Best White Quartz Countertops
You guys! The kitchen remodel is really coming along, it’s amazing what a few small changes can make. After completing the demo of some upper cabinets and the tiled counters last week, the new countertops and kitchen sink have been installed! It’s been quite the process but I’m already loving them and can’t believe what an impact this has made. I searched for ages to find my favorite, neutral white quartz countertops and am excited to share that information with you here. Read below for some of my tips, sources, and common questions for choosing countertops.
Before I jump in, I want to add that after a few years, these countertops are still my favorite. They’ve stood the test of time and when I recently sold this home, I was really sad to part ways with this kitchen. However, I loved this countertop color and finish so much, I plan on using them in my next kitchen remodel. Check out what this space looked like before the remodel and you’ll probably understand why I loved them so much!
Countertop Materials
Before I started selecting the color of the countertop, I researched options for the countertop materials. And there are a lot. If you’ve started the search, you probably encountered this too. While it’s easy to get overwhelmed, I focused on three things: function, budget, and look. This made it easier to narrow down my selection. Curious about all the options out there? Here’s a brief list:
- Granite – Natural stone with unique patterns; durable and heat-resistant
- Marble – Elegant and timeless; softer and more prone to staining
- Quartz (e.g., Silestone) – Engineered stone; non-porous, low maintenance, and highly durable
- Butcher Block – Warm, natural wood look; requires regular sealing
- Concrete – Customizable and modern; can be prone to cracking if not properly maintained
- Stainless Steel – Sleek, industrial look; heat and stain-resistant but shows scratches easily
- Laminate – Budget-friendly; comes in many colors and patterns but less durable
- Soapstone – Smooth, matte finish with natural veining; resistant to heat and stains
- Solid Surface (e.g., Corian) – Seamless look; easily repaired but less heat-resistant
Ultimately, I went with Silestone, a brand of quartz countertop. I briefly considered butcher block but since I’m doing wood shelves, I wanted to include another element, and landed on quartz. To save money, I found a a smaller countertop shop for the order and install. However, it is possible to get countertop samples in advance from bigger box stores.
A big reason I went with this choice is that I had used Silestone Quartz in a previous kitchen remodel and was so happy with the finish and quality – it was hard to overlook that. I should add, this post is not at all sponsored – just my thoughts.
Countertop Colors
Once, I narrowed down the material, it was time to select a color. For a different kitchen remodel, I had selected a light gray quartz which was really lovely. However, for this project I wanted two things: neutral and contrast. Whether it’s paint or materials, choosing neutral colors in my home is always really important to me. Neutral colors prevent things from feeling too warm, too cold, or taking on shades of pink or green in certain light. So the white countertop I selected is a true white, no funny undertones.
Next, I wanted a quartz countertop that would contrast with the cabinets. The cabinets were the specific element I was building everything from. And for this kitchen project, I knew I wanted black cabinets. Oooh, I wanted those so bad. I chose Iron Ore from Sherwin Williams, a deep dark charcoal, which meant I wanted a lighter white countertop for ultimate contrast.
After some research and a few trips, erm, a few dozens trips to various design stores, I landed on Silestone Consentino in Statuario. It’s a neutral white with very slight gray veining. I see some reviews calling it a cream color – this can’t be further from the truth so either there is a mistake with the order or perhaps there are other factors like too warm lighting or rosy paint nearby. Anyhow, I think this color is one of the best neutral white quartz countertops options out there.
It looks like it’s become harder to find over the years (countertop companies seem to retire and rename colors to keep things fresh – or maybe just confusing. Anyhow, here are a few other white quartz countertop options I’d consider, click for samples:
- Ethereal Glow – might be one of the closest to El Statuario
- Bianco Calcutta – neutral white, no creaminess but big veining might be too distracting
- Silestone Lyra – technically a white, may be very slightly warm
If it’s hard to see the undertones when choosing countertops, sometimes the names will help. Most likely anything with “Gold,” “Cream,” or “Off White” will be a warm color with pink or yellow undertones. Names like “Ice,” “Indigo,” or “Snow” will have cooler, bluish shades.
Different Countertop Finishes
One last variable to consider is the countertop finish. This refers to the final surface texture and sheen applied to the countertop material. It affects how the surface looks, feels, and performs in your space. Think of it like the difference between glossy vs. matte or patent leather vs. suede—it’s the same material underneath, but the finish completely changes the look.
Quartz tends to come in two main finishes:
- Polished: Glossy, reflective, and smooth
- Suede: Also called Matte or Honed – Soft, velvety, and low-sheen
Personally, I prefer suede finish countertops. In general, I’m not a fan of high shine and tend to go for matte finishes on other elements like my backsplash tile, hardware, and appliances. I like the subtle finish and to me it feels more luxurious and modern. That said, on smaller projects like a bathroom update, I went with a more readily available polished quartz and it was fine.
I’ve worked with Silestone quartz in the past, using Desert Silver in my last kitchen and really love the quality and availability. Even though it’s spendier than some other brands, I’ve found Silestone quartz to be really accessible – some of the lines and colors are even available at Home Depot, Lowe’s and even Costco! I ordered mine directly from a countertop supplier but know it’s available at many local building supply stores.
Quartz Countertops FAQs
When choosing remodel elements, I like to keep things timeless instead of following trends. So if you’re wondering what color of countertop never goes out of style, it’s no surprise but a neutral white or gray countertop remains a tried and true classic. With these it’s easy to change elements and stay fresh.
A common question you might be wondering is whether white countertops are even a good choice? And absolutely yes! I think white countertops are a great option for kitchen updates.
One major concern is whether they will stain. A non porous material like quartz is stain resistant and easy to clean and maintain so that helps ease that concern. Once, I did accidentally spill turmeric which sat on on my quartz countertops for a few hours before I noticed it. Initially, it left a slight stain but thankfully I was able to remove it with a scratch free cleaner. Whew.
Another reason I think white countertops is a good idea is that they add light to the kitchen especially smaller spaces like this one. A white countertop gives a lot of contrast to darker cabinets and also reflects light, brightening things up!
Wondering how Silestone is different than quartz? Great question – it gets a little confusing. Silestone is actually a line of quartz made by a Spanish company, Consentino. It’s an engineered stone made with mostly quartz and other materials that make it really strong. It’s considered to be one of the toughest types of quartz options out there!
Quartz countertops in general, are more durable than other stone options like marble which is softer and stains easily. And it’s much easier to care for than granite, which is a 100% natural stone and must be sealed periodically.
Final Thoughts on Quartz Countertops
I hope this deep dive into countertop materials, finishes, and color selection has been helpful as you plan your own remodel! Choosing countertops can feel overwhelming, but once I narrowed down what I truly wanted—something timeless, functional, and beautiful—it became so much easier.
After living with these white quartz countertops for a few years, I can honestly say they exceeded my expectations. They’ve held up incredibly well, looked stunning every day, and gave the kitchen a fresh, airy feeling that made the whole space shine. When I recently sold this home, saying goodbye to this kitchen was harder than I expected—but that’s how I knew I’d made the right choices. In fact, I loved the countertops so much, I’m planning to use the exact same color and finish in my next remodel. Ready to see the entire update? Check out my Small Kitchen Remodel for the finished space and list of sources!
