Worktop ideas – 12 designs for a stunning kitchen

As well as being an everyday functional surface to prepare your meals on, your worktop is an integral part of your kitchen design. Or it certainly can be if you put some thought into it.

Most people opt for a worktop design that simply sits on their cabinets and blends in with the rest of the kitchen. But there are so many other things you can do with it that will significantly impact the overall look of the room.

Here are 12 worktop ideas you may not have thought about that will make your worktop stylish and practical.

1. Create a waterfall worktop

There’s no need to limit worktops to sitting horizontally on top of cabinets. They can be used vertically as well. So, instead of using cabinet side panels at the end of a run, why not use the worktop and create a waterfall effect instead?

Not only does this worktop idea look sleek and elegant, but it’s practical too. Because a worktop is more robust than cabinets, it can withstand the bumps and knocks those exposed ends are prone to. Especially if you choose a hardwearing worktop material like sintered stone, quartz or acrylic.

2. Mix and match worktop materials

Mixing worktop materials not only enhances the look of your kitchen, but it’s practical too. If you don’t want to mix the materials, you can mix and match colours instead.

Choose a durable, high-performance material, like sintered stone, acrylic or quartz for the work areas and mix it with less durable materials, like wood, in eating areas.

3. Wrap the worktop around your kitchen island

If you have enough room for an island in your kitchen, make it stand out by wrapping your worktop around the sides. You can either extend the panels to the floor or stop part of the way down, leaving your cabinets exposed at the bottom to act as a plinth.

Sintered stone, acrylic or quartz are the best materials for this worktop idea because they’re available in thin, lightweight slabs. But if you prefer the look of wood or marble, there are sintered stone worktop colours and designs that look like those materials too.

4. Integrate a breakfast bar

When you’re cooking, it’s lovely for guests or family to have somewhere to sit and chat while you’re doing it. That’s where this breakfast bar worktop idea comes in. You simply have the worktop cut bigger than the cabinets so it extends out and allows bar stools to fit underneath.

You’ll need to use a robust and solid worktop material like acrylic, sintered stone or quartz to get this look.

5. Add a flush-mounted hob

This worktop design idea is a must if ultra-sleek and contemporary is the look you’re going for in your kitchen. A flush-mounted hob sits in a recess in the worktop, so the work surface and hob’s surface are level. It looks stunning, and it’s practical because grease and dirt don’t get trapped around the hob’s edges, making it easier to clean.

You can install a flush-mounted hob with any solid surface worktop material, such as natural or sintered stone, acrylic or quartz.

6. Add curves

Curved worktop edging is popular in kitchens because it softens the overall look. It’s practical, too, particularly if you have kids because curves round off sharp corners that could be a hazard. Curves in worktops can be cut to mirror curved kitchen cabinets. Or you can create unusual shapes on a breakfast bar, for example.

Choose any solid surface worktop material, such as natural or sintered stone, acrylic or quartz, to get the curves and shapes you want.

7. Choose a worktop colour that stands out

This kitchen worktop design idea also wraps the worktop around your kitchen island. But this time, it’s about going bold with your colour and design choice.

To get this look, keep your cabinets and décor neutral, then pick a worktop that contrasts. Think about using bold colours and patterns to make it stand out and become the hero of your kitchen design.

8. Complement the worktop with an eye-catching splashback

Splashbacks are practical for protecting your walls from dirt and grease, and they look great too. Of course, you can always opt for a splashback that matches your worktop, but if you want to add the wow factor, why not go for one that contrasts instead?

Choose a design and colour with a random pattern that’s really striking. For example, this Dekton® splashback in Trillium looks like a piece of art.

9. Add a moulded sink and drainer grooves

10. Add a steel-bottomed sink

11. Add levels

Adding an extra piece of worktop to your kitchen at a different level from the main worktop is a simple worktop idea that has a significant impact. Use this design technique to separate out spaces, such as the preparation and dining spaces. You could also choose a different colour or material for the extra level that contrasts or complements the main worktop to make it stand out.

To get this look, you can use any worktop material you like.