Over the last decade the fashion was for granite kitchen worktops, the ultimate status symbol in any new kitchen. As with all trends, the granite craze has started to lose steam as homeowners look to fresher options.Now as the less-expensive granites have been monopolised by builders, granite is no longer seen as the high-end product it once was.Home owners redesigning their kitchen today, are gaining inspiration for the kitchen worktop from both new materials and old favorites. Silestone and Caesarstone are relatively new Quartz-based products on the market, are available in a wide choice of colors and carry a premium over run-of-the-mill granite worktops. Corian is also gaining popularity and can have items such as the kitchen sink included as one piece with the worktop. Other surfaces that have been in use for years limestone, soapstone, marble and wooden block, are seeing a resurgence in popularity.All these worktop materials are cut to order and can be had in countless combinations of materials, color, finish and thickness. Sink manufacturers are also producing more variety of designs, colours and materials to match the trend in kitchen worktops.I dont think that granite is going away, says Adam Johnston, Kitchen Designer. If you want granite that will stay in fashion longer, focus on the lighter colors with subdued patterns. Weve also seen customers make an island into a statement piece by choosing a more exotic granite slab with lots of color and runs.