The Countertop Edge Option That Is The Best Choice For A Rustic Kitchen

Kitchen countertop options in the design world are vast and diverse, yet one often overlooked aspect of installing new ones may surprise you. While debating the qualities of granite vs. marble or butcher block vs. concrete, you may also want to consider various edge finishes, which can be just as important as the materials. Smooth bullnose and beveled edges are classic looks that work particularly well if you worry about sharp edges that may be a danger to kids or pets, while mitered and square edges are perfect for getting a clean, modern look. In the opposite direction, more natural materials and edges are great for a rustic-style kitchen. According to Angi, custom edges are a popular option on stone or wood countertops that allows you to maximize the beauty of natural materials in your kitchen, making them a perfect choice for rustic kitchens. 

Often spotted on counters made from natural materials like stone and wood, this edging is a better alternative for rustic looks than smoother, mitered edges offered on modern materials like concrete, laminate, or stainless steel, which can skew a room toward industrial or modern. Custom edging can feel expensive and sculptural while still speaking heavily to the beauty of its material. Textured stone with crags and veining or wood with an uneven and unfinished edge makes the counter look like it was plucked from nature. While sometimes machine-made, custom edges often add a handcrafted feel due to their chiseled looks, making them perfect for antique and vintage takes on rustic style. 

Custom edging on counters is referred to with various terminology depending on the material, including moraine edge, chiseled edge, broken edge, or rock face. For stone counters, this means that the edge is textured instead of smooth, which can reveal even more of the stone's inherent beauty. Uneven and chiseled surfaces often expose a greater variety of graining and luminescence than those that have been cut and ground down. For wood counters, the rough edge resembles a slab of wood freshly cut from the tree, and often the edges are textured with wood veining or bark from the source tree. 

These edges feel more steeped in nature than counters that have undergone more finishing and sanding, making them perfect for rustic designs and spaces that revel in natural details and textures. Ruddy granite or richly veined marble with more rugged edges can be great for rustic kitchens. An uneven edge keeps the marble from looking too stuffy or formal. Compared to straighter-edged counters, custom ones feel far more earthy and organic than those that display right angles.

Wood, which is experiencing a revival in popularity for kitchen counters, is timeless and chic. While provincial and country-inspired kitchens look stunning with walnut or butcher block counters, adding a ragged custom edge makes it look like the counters were carefully handcrafted by artisans in a previous century. 

Like other countertop edge finishes, custom edges have their pros and cons. Because they are rough and uneven, they sometimes chip and crack more easily. In addition, parts of the edging and corners can be sharper, which may be a hazard in tight spaces or kitchens populated by children. While they are usually covered with a clear coat that makes maintenance easy, custom edges can also be more difficult to clean, with many recesses where dust and grime can more easily collect and be difficult to reach. They can also be slightly more expensive since they are usually a custom finish rather than a prefabricated or builder-grade one. 

While these downsides may deter you and have you looking at other common countertop edge cuts, the stunning and unique looks of these custom countertop edges often outweigh any negatives. The thicker the slab of stone or wood, the more striking and unusual these counter edges can appear, making them great for places like kitchen islands, which become sculptural pieces of art all on their own. Custom edges can make a statement even in small doses for a bit of drama and natural rustic charm. They can also be a great upgrade if you are looking to make a small change with a lot of impact on your rustic kitchen.