Picking a countertop material for your kitchen is a major decision. Once you have settled on granite, quartz, quartzite or marble there is another big decision that you must make and that is how the countertop material is finished.
Options for countertop finishes include polished (shiny), honed (matte or low sheen finish) or leather.
The finish option you choose for your kitchen counter plays a big part in the ambiance or style of your kitchen. Countertop finish also has an impact on the amount of maintenance it takes to keep your countertops looking good.
Polished Finish Countertops
No matter what countertop material you choose, the material will be ground down with finer and finer abrasives until the fabricator achieves the desired sheen — shiny (polished) or matte / low sheen (honed) or leathered.
Polished countertops give kitchens an upscale, luxurious, formal look. Polished finishes are most often used in traditional style kitchens, but can also be used in contemporary kitchens. The polishing process often highlights the veining and color of the countertop material more prominently than a honed (or matte) finish on a countertop.1
Polished countertops command attention, often serving as focal points in a kitchen. They reflect light, giving the kitchen a bright, airy appearance. However, scratches, etching and stains do show up more prominently on polished countertops than on honed countertops. A polished finish generally requires less frequent sealing as opposed to a honed finish.
Honed Finish Countertops
Honed is the industry term for countertops that aren’t glossy — are non-reflective — but still are smooth. They have a low sheen. Honed countertops have a more natural and earthy look and their appearance adds to a more casual, understated and relaxed vibe in a kitchen. Honed countertops are often used in kitchens with modern or contemporary styling.
While in past years the majority of kitchen countertops have had polished finishes, that trend is slowly shifting. Designers are even predicting that “matte (honed) finishes will take over from high gloss.”2
In addition to the aesthetics of honed countertops they also have advantages from a functional standpoint. Cuts and scratches aren’t as visible on honed countertops and they are more resistant to cracking.3 Honed surfaces also diffuse light rather than reflecting light as polished surfaces would do.
That means that a honed surface wouldn’t reflect hot spots on the countertop surface caused by pendant or canned lights or even skylights above the countertop. Honed surfaces also have the added advantage of disguising water spots better than polished surfaces. One disadvantage is that honed surfaces are more porous than polished surfaces and require more frequent sealing than polished surfaces.
It is recommended that honed marble countertops be sealed anywhere from every three to every twelve months depending on factors such as how often meals are prepared in the kitchen and other factors.4
Leathered Finish Countertops
A leathered finish is also an option for kitchen countertops. Quartz, quartzite, granite and even marble can all be fabricated with a leathered finish. A leathered finish is similar to the matte appearance of a honed finish but it is not smooth. It has “textural characteristics including dips, divots and fissures.”5
A leather finish, while textured, is actually more resistant to staining than a honed finish because it is polished. Leather finishes also hide scratches, etching, fingerprints and smudges. Because it is textured however, crumbs and dust tend to accumulate in the divots on leathered finish countertops.
Leathered finishes require less sealing than honed or polished finishes.6 Leathered finishes are generally higher in cost than either polished or honed finishes.
The finish choice on a countertop is a cornerstone is achieving a certain look. The choice of countertop finish is also a maintenance issue. High traffic and heavy use can be factors in whether your countertops are easy to care for or require concerted care.
For these reasons it is important to thoroughly discuss your needs with your countertop installation contractor who can help you determine the right finish for your particular situation.
Wisconsin’s Trusted Countertop Pros — Installation, Remodels & More
Visit our Oak Creek showroom for Milwaukee’s best selection of granite, quartz, and marble. At Wisconsin Granite Design, we design, fabricate, and install custom countertops—delivering precise fits, fast timelines, and lasting quality. With decades of experience, our team makes remodels simple from first design to final install. Book a free countertop consultation today.
_____________________
1 Honed vs. Polished Countertops in Kitchens and Bathrooms, 11/20/2024
Link: https://graniteandmarblesolutions.com/blog/honed-vs-polished-countertops-in-kitchens-and-bathrooms/
2 Countertop Trends That Will Be Huge in 2025 by Emily Kammerlohr, 12/24/2024
Link: https://www.housedigest.com/1737967/popular-countertop-design-trends-2025/
3, 4 The Pros and Cons of Honed vs. Polished Marble Countertops (And Which is Right for You) by Candina Jordan, 5/6/2025
Link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/the-pros-cons-of-honed-vs-polished-marble-countertops-and-which-is-right-for-you/ar-AA1Ehxwi?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=68b5cda8abc54bc5ae4dda2e08082912&ei=38
5, 6 Guide to Leathered Granite Countertops: Cost, Cleaning and More by Patricia Shannon, 1/19/2025
Link: https://www.bhg.com/what-is-leathered-granite-7485769