TL;DR
Get furniture and decor delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
A House Beautiful report describes designers steering some clients away from engineered quartz toward natural stone and porcelain. The shift is a design trend, not evidence that quartz is disappearing nationwide; California restrictions and industry sourcing figures need careful context.
Interior designers interviewed by House Beautiful say some clients are moving away from engineered quartz countertops and considering quartzite, soapstone, granite and porcelain instead. The report describes a shift in design preferences, alongside health concerns about crystalline silica in engineered-stone fabrication, but it does not establish that quartz is being phased out nationally.
The report cites the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s annual trend report, saying 78 percent of designers are sourcing quartzite while fewer are selecting quartz. It does not provide the survey’s full methodology, the comparison period, or the share of designers sourcing quartz, so the figure alone does not show how quickly preferences are changing.
Designers quoted in the report describe natural stone as appealing for its distinct veining and the way it can develop a patina over time. New York-area designer Barrett Oswald says engineered quartz can lack the depth and individuality she associates with natural stone. Santa Barbara designer Jessica Risko Smith recommends soapstone and granite for clients seeking lower-maintenance natural options, while designers Kilian Camp and Steven Cooper point to porcelain slabs as an alternative that can suit tighter budgets.
The alternatives come with different trade-offs. The report says marble and quartzite may require more maintenance, while natural materials can show wear and change with use. Porcelain is described by the designers as durable, but the article does not give independent product testing or price comparisons. Quartz, meanwhile, is stain-resistant, not stain-proof, Cooper says—a distinction that may matter to homeowners who expect a surface to remain unmarked.
Choices Affect Cost and Care
Countertops are a significant home-improvement purchase, and replacing them can mean expense and disruption. The change described by designers may affect which materials homeowners compare, but it does not mean every kitchen should avoid quartz. Buyers will need to weigh appearance, price, maintenance and durability for their own use rather than treating any surface as worry-free.
There is also a worker-safety dimension. The report says California is preparing to ban production of engineered quartz because of concerns that exposure to crystalline silica can cause silicosis, a serious lung disease. That issue concerns fabrication and worker exposure; the report does not say installed quartz countertops pose the same risk to household occupants. Any rule’s scope and timing matter before drawing broader conclusions.
Products Worth Considering
Coway Airmega 250 Air Purifier for Large Rooms
Bose TV Speaker (2nd Gen) Compact Soundbar with Bluetooth and HDMI Connectivity
Dyson Cyclone V10 Origin Cordless Vacuum
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
Why Designers Are Reconsidering Quartz
Engineered quartz became popular in kitchens partly because it offers consistent patterns, durability and relatively low maintenance, according to the designers quoted by House Beautiful. Its appearance can imitate dramatic stone veining, while natural slabs vary from piece to piece. The report says some designers now favor that variation and the signs of aging associated with natural materials.
The article presents two strands behind the shift: changing aesthetic preferences and concern about silica exposure in stone fabrication. Camp, a San Diego-based designer, characterizes potential restrictions beyond California as a possibility, not an enacted national policy. She predicts the East Coast may take precautions, but the report provides no confirmed timeline or announced rule for that region.
“I always tell clients quartz is stain-resistant, not stain-proof.”
— Steven Cooper, Cooper Pacific Kitchens, as quoted by House Beautiful
Policy and Market Shift Remain Unclear
The report does not establish that quartz is broadly “on its way out.” It gives no national sales data, market-share figures, or multi-year trend showing how many homeowners or designers have changed materials. The cited 78 percent figure refers to designers sourcing quartzite, not the proportion abandoning quartz, and the comparison baseline is not included in the supplied report.
The status, scope and timing of the reported California production ban are also not detailed here. The article does not identify the exact rule or explain which products and fabrication activities it would cover. Nor does it provide comparative testing or complete cost and maintenance data for quartz, natural stone and porcelain. Those details are needed to judge how the trend will affect shoppers and fabricators.
Watch for Rules and Buying Data
Homeowners planning a renovation can compare samples and ask fabricators about care, sealing, repair, warranties and workplace safety practices. Because stone performance and maintenance vary by material and product, requests for written specifications and guidance from the supplier can help clarify expectations. The report does not identify a specific next industry milestone or date for new rules.
The clearest signs of whether this is a lasting market shift will be future industry sourcing and sales data, along with official details on any California restrictions. Until those are available, the evidence supports a reported design preference among some professionals—not a confirmed nationwide replacement of quartz.
Key Questions
Is quartz being banned across the United States?
No nationwide ban is confirmed in the report. It describes California as preparing to restrict production of engineered quartz, but does not provide the rule’s text or timing.
What countertop materials are designers recommending instead?
The designers cited recommend quartzite, marble, soapstone, granite and porcelain slabs. Their suitability depends on budget, appearance and desired upkeep.
Is quartz completely stain-proof?
No. Steven Cooper tells House Beautiful that quartz is stain-resistant, not stain-proof. The report also says some clients may expect more from the surface than it can deliver.
Are natural-stone countertops maintenance-free?
No. The report says marble and quartzite may require more maintenance, and natural stone can show wear or develop changes over time. Ask the supplier about care for the specific stone.
Does the report prove quartz is losing market share?
No. It cites a designer-sourcing figure for quartzite but supplies no full methodology, comparison baseline or national sales data. It describes a design trend reported by professionals, not a verified market-wide decline.
Source: housebeautiful.com
