--- title: Mourning a Marble Countertop? Here are Durable, Affordable Alternatives description: Wish you could have a marble countertop, but not loving the high price tag and poor durability? Here is a list of gorgeous, budget-friendly, and highly-durable marble alternatives to choose from for your kitchen countertop and/or backsplash. --- [Kitchen Design Blog ](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog) # [Mourning a Marble Countertop? Here are Durable, Affordable Alternatives](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/mourning-a-marble-countertop-here-are-durable-affordable-alternatives) Written by [Kitchen Magic](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/author/kitchen-magic) | May 8, 2018 Marble is gorgeous; it's soft, luxurious look and textures (the velvet of the natural stone world) are hard to resist. The problem, aside from it's high price-tag, is that marble's "softness" makes it hard to resist scratching, etching, staining and chipping. This is why it's not the best option for most kitchens - particularly those that are busy, enjoy the presence of boisterous children, or where there simply isn't time to provide the routine maintenance required.   [Photo by Severine Photography](https://www.houzz.com/pro/severinephotography/severine-photography) - [Marble countertop photos on Houzz](https://www.houzz.com/photos/kitchen)   If you're one of those homeowners mourning the reality that marble isn't the [best option for you](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/what-s-the-best-kitchen-countertop-corian-quartz-or-granite) - you're in luck!   ## Put that Hanky Away & Install One of These Gorgeous Marble Countertop Alternatives The Kitchen Magic crew has come up with a list of marble-esque options that are not only more durable and better suited for kitchen applications, but also includes [affordable alternatives](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/kitchen-design-on-a-budget-take-the-phased-approach), too. *Kitchen Design Hint:* If [you're a baker](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/kitchen-design-secrets-and-essentials-from-seasoned-pro-chefs) and partial to marble, do consider a [baker-friendly kitchen design](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/a-dozen-ideas-for-designing-a-bakers-kitchen) that includes a marble countertop section for rolling out your favorite dough, and install one of these more durable options elsewhere.   ### Cambria Quartz [Cambria](https://www.kitchenmagic.com/kitchen-countertops/quartz/cambria) actually has a collection of quartz countertop designs they've fittingly named, "[The Marble Collection](https://www.cambriausa.com/marble-collection/)". You can filter the designs in their gallery by collection to view them all, but here are a few that really capture the true essence of marble's inherent beauty. **Delgatie** is a new, marble-like design that we featured in our recent blog about [brand-new Cambria Quartz Designs for Kitchens](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/brand-new-cambria-quartz-designs-for-kitchens). It has very subtle movement, and resembles classical or even ancient marble.   Cambria Quartz in Delgatie   **Brittanicca** is a favorite of designers, and one of Cambria's most popular designs. It's more dramatic than Delgatie, with intense veining and big waves of gray and beige flowing through a creamy white sea.   Cambria Quartz in Brittanicca   **Swansbridge** is on the subdued side, but it's still unique from Delgatie. With swirls of white and gray over smooth cream, this coordination-friendly selection is sure to shine when combined with just about any cabinet color *([especially with white cabinets](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/what-countertop-looks-best-with-white-cabinets)!)*   Cambria Quartz in Swansbridge   In our opinion, Cambria's Marble Collection has some of the best marble-alternative selections for countertops. Their product is [engineered using natural quartz](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/bid/139456/Cambria-Quartz-Countertops-Six-Reasons-Why-Quartz-Beats-Granite), allowing them to control the look and style of each slab, and it's durability is tough to beat (pun intended!) While quartz is more budget-friendly than marble, read on for some even lower price-point options.   ### Granite Granite typically has a bolder pattern than marble, but there are exceptions. One of them is the Luna Pearl, and the other is the Blanco Leblon. Both of them have a more subtle, softer pattern - including the traditional white, to gray, to black color scale marble is known for. The Luna Pearl slab, shown in the kitchen below, has a lovely luminescence that contributes to the marble-likeness as well.   [Photo by Kami Graff Designs](https://www.houzz.com/pro/kamigraffdesigns/kami-graff-designs) - [Luna Pearl Granite Countertop](https://www.houzz.com/photo/4122477-vintage-inspired-kitchen-traditional-kitchen)   Not coincidentally we're sure, both of these [granite ](https://www.kitchenmagic.com/kitchen-countertops/granite)colors happen to be on our [5 Most Popular Granite Countertop Colors](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/most-popular-granite-countertop-colors) list.   ### Corian [Corian ](https://www.kitchenmagic.com/kitchen-countertops/corian)is known for its softer look, and that's why our Corian line offers a few different options that will resonate with marble lovers. **Gray Onyx** was not only designed smack dab in the middle of [the marble gray scale](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/4-scientific-reasons-to-go-gray-in-your-kitchen), the designers included a very fluid, swirled pattern that adds movement and contrast to any kitchen design.   Gray Onyx Corian Solid Surface   **Limestone Prima** is not a surprise to see on this list because marble stone is actually limestone that's gone through a metamorphic process of applied heat and pressure - [compliments of Mother Nature](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/5-questions-to-consider-before-installing-an-outdoor-kitchen).   [Photo by Dolan & Traynor, Inc.](https://www.houzz.com/pro/dolanandtraynor/dolan-and-traynor-inc) - [Corian Countertop in Limestone Prima](https://www.houzz.com/photo/90835645-corian®-limestone-prima-new-york)   **Venaro White** is a marble-alternative option that takes the grays out and leaves a smooth, nearly opalescent countertop surface. The [creamy tones add warmth](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/give-your-kitchen-that-warm-tuscan-look) and the end result is a countertop that is as graceful as it is versatile.   [Photo by Mal Corboy Design](https://www.houzz.com/pro/malcor3/mal-corboy-design) - [Verano White Corian Solid Surface](https://www.houzz.com/photo/66506459-tamhere-kitchen-transitional-kitchen-hamilton)   Rolling, cutting, mixing, dicing - these Corian options give you the look you want, without any of the fuss or worries inherent in its softer, [more porous](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/bid/141925/What-Does-Non-Porous-Mean-and-Why-Does-It-Matter) marble counterpart.   ### Laminate Surprised that [laminate](https://www.kitchenmagic.com/kitchen-countertops/laminate) made the list? Don't be - Laminate manufacturers have put in overtime to create [high-definition options](https://www.kitchenmagic.com/kitchen-countertops/laminate/wilsonart-hd) that are delightfully upscale (not to mention ultra-affordable). If you're interested in a marble-like countertop that respects the budget, consider: #### Formica There are two [Formica](https://www.kitchenmagic.com/kitchen-countertops/laminate/formica) options we think you'll love: **Carrara Bianco**, named for the most famous marble of all, this laminate design does an impressive job of emulating one of the most delicate marble patterns on the market in the white/gray tones.   Formica Backsplash in Carrara Bianco   **Carrara Envision** similarly mimics natural marble patterns but offers cream/earth-toned hues for a warmer effect. This option is a good one for those who like the [wood and white](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/wood-and-white-is-the-new-white) combo.   Formica Carrara Envision   #### Wilsonart In the Wilsonart category we offer: **Drama Marble**; the name says it all. This option offers realistic marbling that includes gray, brown and bronze tones - making it a very versatile finish. Wilsonart's proprietary [AEON Soft Silk finish](https://www.wilsonart.com/aeon-enhanced-performance-technology) ensures stain- and scratch-resistance, to boot.   [Photo by Wilsonart](https://www.houzz.com/pro/wilsonart/wilsonart) - [Wilsonart Countertop in Drama Marble](https://www.houzz.com/photo/114046658-wilsonart®-residential-laminate-drama-marble-soft-silk-finish-austin)   **Marmo Bianco**'s pattern is eye-catching with realistic fractures and veining (the same features causing marble's vulnerability in "real life" and looks wonderful in both farmhouse and [über-contemporary kitchens](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/mid-century-modern-vs-postmodern-contemporary).   [Photo by Wilsonart](https://www.houzz.com/pro/wilsonart/wilsonart) - [Marmo Bianco Wilsonart Countertop](https://www.houzz.com/photo/114046699-wilsonart®-residential-laminate-marmo-bianco-soft-silk-finish-austin)   See! There's no use crying over too-soft marble. These durable and affordable, marble countertop alternatives are the solution. The [Kitchen Magic](https://www.kitchenmagic.com/appointment) team is standing by to help you select the best option for your marble hungry kitchen tastes.     [View full post](https://blog.kitchenmagic.com/blog/mourning-a-marble-countertop-here-are-durable-affordable-alternatives) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Kitchen Magic" }, "dateModified" : "2026-01-30T10:56:24.787Z", "datePublished" : "2018-05-08T11:24:09Z", "headline" : "Mourning a Marble Countertop? 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