Waterfall countertops have the unique ability to stop someone in their tracks and truly command attention. They’re a design trend that gets people talking—once you see a waterfall countertop in person for the first time, there’s a good chance you’ll get bitten by the waterfall countertop bug.
What exactly is a waterfall countertop, you ask? While a typical countertop is made up of a single horizontal surface that stops at the edge of a peninsula, a group of cabinets, or an island, a waterfall countertop slides all the way to the floor—like a waterfall made up of your choice of material.
They’re a great asset to modern and contemporary kitchens and bathrooms, and the uninterrupted flow of marble, granite, quartz, or whatever you may choose creates a show-stopping look that not many can resist.
Waterfall countertops add beauty and sleekness to a space, and they also have the potential to brighten up your kitchen or bathroom and make it seem bigger than it really is. If your room needs some opening up, you might consider utilizing a waterfall countertop.
Before getting started with the installation, though, there are some things that you should consider regarding this type of countertop, and we’ve compiled those things into this article. Keep reading to learn more about waterfall countertops, and with enough information under your belt, you’ll be ready to install one of your own.

The Amount of Space You Have
How much space you have at your disposal is the first thing you should consider before installing a waterfall countertop. In most cases, a good-sized island is about three by five feet, with the height and counter thickness varied to your liking.
To know if a waterfall countertop is right for your space, you have to make sure that you don’t sacrifice space for the style you have in mind. If there’s not enough room to walk, this type of countertop could be something you grow to regret if you have to compensate for it every time you try to maneuver around the room.
Waterfall Countertop Aesthetic
The next thing to consider is the general style of the room in question. Because while waterfall countertops are very popular, they look best in a few specific types of kitchens and bathrooms. For example, if your kitchen is rustic or traditional, a waterfall countertop might stick out like a sore thumb and look silly.
But if your kitchen is contemporary or transitional, a waterfall countertop could fit in perfectly and really tie the room together. This is because of its clean, sharp lines—they lend themselves more to modern designs.
The Cost of the Waterfall
If you choose to utilize natural stone for your waterfall countertop (which we highly suggest that you do), you’re inevitably going to pay for the extra stone that’s used in the project. This is a given—more material is used for the waterfall over a traditionally shaped countertop.
You’re also going to pay for a skilled fabricator and installer who creates the stone and handles all of the installation details. Waterfall countertops are definitely not DIY projects, as they take advanced skills to craft. This means you’ll be paying for these people’s expertise as well.
If you’ve got the funds in your budget already, then paying a little extra for a waterfall countertop is always worth it. You want good quality materials and a job well done, so we don’t recommend skimping in this department.
The Elegance of Waterfall Countertops
In the end, your remodel is all about what you want to look at day in, day out, and the decision to go with waterfall countertops depends on your overall happiness. If you really want waterfall countertops but your budget doesn’t quite agree—don’t compromise for something lesser. Instead, consider saving up for the countertop of your dreams. This way, the end result will be even more satisfying once it finally happens.
Once your budget is in the right place, make sure that your space is well equipped for a waterfall countertop and that your kitchen is the right style. Once all the pieces are in place, all there’s left to do is start on the project and make your dream happen.
If you feel ready to commit to this type of countertop, all you have to do is choose a material that you love, find a quality installer and fabricator, and enjoy the uniqueness that comes with waterfall countertops.
At Sanford Granite, we’re big fans of waterfall countertops and would love to share their one-of-a-kind beauty with you. If you want to learn more about this style, or if you’re interested in a consultation, give us a call at (321) 578-9329.
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