Which is cheaper, quartz or granite?

They overlap more than people think. Entry-level granite often starts a bit below quartz, while premium or designer quartz climbs well past mid-range granite. Over time, quartz can cost a little less since it never needs resealing. The real answer comes down to the specific slab, not the category, so we price both for you side by side. Either way, fabricating locally keeps the cost down.

What is the newest trend in kitchen countertops?

Warm, natural, and bold. The newest looks lean into earthy colors, heavy, dramatic veining as a centerpiece, and textured, honed, or leathered finishes instead of high gloss. Waterfall edges, where the surface runs down the side of an island, stay popular, as do thicker mitered edges that read substantial. Mixing materials is also in: a hardworking perimeter paired with a statement island. The throughline is warmth and texture over the flat, cool look of the last decade.

What countertops look like quartz but are cheaper?

A few options come close. High-definition laminate now mimics quartz’s look convincingly at the lowest price. Solid surface gives a similar smooth, seamless, low-maintenance feel for less. Porcelain slabs can echo the same clean patterns. And if you want the real thing, quartz remnants from larger jobs often cut costs for a smaller kitchen. We’re glad to show you samples of each so the trade-offs are clear.

Is Holly Springs, GA, expensive?

Not especially. Holly Springs runs a little below the national average on overall cost of living, and homes here are generally more affordable than pricier metro spots like Alpharetta or North Fulton. That said, fast growth has pushed local home prices into roughly the mid-$400,000s to around $500,000, so it’s no longer the bargain it once was. For a kitchen update, fabricating locally helps keep one of the bigger line items in check.

What countertop colors are considered outdated?

A few are showing their age. The busy, speckled brown-and-gold granite that defined the early 2000s now reads dated, as do uniform tan and beige tones paired with honey-oak cabinets. Flat, cool grays, everywhere a decade ago, are fading fast, too. None of this means the material is bad; it’s the specific color and finish that dates a kitchen. Choose a current tone, and even classic granite looks fresh.

What color countertops are in for 2026?

Warm and natural leads. Creamy whites, soft greige, and earthy neutrals dominate, often paired with bold, heavily veined patterns for islands and feature walls. Earthy greens and warm woods are showing up on cabinets alongside them. Honed and leathered finishes are edging out high-gloss polish. For 2026, the watchword is warmth and texture rather than the flat, cool palette of recent years.