Choosing Bathroom Countertops

June 13,2024

HGTVRemodels’ Bathroom Planning Guide offers tips for choosing the right bathroom countertops for your bathroom renovation.
Catching up with granite in popularly, engineered stone countertops emulate the style and texture of natural stone without the maintenance. Typically composed of more than 90 percent quartz particles, the nonporous surface won’t scratch, stain or crack, and it resists mold and mildew. Image courtesy of HanStone Quartz.
When it comes to sheer beauty, few countertop materials rival marble. Though types vary, most marble can be easily scratched or stained. Save it for baths where it’s likely to receive gentle treatment and proper maintenance. Image courtesy of ADKO.
A great choice for budget bathroom remodels, low-cost laminate countertops are easy to clean and come in a wide range of colors and patterns. Improvements in the manufacturing process have resulted in laminate that mimics marble, granite, slate and other natural stones. Laminate countertops resist water and stains, but they can be damaged by hot objects like curling irons. Image courtesy of Formica Corporation.
Available in a multitude of colors, patterns and textures, tile countertops are a classic choice for bathrooms. Tile is resistant to heat, impervious to water and easy to clean, but grout lines can stain and collect grime. Image courtesy of Mannington Mills, Inc..
Solid surface countertops, crafted from acrylic resins and natural materials, offer a compromise between high-end stone and affordable laminate. The surface resists stains, mold, mildew and bacteria, and it won’t chip or wear because the color runs all the way through. Image courtesy of The Swan Corporation.
A centuries-old surface option, soapstone brings classic beauty to the bath. The light gray surface gains a rich, dark patina from age and applications of mineral oil. Durable soapstone is nonporous and impervious to chemicals. Image courtesy of Soapstone International Inc..
Limestone countertops offer a slightly more rustic appearance than granite and marble, and they are often embedded with tiny shells and fossils. The porous surface requires sealing to prevent stains and scratches. Photo courtesy of Walker Zanger.
A member of the marble family, travertine is an elegant stone that comes in various colors. The soft stone is prone to staining and etching, but sealer can increase its durability. Image courtesy of ADKO.
An inexpensive alternative to solid surface and stone, laminate countertops are available in many styles and colors and can even mimic the look of natural stone countertops. Image courtesy of Formica Corporation.

Simple ceramic or glass tile is less expensive than natural stone and provides a water-resistant, easy-to-clean countertop surface. This vessel sink sits on a countertop of mosaic glass tiles.

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For somewhat larger budgets, quartz countertops combine the beauty of natural stone with the durability of a manufactured surface. Photo courtesy of HanStone Quartz.
A compromise between laminate and natural stone, acrylic-based solid-surface countertops are stain-resistant, easy-to-clean and available in dozens of colors. Image courtesy of Formica Corporation.
Though more expensive than laminate or tile, granite countertops add value to a home and offer an elegant, stain-resistant surface. Design by Beth Haley.
An elegant option for high-end baths, marble countertops offers dramatic veining and lovely colorations. Most marble scratches and stains easily, so this stone is best saved for gently used bathrooms. Design by Andreea Avram Rusu