Design Ideas to Avoid for Bathroom Countertops

Gorgeous bathroom countertop ideas in a variety of finishes and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Are you tired of looking at the same old bathroom countertop every day? Do you dream of a stylish and functional space to start your mornings and wind down at night? In this article, we will explore some beautiful bathroom vanity countertops that will revamp your powder room into a luxurious oasis.

Get ready to be inspired with these amazing bathroom countertop ideas as well as pros and cons for the varying vanity tops. Discover the perfect countertop to enhance your bathroom experience.

How to Choose Your Bathroom Vanity Countertop

Are you completing a bathroom remodel or designing a brand new space? You want a design style that will meet all of your needs. When it comes to choosing the right finishes for your vanity, it's important to consider several factors and what you want to avoid for a finish.

• Durability
• Affordability - what's your budget?
• Aesthetically pleasing - make sure your chosen style fits with the space
• Maintenance - how easy is it to clean?
• Logical requirements for your space and layout
• Is it waterproof?

Ideas for Bathroom Countertops

Marble Countertops

A beautiful marble countertop is stunning for its elegant features and high-end look. I purposefully put these stone countertops in our master bathroom to create a more luxurious atmosphere. A lot of marble comes in intricate patterns with beautiful vein designs. It is the perfect option for our neutral colored master bath.

Pros

• Beautiful designs of natural stone
• Heat resistant to curling irons and hot tools
• You can find high quality marble that is more durable and stain-resistant
• Classic and timeless look

Cons

• Can stain easily and absorb oils due to porous texture
• Can be extremely costly - however there are some great budget-friendly options
• Need to reseal regularly

We also used marble in our farmhouse bathroom remodel. We ordered this off-white marble top vanity to complete the space for this master bathroom renovation. This is an ideal choice for adding elegance to this rustic and neutral space.

Quartz Countertops

If you want a modern look for your bathroom, quartz is a great way to go. We opted for quartz in my daughter's boho bathroom and the white quartz countertops turned out beautiful in this small bathroom. You might think that white on white may be too much from a design perspective, but you can see from the picture below that the quartz looks great up against white tiles or white walls.

If you have limited space in your vanity area like these rooms do, take a look at these bathroom countertop storage ideas for my girls.

Pros

• Very durable
• Primarily stain resistant
• Resistant to scratches and etching

Cons

• Don't leave heat tools on it for very long because it can cause discoloring and quartz can burn - avoid if you tend to forget your hot tools on the counter
• Not a ton of designs
• Don't use harsh cleaners because they can leave a dull finish

Concrete Bathroom Countertops

If you love modern and contemporary, concrete countertops may be just the right style for you. Concrete can appear to be really industrial, but you can also get it in a more polished style too. These are study countertops that can last a very long time, but only with the proper maintenance and sealing often.

Pros

• Very durable
• Does great in moisture
• Heat resistance
• Can last a lifetime if sealed and cared for properly
• Pretty resistant to scratching and chipping

Cons

• Super heavy, so keep floating cabinetry in mind
• Can look too industrial for some - avoid if you don't love this modern design
• Can stain if it hasn't been sealed - avoid if it is too hard to reseal it every couple years

Cultured Marble Counters

Cultured marble is a blend of stone particles and resins that is combined with pigments to produce a wide range of colors and natural looking patterns. It has a very similar look to quartz.

Pros

• Known for its tough exterior for everyday normal use - less susceptible to damage over regular marble stone
• Does not require any sealing
• Significantly less expensive countertop than granite or marble

Cons

• Stains
• Not heat resistant
• Vulnerable to scratches and abrasive cleaning products

I chose a vanity with cultured marble when redoing this hall bathroom as part of our farmhouse remodel.

Laminate Countertops

These type of countertop material is one of the most economical choices for this particular room. Laminate counters are a nice option if you don't have a big budget but still need an upgrade.

Pros

• Top surface of counter is waterproof
• Cheap bathroom countertop option
• Simple to maintain and clean

Cons

• Material underneath the top layer is not waterproof
• Susceptible to chipping and damage
• Not heat resistant
• Doesn't last as long - avoid laminate if you don't want to replace in the next 10-15 years

Tile Bathroom Vanity Top

There is a reason why porcelain tile ranks as one of the most popular choices for powder rooms in 70s, 80s and 90s. It's one of the best bathroom countertops that is durable and cheap.

Pros

• Resistant to heat and moisture for the most part
• Budget-friendly
• Easy to DIY
• A wide variety of colors and design choices

Cons

• Grout is harder to keep clean, especially if there are thick grout lines - avoid if you dislike the look of grout on your counters
• May not look quite as elegant as single slabs of stone

Granite Bathroom Countertops

Granite is a popular pick for bathrooms for durability and beautiful finishes. But maintenance is a must for longevity.

Pros

• Longevity and durable
• Heat resistant and moisture resistant
• Doesn't stain
• Scratch resistant

Cons

• Porous - it must be sealed and polished well if you don't want to absorb liquids or bacteria - avoid if you don't want the maintenance of granite
• Slightly more expensive than quartz

I like granite, however I didn't love high gloss black granite that we used in our small bathroom remodel because a few rings developed on the glossy top coat. If you are going to do black, I recommend a leather finish. This is what I have in my kitchen and I love it.

Make sure to keep your counters clear with a few organization tools to show off those beautiful countertops.

Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly option or a luxurious upgrade, there is a perfect finish for your bathroom counter. From the classic appeal of marble to the durability of quartz, each material offers its own unique benefits and can elevate the overall look of your bathroom.

As you consider which finish is right for you and the pros and cons for each, remember to take into account your personal style, budget, and maintenance preferences. And of course, don't forget about your preferences for design ideas to avoid as you are planning for your ideal bathroom space.

Happy DIYing!

Brooke