7 Out-Of-The-Ordinary Countertop Edge Profiles You May Not Have Heard Of

While there's something to be said about going classic with your kitchen and bathroom designs and choosing the most common countertop edge styles, maximalist design choices are having a moment. So, if you're looking to create a standout space in your home, it may be time to embrace some of the quirkier or unordinary design choices out there. And, while something as seemingly innocuous as countertop edge profiles may not feel like it'll make a huge impact on the overall aesthetic of your space, it can in fact add a chic and understated design touch that your guests will notice.

You may be unfamiliar with some of these countertop edge designs, but you should consider some of these out-of-the-ordinary profiles as a way to make your rooms feel unique. From variations on basic classics like the ogee to incredibly unique and unusual profiles like living edges on a butcher block-esque countertop, these choices are playfully approachable, distinct designs that'll really make your countertops look unlike anything else. Suitable for a variety of countertop types you should consider for your kitchen remodel or bathroom update, these profiles all have an edge (pun intended).

You may have heard of the popular, more conventional ogee edge style, which is a rounded, S-curved edge that gives kitchens a sense of ornate traditionalism. While ogee-style edges are complicated to make and require a durable, high-quality stone (and therefore warrant a higher price), the flat ogee is like the traditional version's more casual, unique younger sibling. It still retains some of the best qualities of the normal ogee, but it adds a sleeker, more modern feel that the ogee doesn't have in its more conventional elegance.

Stepped edge countertops describe the profile's resemblance to a series of opulent steps that lead to the flat countertop surface. The steps are often rounded yet angular, stacked cuts that are best suited with quartz. When done well, the stepped edge profile looks extremely luxe, but bear in mind that these edges work best on larger spaces to accommodate the ornate stepped contours. Furthermore, the added curves may make your counters a bit more difficult to clean. If you end up going with quartz for your stepped edge countertop, there are some other considerations for quartz to keep in mind as well.

The Hollywood bevel edge has an exaggerated, sloping profile with a long, tapered slant that gives you the drama of a stepped edge but without the added maintenance headache. It's extremely stylish and adds a design flair that sets it apart from other sloping edge choices, but without dating the space too much or locking you into a certain design choice for other parts of the room. According to experts, the Hollywood bevel edge makes a particularly big impact on kitchen islands, stylishly finishing the area with an attractive detail.

While we traditionally think of countertops in stone materials, and the chiseled edge is a popular countertop edge profile for such a composition, a wooden countertop with a living edge is extremely unique and unusual in kitchens. Think of a wooden countertop with a living edge as a unique take on the traditional butcher's block. They are made from natural wooden slabs in most cases, lending an upscale cabin or mountainous air to your design. Since wooden slabs are each unique, you're ensuring you have a completely one-of-a-kind piece with this countertop edge profile.

The elite edge countertop profile is another stepped edge variation that features visually interesting concave curves stacked on a half round curve. It's three-stepped and crafts a truly ornate and opulent kitchen island or bathroom vanity. The Roman elite edge variation is also another stepped option, but for this one the bends are in reverse of the traditional elite profile. Whichever direction you take, bear in mind that these profiles, much like the other stepped profiles on this list, may be more difficult to clean, so using them in spots with lower use or traffic may be best.

This profile edge is so out-of-the-ordinary that the only way you can really achieve this profile is with bespoke construction. However, if you're willing to trust a stone mason with this artisanal work, the payoff is an extremely unique and counter top design that will be unlike anything you see in other homes. The look harkens back to the opulent marble or granite finishes seen on many American decorative arts tables and dressers — something about its highly crafted nature makes it feel very luxurious not unlike pieces from the Gilded Age.

One of the most unusual and unique ways to achieve a countertop edge profile is by adding a decorative countertop insert, rather than finishing the edges with any cuts or miters. This method works particularly well with concrete countertops, especially if you want a design element beyond just a regular, clean-cut edge. Inserts come in a variety of profiles, from the dental groove molding as shown in the photo to fluted edges, or even inserts that resemble more traditional chiseled or beveled edges as well.