highly acidic items (like vinegar or lemon juice) can scratch or dull the polish.
The newest kitchen counter trends lean away from sterile minimalism, embracing warm, natural stones (like quartzite and marble) with bold, sweeping veining, and earthy tones. Designers are also prioritizing matte or honed finishes over polished ones, and using the countertop material to seamlessly extend up the wall as a matching backsplash.
Designers recommend avoiding colors that are overly trendy, too high-maintenance, or visually jarring. Avoid stark white (feels clinical), cool grays (feels sterile), and jet black (shows every fingerprint/dust speck). Additionally, avoid loud primaries, neons, and pastels, which can easily make the kitchen look childish or date quickly.
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.
Designers rely on colors that evoke timelessness, warmth, or deliberate drama to create a high-end feel. The most popular colors for an expensive-looking kitchen fall into four specific categories:
Yes, Dawn dish soap is safe for quartz countertops, provided you use it heavily diluted in warm water.
The three most popular countertop materials are quartz, quartzite, and granite. These surfaces strike a strong balance between lasting durability and high-end visual appeal.