Waterfall Countertop Trend

Want to keep up with the latest trends in bathroom and kitchen design?

Then you need to learn more about waterfall countertops, a design innovation that keeps creating a buzz among interior design enthusiasts.

Without much ado, let’s dive right in.

What’s a waterfall countertop?

A waterfall countertop is easy to spot. 

While the traditional countertop consists of a single surface placed horizontally and ends abruptly, the waterfall concept has the same material ‘fall’ vertically down the sides, framing the island, set of cabinets or peninsula. 

The waterfall countertop trend is all about giving the space an elegant and seamless look, by hiding appliances and creating a sense of flow between the floors and the countertop.

The right way to create a waterfall

1.Be bold with your choice of material

With kitchens turning into the central gathering space in the home and with bathrooms becoming a place for relaxation and me – time, designers are trying to turn everyday furniture into statement pieces that add an aesthetic oomph.

The design of the waterfall countertop itself is aesthetically pleasing, but for it to succeed in turning into a statement piece, you need to be bold when choosing a material.

When the trend emerged, natural stone was the primary choice for creating these kinds of countertops, as the visual appeal of stone added to the dramatic look of the furniture.

Lately, however, more and more designs incorporate engineered stones and wood. 

In any case, be bold with whatever material you choose, as this will likely be the focal point of your room.

2. Get playful

Another great thing that the waterfall countertop allows you to do is to get creative with your space. Forget about using the same material for the island and the perimeter kitchen countertop. Being a dramatic centerpiece, the waterfall allows you to break from the pattern. 

So, don’t hold back your creativity and feel free to use a different material and color for your waterfall island.

If that’s too much for you, ask your designer to select the same material for your island and perimeter countertop, but make sure the material does not look too similar to your kitchen cabinets. 

3. Choose the right edge thickness

And by ‘right’ we mean the one that you like.

There are countertops that are only 3 inches thick, and there are countertops as thick as the slab itself. 

And of course, some are a combination of thick and thinner material. 

When it comes to thickness, there is no rule about what is best for you, so take a look at your entire kitchen and its style and find something that fits best.

4. Find a good place for your outlets

Most likely, your island will need to have a couple of outlets. With traditional islands, there is no need to think about the outlets, as they are usually placed on the side.

However, when it comes to a waterfall design, some stone masons believe placing an outlet on the side, as you would on a traditional island, would only break the material's pattern.

So, if you decide to get a waterfall countertop, you need to think of an alternative place for your outlets.

One idea is to get a pop – up outlet, but although this option is convenient, it will still be visible on the top of the counter… and if you are trying to keep the countertop looking clean, this might not be your best choice.

Another idea is to integrate the outlet where a top drawer would be. This way, the outlet would still be visible, but it will not break the pattern of the stone ‘wrap.’

Finally, the best idea that we have is to cover the outlet with a false drawer.

In case none of these ideas work, and you still have to put the outlet on the countertop or the sides, make sure that you pick an outlet with a similar colour so that it is not too visible.

Final Words

Waterfall countertops have been in trend for a couple of years now, and it doesn’t seem like they will get out of trend any time soon.

If you have a contemporary kitchen or bathroom, a waterfall is a great way to add color and pattern to your space and to make it look more dramatic and modern.

Of course, with a little creativity, you might be able to incorporate a waterfall into a more traditional space as well, but if you decide to do that make sure that you pick the right material that won’t stand out style-wise.

Finally, as waterfalls are more expensive than the traditional countertops due to the added material on the sides as well as the stone’s installation costs, do not forget to raise your budget accordingly.

They might cost more, but they also look better; by paying something extra, your home will get a stunning focal point that will turn heads (the good way).

Author Bio: Nicole Andrews is the marketing manager for Euro Marble in Sydney, Australia. With a background in interior design, she enjoys writing about the latest industry trends. In her spare time, she walks her dog Rusco down at Bondi Beach.

Finding designing your kitchen is becoming all too much?

Ask a designer to help. Yaelk & Associates design from complete new builds down to small room renovations. If your having a hard time working out what you want in your kitchen contact us to discuss how we can create that perfect space for you. We are based in West Leederville, Western Australia and have many years of experience designing award winning homes.