What To Know Before Designing A Kitchen Around Waterfall Countertops

When it comes to luxury countertop styles, waterfall countertops reign supreme. The cascading edge has a high-end look that draws attention and instantly upgrades any kitchen. They are made to be a statement piece. But there are a few things to know about waterfall countertops before designing your kitchen around them. In an exclusive House Digest Interview, we spoke with interior designer Julie Jones, founder of Julie Jones Designs, to get her expert advice on all things waterfall countertops. She shared that while these counters are visually appealing, sanitary, and protective, they are also expensive and not the most mobility-friendly choice.

"If my clients wish for their kitchen island to have more prominence in the space and be a focal point, a waterfall counter is a great way to achieve that," Jones said. Regardless of whether waterfall countertops are a fad or a timeless design, you can't deny they are gorgeous. The designer encourages those who love the look and can afford it to get it, and we second that. But if you're going to invest in waterfall countertops, you should know exactly what you're getting into and take Jones' professional advice on how to style them right.

The stunning visual draw is the main benefit of waterfall countertops. "They give a very sleek, clean, and modern look with minimal effort," Julie Jones exclusively told House Digest. "Your eye is able to follow the countertop to the floor, often making the island appear larger and more prominent in the space." That creates a stunning focal point that grounds the room. It can also give the feature weight which helps to define open concept areas, she explained. These counters also have functional benefits as they guard cabinet siding. "Hard surfaces vs soft (like wood) protect the ends of your cabinets and island from damage," Jones said. Further, the stone can be easier to clean than exposed cabinet siding, making the kitchen overall more sanitary.

However, the high-end look of waterfall countertops also have a high price. That's because the design requires more materials and fabrication. "The difference is commonly the cost of an entire extra slab of stone, quartz, or porcelain," Jones explained. All the benefits can make this a valuable investment, but if you're balling on a budget, there are other gorgeous countertop ideas for an affordable kitchen upgrade. Another downside is mobility. "If you are adding a waterfall to the ends of an island with seating, you are limiting how many stools can fit and the mobility of the person(s) nearest the end, " she added. If seating as many people with maximum comfort is your priority, maybe skip the waterfall edge on the island, but enjoy it on the other kitchen countertops.

If you've decided waterfall countertops are the perfect style for your kitchen, then you want to ensure that investment pays off and you design the room accordingly. "If I had one extra tip, it would be to let the counter do the talking," Julie Jones shared in a House Digest exclusive. "Keep everything else minimal so the slab you choose can be the star." It's best to stick to solid designs and neutral colors for the other elements like cabinetry, hardware, light fixtures, and the backsplash. You can pick complementary and contrasting shades from the counter's color pallet to design the other features, so everything connects to the cascading stone.

But remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules of design. "At the end of the day, do what you love and have the means for," Jones reminded us. "Your home should reflect you and what you love." There are a lot of luxe kitchens designs with gorgeous waterfall countertops that can look flawless in your space, but don't be afraid to put your own unique spin on things, like matching the cascading counter with a slab backsplash or forgoing the stone for waterfall butcher block.