Rustic Breakfast Countertop Ideas

Wood and Butcher Block

• Natural wood countertops offer both functionality and cohesive design in a rustic kitchen or dining space. If your breakfast counter is primarily a light-traffic eating area, consider a countertop that displays the face of the wood grain on each plank for the most decorative, distinctive look. If the counter also serves as a food preparation space or if you anticipate significant traffic, a butcher block counter, in which the ends of the boards are arranged facing upward to create a more grid-like appearance, is a more durable but still visually appealing option. Wood counters can be stained to match your existing cabinets for a unified look, or you can opt for a contrast in either wood species or stain color to distinguish the breakfast area from the rest of the kitchen.

Stone

• Stone countertops are one of the most durable options available for homeowners, and the right stone serves as a complement to a rustic kitchen design. Though high-gloss single-piece stone slabs in expensive granite and marble can add elegance to your breakfast area, natural stone tiles that retain a portion of the original texture are a more rustic and affordable option. Slate, which is typically reserved for flooring or roofing projects, provides natural variations in color and texture that complement the back-to-nature feeling of a rustic kitchen. Other options include travertine, soapstone and limestone. When you're choosing a stone tile, consider the variations in height that will be created by the texture of the stone. Too much variation will result in a surface too uneven to comfortably eat from.

Country Tile

• Ceramic and laminate tiles are cost-effective options that provide a wide range of styles for customizable rustic charm in a breakfast countertop. Classic white ceramic tiles are a staple in rustic country kitchens and provide a clean, bright space for your breakfast area. If you want to add more color or depth, opt for a high-relief accent tile depicting a rustic scene like sprigs of wheat or farm animals like roosters to create a visual theme. Laminate tiles are also an ideal option for creating a low-cost look-alike to stone tiles if natural stone is not within your budget.

Reclaimed Surfaces

• Reclaimed surfaces are reused and repurposed older materials that may otherwise be regarded as waste. Barn doors, railroad ties, old barrels and other wood surfaces that have been worn down over time offer distinctive character to a rustic breakfast counter. One of the benefits of working with reclaimed wood is that the edges can be left rough or natural to create a truly natural element in the space. Consider restaining the wood to match other wood elements in your kitchen. Reclaimed surfaces require sealing or refinishing to create a surface that is durable enough to last in your kitchen, though manufacturers who specialize in reclaimed wood counters often complete all of the finishing work prior to the purchase.