Introduction: Kitchen Countertop
From colorful terrazzo to patinated metal and refined marble. These stunning original kitchen countertop are sure to add character to your kitchen. A few drops of coffee in the morning, splashes of olive oil at lunchtime, or a spilled glass of red wine in the evening. Kitchen countertops endure a lot every day. That’s why it’s important to choose a material that’s both durable and easy to clean. Of course, aesthetics play a crucial role as well, and luckily, the range of available materials is growing wider than ever. Here are eleven countertops that are as beautiful as they are functional.
1- A Shimmering Stainless Steel Kitchen in Paris
Stainless steel kitchens have become a go-to choice for many. With brushed, polished, or patinated finishes, stainless steel offers a wealth of practical advantages: durability, heat resistance, and impeccable hygiene. Its reflective properties can make spaces feel larger, a particularly valuable feature in small kitchen.
Kim Haddou and Florent Dufourcq understood this perfectly when they renovated their 1960s apartment in the Marais, Paris. Their stainless steel kitchen, from the legs to the countertop, strikes a perfect balance between functionality and elegance while maximizing the room’s light.
2- A Playful and Colorful Kitchen in Berlin
In Berlin, Jakob Dannenfeld and Sina Gwosdzik from Jäll & Tofta let their creativity flow once again with a kitchen that harmoniously blends vibrant colors, natural materials, and geometric shapes. Soft pink walls pair beautifully with pastel blue cabinets, while abstract black lighting fixtures illuminate both the countertop and dining area.
For the original kitchen countertop, they chose a durable and eco-friendly material: speckled blue recycled plastic by Smile Plastics, which offers both longevity and style.
3- A Frankfurt Kitchen Revisited in Berlin
Originally designed nearly a century ago by architect Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky as part of the “Das Neue Frankfurt” project, the iconic Frankfurt kitchen remains a timeless reference. Inspired by this historic model, Dax I architects in Berlin recreated a modern, livable kitchen while preserving the original’s structure, materials, and colors.
Lacquered blue MDF cabinets combine with a practical, budget-friendly black laminate original kitchen countertop. White ceramic tiles by Golem Baukeramik provide an elegant backsplash, merging tradition with modern sensibility.
4- A Country Kitchen with Soft Colors and Natural Materials
This charming country-style kitchen by deVOL, located in a beach house on the southern coast of Britain, perfectly reflects the romantic and playful tastes of its owner, designer Pearl Lowe.
She envisioned a warm and welcoming space, using soft colors, natural materials like marble and wood, and carefully chosen vintage details to create a unique, personal environment. Even on rainy days, this kitchen remains a lively hub for the whole family, making it an ideal vacation retreat.
5- A Terrazzo Lover’s Dream Kitchen
This “blueberry” steel kitchen in Düsseldorf is full of surprises, starting with its vibrant terrazzo countertops. Architects Eva and Constantin Boss, who live in the home, embraced the “Cradle to Cradle” concept, focusing on circular construction that promotes closed material cycles.
They chose lightweight infra concrete, a durable material that can be easily reused without adhesives. For the countertops and even the sink, they used white and green terrazzo, perfectly aligning with their eco-friendly vision. The modular kitchen furniture from Popstahl is not only durable but also sustainable, with no glue or solvents involved. The bold, pop-colored designs of Popstahl complete this timeless yet audacious kitchen.
6- A Kitchen Where Boundaries Blur
Architect André Vilar de Azevedo describes his interior project, in a 1930s renovated Lisbon apartment as “chic minimalism with an Art Deco twist.” The owner, an art enthusiast, wanted a kitchen with the aesthetics and comfort of a living room. The original wooden floor and golden accents bring elegance and warmth. But the true star is the kitchenette, sculpted from a single block of Estremoz marble.
The marble’s natural veins is highlighted by the architect. It showcase a stunning range of hues, from pale gray to coral pink and deep black. This turns the kitchen into a visual masterpiece. Carefully selected artworks and vintage pieces enhance the atmosphere, merging functionality and beauty.
7- Vibrant Tiles Brighten a Wooden Kitchen in New York
Tile by tile, the vibrant atmosphere of this six-story corner building in New York’s East Village comes to life, thanks to its ceramic brilliance. GRT Architects paid homage to the original 20th-century mosaics found in the building’s lobby by incorporating tiles into the kitchen design of one of the apartments. The flooring, backsplash, and even the central island are adorned with a range of colored tiles.
The deep burgundy island stands out as a sculptural centerpiece with its ceramic finish. Meanwhile, a hand-laid mustard and white checkerboard floor elegantly separates the kitchen from the rest of the space. To maintain visual continuity, some oak cabinets are elevated on brass legs, adding a touch of lightness and elegance to this semi-open kitchen.
8- Green Lava Stone by Zurich’s Blue Lake
Interior designer Victoria Maria recently transformed a house in Erlenbach, near Lake Zurich, completely overhauling its living spaces, bedrooms, and bathroom, and giving the kitchen a bold new look. The family, living in this brutalist 1988 home designed by Swiss architect Ernst Gisel, wanted a space where they could cook, eat, and gather outside of mealtimes. Victoria Maria delivered a cozy bench seating area alongside her custom-made “Roger Table,” perfectly fitted to the room’s short wall, creating a welcoming family area.
To ensure visual cohesion, she chose a bright green glazed lava stone for the countertop, sink, and backsplash. To further differentiate this kitchen, she combined the textured concrete ceiling with dark Spanish marble and polished brass, creating a one-of-a-kind green kitchen with a distinctive identity.
9- Back to the 80s with White, Pink, and Gold
This color palette, blending bright white, pastel pink, and vibrant turquoise, instantly transports us back to the 1980s. Bettina Neseker designed this kitchen as the centerpiece of a 170-square-meter apartment in Amsterdam, home to a family of four. With complete creative freedom, the Dutch architect chose a bright cream-white for the floors, walls, and ceiling, providing a clean and fresh backdrop.
The highlight? A kitchen island partially covered with strips of onyx in various sizes, topped with a lacquered gold wood original kitchen countertop and finished with epoxy resin. Initially dissatisfied with the golden fronts upon delivery, Neseker quickly repainted them with metallic paint to match the rest of the kitchen. The final touch? A pink stovetop, fulfilling the owners’ desire for an island that’s “anything but ordinary.” To complete the Miami Vice vibe, colorful chairs, flowers, candles, paintings, and even a palm-print rug were added, making this family kitchen truly unique.
10- Pure Glamour with Onyx Marble, Oak, and a Garden View
Constanze Ladner draws inspiration from the 1950s suburban houses of Germany, known for their peaked, sloping roofs. Her latest project, “Haus TH” (short for Traumhaus, or dream house), features an iconic roofline as a central design theme. As usual, she began with the kitchen design, located on the ground floor near the garden.
To bring nature inside, light oak wall coverings and full-height cabinets provide a calming backdrop, showcasing the striking centerpiece—a central island made from green apple onyx marble. Ladner describes the island as “almost an embrace.” A cozy seating area with a round table and green velvet bench, large enough for five people, adds warmth and conviviality to this bright space.
11- Red Marble and Red Cabinets: A Perfect Match
When Stefanie Brechbuehler and Robert Highsmith, founders of the design and architecture firm Workstead, renovated their 1850s cottage, they were expecting twins. Functionality was at the heart of their design for the 110-square-meter space. To create a spacious yet practical kitchen for their growing family, the couple reimagined the layout, incorporating smart storage solutions. Large built-in cabinets with pull-out shelves allow small appliances like toasters and coffee machines to be neatly hidden away, keeping the kitchen organized and tidy, perfect for a busy family lifestyle.
