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Quartz Leads the 2026 Kitchen Countertop Forecast, but Granite and Marble Aren’t Gone

Quartz leads the NKBA’s forecast of kitchen countertop trends through 2028, but the survey reflects industry expectations, not market share or a prediction that granite and marble will disappear.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 3 min read

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Quartz is the countertop material leading the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s forecast for kitchen design through 2028. That is a prediction based on industry professionals’ expectations—not proof that quartz will be installed in every kitchen, or that granite and marble are disappearing.

What the kitchen trends report says about countertops

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA | KBIS) published its 2026 Kitchen Trends Report in September 2025, looking ahead over the next three years. In Real Simple’s account of the report, 78% of respondents identified quartz as the leading countertop material. The NKBA release confirms quartz leads but does not state that exact percentage in its accessible text.

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The NKBA release reports that 62% identified natural quartzite as a countertop material. Real Simple’s account puts granite at 43% and marble at 26% as anticipated major materials. These figures describe respondents’ expectations, not countertop sales or installed-market shares. Read the NKBA report overview and its findings and release.

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Material Reported finding Source and meaning
Quartz 78% Real Simple’s 2025 account of respondents identifying it as the leading countertop material; not a market share. The NKBA release confirms the lead but does not give this percentage in its accessible text.
Natural quartzite 62% NKBA’s 2025 release; a survey response, not a sales share.
Granite 43% Real Simple’s 2025 account of anticipated major countertop materials; not a market share.
Marble 26% Real Simple’s 2025 account of anticipated major countertop materials; not a market share.

Sources: Real Simple’s report-based coverage and NKBA | KBIS.

Does quartz mean granite and marble are over?

No. The report supports the narrower conclusion that quartz leads industry professionals’ forecast. It does not say granite or marble will vanish; both remain named options, and natural quartzite also ranks prominently. The headline phrase “say goodbye” is more dramatic than the evidence warrants.

The sample matters when interpreting the numbers. NKBA says the survey drew responses from 634 North American industry professionals, including designers, showroom professionals, dealers, remodelers, contractors and architects. Sixty-seven percent were NKBA members and 57% were designers. This is a professional outlook, not a census of homeowners or a count of completed installations.

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What else the forecast suggests about kitchen design

The countertop outlook sits within a wider prediction of kitchens designed to connect with the rest of the home and support more than cooking. NKBA’s release reports:

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  • 72% identified transitional or timeless design as popular; contemporary, modern or minimalist design followed at 60%, and organic or natural design at 58%.
  • 96% identified neutrals as the most popular colors, followed by greens at 86% and blues at 78%.
  • 51% identified white oak as the most popular wood type.
  • 85% anticipated dedicated beverage areas.
  • 76% expected kitchen footprints to increase over the next three years. This is a respondent expectation, not a measured increase.

These are forecast responses from the 2025 report, not guarantees that any particular feature will become standard.

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Countertop looks respondents expect to see

Real Simple’s account of the survey points to lighter-colored counters, often paired with darker cabinetry, and matte or honed finishes. It also mentions traditional and waterfall edges. These are reported design preferences, not a technical ranking of materials or finishes.

Island design is less settled: 56% favored a different color for the island countertop, while 44% favored matching it to the main counter, according to Real Simple’s account. That near split leaves room for either a contrasting island or a continuous look. Compare actual samples with cabinet finishes and the room’s lighting before settling on a color.

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  • Giani Countertop Paint is a simple, three-step application that will transform Formica, laminate, Corian, ceramic tile, butcher block, cultured marble, and traditional granite in a single weekend.
  • Each small project kit contains all necessary tools and covers 12 square feet of surface, which is ideal for small countertops and bathroom vanities.
  • The updated Giani Marble Kit comes with a durable, high-gloss Epoxy Resin Topcoat that finishes and protects the application against the everyday use of your countertops.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

How to use the forecast when planning a project

  1. Choose for the project, not the headline. Treat the report as a signal of professional expectations, not a recommendation for a particular home, budget or slab.
  2. Compare material and appearance. Quartz, natural quartzite, granite and marble are all represented in the forecast. The survey ranks anticipated popularity; it does not establish which material performs best.
  3. Review finishes and colors in the room. If considering the lighter tones or matte and honed finishes mentioned in the report, compare samples against cabinetry and under the kitchen’s actual lighting.
  4. Decide whether the island should match. The reported preferences are close enough that the choice is a design decision, not a settled trend.
  5. Ask project-specific questions before specifying a surface. The report does not compare cost, scratch or heat resistance, staining, sealing, or maintenance. Get material-specific guidance for the slab and fabrication you are considering.

NKBA describes the broader shift as greater integration between kitchens and the whole home. Its Global President & CEO, Bill Darcy, said, “The integration between the kitchen and whole home is a really exciting opportunity for the kitchen and bath industry.” The quote captures the report’s wider design context; it is not a promise that every kitchen will be enlarged or remodeled.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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