Spending time in the kitchen can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Whether you are preparing meals with your family, hosting a dinner party, or just catching up on some reading while enjoying a cup of tea, the kitchen is a great place to enjoy!

With the right setup and the right design, you can turn your kitchen into an oasis of relaxation and comfort. From cooking appliances to decorating ideas, there are so many ways to make your kitchen a space that you look forward to spending time in.

Let's explore some kitchen trends for 2023, perfect if you are considering a renovation or remodel of your current kitchen.

Above: kitchen backsplash and worktop in Verde Borgona by Marazzi, 12mm, satin finish

1/ Porcelain slabs as worktops

Porcelain is fast becoming the go to material as worktop and backsplash. Porcelain is able to instantly add a touch of sophistication and style in a kitchen. Its non-porous surface makes it incredibly hygienic and easy to clean, making it the perfect choice for busy households and commercial kitchens alike. Its durability and lack of porosity is one of the main reasons porcelain tiles do so well in bathroom design too.

A sustainable and eco friendly alternative to marble

Large porcelain slabs are a sustainable solution that reduces reliance on marble quarries. With an increase in consumer interest for marble products and use of marble worktops, getting a similar look through porcelain slabs is an ecological alternative for those who want to contribute to protecting the environment.

Porcelain countertop performance

Porcelain is baked at very high temperature which gives it superior technical performance over other materials and is considered stronger than granite. Not only it is a waterproof material, it is also highly resistant to stains, cracking, etching and chipping.

It can handle temperature fluctuations (thermal shock). In addition, porcelain countertops are not affected by the acidic or corrosive products used for normal housekeeping. Finally, porcelain is naturally resistant to sunlight, so the pattern won’t fade or diminish over time due to excess sun exposure.

Porcelain countertop designs

Here's where things get really interesting. Porcelain large format tiles and slabs can reproduce the textures of natural materials such as stone, concrete, wood, metal and marble.

The realism is unrivalled while also adding the special characteristics of porcelain as material. This way, you can have the marble look without fear of stains and the need for ongoing maintenance.

From Verde Aver from Val d’Aosta to Calacatta Vena Vecchia from Tuscany, from Grigio Carnico to the exotic Sahara Noir, porcelain slabs for your countertop can help you achieve the desired look.

Porcelain worktop maintenance

Porcelain worktops are great for preparing food on, even eliminating the need for cutting boards and trivets. Large porcelain slabs also have the advantage of minimizing joints, thus making the surface easier to clean and durable over time.

I regularly prepare my pizza dough directly on my porcelain worktop. You do not need anything other that warm soapy water, a soft sponge and a microfibre cloth to keep your worktop looking great.

Above: Golden White by Marazzi, porcelain worktop slabs

Above: GRANDE MARBLE LOOK CALACATTA EXTRA BOOKMATCH A SATIN 12MM, MARAZZI

Above: GRANDE MARBLE LOOK CAPRAIA BOOKMATCH A LUX 12MM, MARAZZI

Above: GRANDE MARBLE LOOK ELEGANT BLACK LUX 12MM, MARAZZI

Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.