If you find yourself sitting on the fence about waterfall countertops, lean on homeowner Louisa’s opinion. She recommends, “If you lean toward simplicity and clean lines, I think you’ll really like it.” Waterfall islands are undeniably sleek because they offer continuity with just the right amount of contrast.
The Hidden Truth About Waterfall Countertops: Luxury or Practical Nightmare?
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Published: February 23, 2024
Updated: January 2, 2024
Waterfall countertops and islands are custom and idealistic luxury in any kitchen, but what if practicality trumps aesthetic? Anything that requires a high-end stone is sure to exude opulence, but at the end of the day, kitchens are intimate and sometimes chaotic spaces in our homes that require certain features to ensure day-to-day success. To see if this high-end look is worth the extra cost, we relied on the irreplaceable advice of our readers and vetted interior designers to help us wrap our heads around the pros and cons of this trend.
While I can espouse on the beauty of sparkly marble, quartz, and granite finishes, I am looking for an island and countertop design that can hide my somewhat worn pots and pans as well as my inherited dishware, and you may feel the same! We hope these inspirational photographs and invaluable advice can lead you in the right direction as you debate whether or not this trend is for you and your style.
02 of Too Commercial Looking
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There are certainly interior themes that are more appropriate for commercial buildings than a comfortable home. One of our readers, Judy, doesn’t deny the beauty of waterfall countertops but outright declares that they don’t belong in a residential setting. She further explains that she has done some designing of her own, “I have done them in office spaces… to plug in your computer to work while in an office building.” If you’re like me, you’ll want to avoid corporate feelings in your family sanctuary.
03 of Professional Tip: Quartz Over Marble
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We reached out to experienced interior designers for their feedback on this trend and Neha Kamal confidently shares the following: “Opting for a material that balances beauty and functionality with maintenance is key. Given the common wear and tear in kitchen spaces, materials like quartz prove to be an excellent choice. Not only do they contribute to the desired aesthetic, but they also ensure durability, making it a valuable and long-lasting investment for homeowners.”
04 of Hand-picked Marble Slab for a Custom Design
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Contributor Kendra happily reports that she adores the marble slab that adorns her kitchen. She shares that it “adds so much texture and interest to my kitchen. I look for marble with a unique design for the end piece.” Marble is versatile, and hand-picking your island pieces will ensure you get the look you want. You can take this design one step further and follow the inspiration provided in this photograph by including the same stone as the backsplash behind your oven and vent.
05 of Waste of Storage Space
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Islands are both aesthetically pleasing and functional. They offer extra counter room, bar seating, and additional cabinet space. In many cases, however, you may sacrifice usable cabinet space on either side of the island base with a waterfall countertop. This may not be a deal breaker if your kitchen is otherwise filled with storage opportunities. If not, an island with end caps may be more appropriate.
06 of Professional Tip: Design Technicalities
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Appropriately finding your style should involve the opinion of many voices and influences. For that reason, interior designer Annuska Menoita offers irreplaceable advice during the design and installation process: “It’s crucial to ensure the thickness of the slab, opting for either a thick stone or a rebated tile edge. Additionally, book-matched stones or tiles with a mitered edge are essential for a seamless transition. Paying attention to layout, seating, and cabinetry placement is key to achieving an effective and harmonious design.”
07 of Too Busy
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A classic wood finish can never lead you astray, yet a waterfall island guarantees a busier appearance on the sides of your island. Contributor Beth approves of this trend “depending on the pattern, but mostly they are visually too busy for me.” If you’re looking for something soft and traditional, a well-made wood island or a primarily white slab without many iron lines may be more fitting in your kitchen.
08 of Durability Is Questionable
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Make sure you use a vetted contractor with all new builds and renovations. Homeowner Larisa installed a waterfall countertop in her home and reports that she “Love[s] the look, but after a year, ours began to separate.” This is every homeowner’s nightmare, so ensuring that your contractors follow the correct process for the stone you’ve selected and have experience with this specific feature will ensure success.
09 of Cold and Uninviting
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Longevity in architecture and style is the goal when moving into a new home. Inevitably, styles change every five to ten years, so if you plan to stay put for a while, you can accept that a renovation may be unavoidable at some point. Regarding waterfall islands, reader Alexis believes that they are “cold, uninviting, and too modern. I feel like they’ll date your home, if not already, then definitely in a few years.” Searching for timeless design features may be a better goal if you aren’t keen on doing an overhaul when pieces like this begin to look dated.
10 of Professional Tip: Unpredictable Veining
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Finally, interior designer Ellen Matthews provides viable feedback summarizing what we at Soul and Lane have found to be true about this notable feature. “While waterfall countertops offer a visually striking and modern touch to kitchens, careful planning and material selection are crucial to ensure a seamless and luxurious design. Granite and other natural stones with unpredictable veining can disrupt the visual flow, so opting for materials with continuous veining across the joint is vital for achieving a cohesive and elegant aesthetic.” This modern island does just that beautifully as the dark iron lines extend across the sides and top of the stone. Ultimately, if you love waterfall countertops, make it a priority to find the material, color, and design that works best for you. The extra time you take will ensure an enduring style and design you’ll love for years.
