The Designery often discusses how finishing touches and fine details have a huge impact on the look and feel of your space. Today, we’re getting more specific, as we break down some popular or need-to-know countertop edge styles.
Countertops are usually a big investment. Few other features of a kitchen or bath have as much influence over both style and function. So let’s make the most of our surfaces with the personalized particulars of a captivating counter.
How to choose a countertop edge style
Before we bring you right to the edge, there are a few ways to help you narrow down which styles will work best for your design, materials, and lifestyle.
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Maintenance. Debris and residue can collect in the crevices of some more ornate options, like ogee, double ogee, or Dupont.
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Thickness and material. Harder materials like granite and quartz are more suited to elaborate or striking edges. The surface material itself also demands a certain thickness to make some edge styles, like a double bevel or bullnose, possible.
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Safety. High-traffic areas, especially those with children, might benefit from more rounded edges. They can help eliminate sharp corners and accommodate grabby little hands.
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Style. Some edge types, like ogee, look better in traditional design schemes. Others, like a straight edge, are more suited to lovers of all things contemporary.
Types of countertop edges
The following is by no means an exhaustive list. With the right designers and craftspeople at your service, nearly anything is possible. However, it is a great introduction to the shapes and profiles you’ll meet in a showroom near you.
Beveled edge
Add subtle, adjustable dimension with a classic beveled edge. This style is relatively versatile, finding a home in both classic and modern design schemes. Double beveled edges create angles both top and bottom, or you can just refine the top edge.
BONUS BENEFIT: Splashing water in the bathroom or spilling a drink in the kitchen? A beveled edge may guide liquids further away from cabinets.
Ogee edge
Curvaceous and luxurious, ogee edges are the go-to when you really want to show off the natural beauty of a stone countertop. In addition to aesthetics, this edge style is great for safety and comfort. No sharp corners, and it feels better to lean against during long hours of cooking or baking.
Straight edge
Straight edges can also be called pencil edges. They most closely resemble eased edges, but have, well, a bit more of an edge. Although they’re not as sharp as they look (some refinements are usually necessary), they do lend themselves to clean, modern lines.
Eased edge
Eased-edge style counters are essentially straight edges more thoroughly un-blunted. It’s practical in terms of safety and maintenance, compatible with most materials, and can sway in almost any design direction.
Bullnose edge
A full bullnose is a completely rounded edge. A half bullnose is where the top rounds down to a flat lower edge, like a semicircle. Either option is great for safety, enhancing classic and traditional style, and directing fluids away from cabinets. A very popular choice for granite.
Chiseled edge
When you don’t want it to look like you’ve styled an edge at all, chiseled is there to add rough, earthy goodness to your design. It gives you a textured edge that one would expect from a raw slab of stone. Common to rustic, industrial, and other styles that incorporate organic themes and features.
Waterfall edge
What if you love your countertop so much you want it to never end? Your only option is the waterfall edge, which has exploded in kitchen island design. Here, countertops reach the precipice and take a sharp drop, extending down the side of cabinetry to the floor.
What is the most popular edge for countertops?
The most popular countertop edge style is eased. The rounding is subtle, softening the overall look without pulling focus. It’s also the easiest edge to integrate into any larger design theme.
Professional design and installation always give you the edge
Whether your space is open and free-flowing or small with awkward angles, the small stuff, like countertop edges, make a difference. Edges can also showcase awesome materials, improve function, and add character to your design.
Factor in how quality installation impacts your countertops’ longevity, and the message is clear–collaborate with a pro. The Designery helps you check every box on your wish list, from budget to custom details. Contact us for a free design consultation to begin.
