4 Unique Granite Counter Styles

Granite countertops have dominated interior décor trends in the United States for nearly three decades. They have come to replace Corian and quartz because homeowners are more interested in natural-stone materials, and they tend to be more durable and easier to maintain than marble. The popularity of granite has made slabs and tiles affordable while stone masons and interior designers have come up with creative ideas to make countertop installations more interesting. You no longer have to settle for a rectangular slab cut to perfection with a bullnose edge. Here are four unique styles to consider when installing granite countertops in your home. 1. Waterfall Panels Also known as countertop risers, waterfall panels can be found in designer and gourmet kitchens with center islands that beg to be showcased. If you have an open floor plan where the living room and dining areas merge with the kitchen, this is a style you’ll want. Essentially, waterfall panels are slabs cut for vertical installation down the sides of kitchen counters. What you get is a gorgeous piece of furniture built into your house, and all you need to do is properly maintain it with a stone-safe granite cleaner, sealer, and polish. If your center island does not have a stove and is used only as a prep surface, a waterfall granite panel allows you to use the island as a breakfast bar. 2. LED Backlighting When your kitchen or bathroom countertops are set against the wall, a nice touch would be to add back splashes and LED lights hidden along the bottom of aerial cabinets. The best situation to apply this style is when the pattern and color of the granite deserves to be highlighted. The advantage of LED lighting is that it consumes less electricity and is brighter than incandescent bulbs. Moreover, LED strips and bulbs are now very affordable. 3. Overhang Installations You can transform a center island into a breakfast bar by choosing a slab that hangs over one of the long edges. To make the center island sturdier, you can install waterfall panels. If it already features a sink, it can double as a wet bar and be complemented with a small liquor cabinet. You will only need to get matching stools or high chairs to complete the transformation. 4. Radius Countertops If your counters have enough space on either short edge, you can apply a rounded overhang that evokes the look of a Roman radius, a rectangular structure with a semicircular entrance or courtyard. If the radius of this overhang is large enough, you can use the surface as a seating area or hire a cabinet maker to design a cupboard space underneath. In bathroom counters, a radius overhang will allow you to install a couple of small shelves underneath, or you can place a shelving cart. When you have granite countertops in your home, it’s important to clean and seal them regularly to maintain their quality. However, another important step is using a safe-on-stone granite polish. At Granite Gold®, all of our cleaning, sealing, and polishing products are safe to use on granite, and the same goes for other types of natural stone such as marble, travertine, slate, and limestone. Give us a call today at 1-800-475-STONE to learn more.