When choosing countertops for your kitchen or bathroom, there are two key decisions you need to make. First, you need to pick the material. Then, you need to choose the finish. The finish is critical as it affects the appearance and the level of care and maintenance your countertop will require.

In this post, we’ll compare honed and polished finishes for four popular materials: marble, quartz, quartzite, and granite. You’ll learn everything you need to know to choose the perfect fit for your style and space.

The Difference Between Honed and Polished Finishes

The key difference between honed and polished finishes is their appearance and texture. Honed finishes feature a smooth, matte surface, while polished finishes create a glossy, reflective look. These effects are achieved through different techniques during the manufacturing process.

What Is a Honed Finish?

A honed finish is created by grinding the stone down until it’s smooth but non-reflective. The result is a soft, velvety surface that feels more organic and natural. It’s ideal for homeowners looking for a more casual, understated look. A honed finish is also great at hiding scratches and etches — making it perfect for busy households.

What Is a Polished Finish?

Polished finishes are all about gloss and shine. The stone is polished to a high sheen that enhances the natural colors and patterns of the material. It creates a more striking and luxurious look. The reflective surface bounces light around the room and can instantly brighten up your space. The trade-off is the shine also tends to make scratches, etches, and smudges more visible.

Honed vs. Polished Marble Countertops

Marble countertops bring timeless beauty to any kitchen or bathroom. However, your choice of finish can significantly impact the look of your countertop and its maintenance requirements.

Appearance and Aesthetic Differences

Polished Marble

A polished marble countertop adds a touch of luxury to your space. The high-gloss finish elevates the stone’s natural veining and colors. Its shine creates a bright, airy atmosphere, making it a popular choice for classic, high-end designs. Whether it’s a bathroom vanity or a kitchen island, polished marble brings an undeniable wow factor.

Honed Marble:

Honed marble is a great choice if you want to bring a calmer, understated elegance to your space. Honed marble is subtle. Its smooth, matte finish gives a softer, organic look that feels more relaxed, toning down the drama of the stone’s veining and colors. 

Maintenance and Durability

Polished Marble

That gorgeous gloss does come with some trade-offs. Polished marble is more vulnerable to scratches and staining, especially when exposed to acidic substances like lemon juice, wine, or vinegar. However, the smooth, non-porous surface does make cleaning your marble countertop easier.

Honed Marble

Honed marble has a matte surface that hides scratches and etches better than polished marble. It’s a practical choice for busy households. However, it’s more porous and prone to staining, so regular sealing is vital to keeping it looking fresh.

Best Uses for Marble Finishes

Polished Marble

Polished marble is perfect for high-traffic areas like kitchen countertops or showpiece areas like backsplashes. The polished finish brings out the drama in the marble, making it ideal for luxurious kitchens and elegant bathrooms where you want the stone to shine.

Honed Marble

This finish is ideal for areas where you want a relaxed, natural feel. It’s a popular choice for bathroom vanities and lower-traffic kitchens. The soft look is perfect for minimalist designs , adding a touch of sophistication without overwhelming the space.

Honed vs. Polished Quartz Countertops

Quartz countertops are renowned for their durability and low maintenance, making them a top choice for homeowners. In fact, 40% of homeowners upgrading their kitchen countertops choose quartz, according to a recent study. However, while quartz offers many benefits, the finish you select can greatly influence your space’s appearance and functionality.

Appearance and Aesthetic Differences

Polished Quartz

Polished quartz can add brightness to any room. The glossy surface can give your countertops a modern feel while enhancing the depth of the stone’s colors and patterns. If you want your countertops to be a focal point, polished quartz is a stunning option.

Honed Quartz

Honed quartz is more understated, perfect for those who want a more muted aesthetic. The matte finish offers a more natural look that works well in minimalist and industrial designs.

Maintenance and Durability

Polished Quartz

This finish is perfect for busy kitchens. The smooth, non-porous surface makes polished quartz easy to clean and highly resistant to stains. However, the glossy finish can show fingerprints and smudges, so you’ll need to wipe it down regularly to keep it looking pristine.

Honed Quartz

Honed quartz has a matte finish that is better at hiding fingerprints and smudges, but it is slightly more vulnerable to staining. Prompt spill cleanup is essential to maintain its appearance.

Best Uses for Quartz Finishes

Polished Quartz

Polished quartz works well in high-traffic areas where you need durability without sacrificing style. Its glossy surface makes it ideal for kitchens or bathrooms where you want a touch of luxury and elegance.

Honed Quartz

Honed quartz is an excellent choice if you prefer a more modern, minimalist, or industrial design for your space. It’s perfect for bathroom vanities, kitchen countertops, or islands where you want a sleek but natural look.

Honed vs. Polished Quartzite Countertops

Quartzite is a breathtaking natural stone known for its incredible durability. Whether you go for a sleek polished sheen or a soft-honed texture, your choice will have a significant impact on how your quartzite countertop looks and how easy it is to maintain.

Appearance and Aesthetic Differences

Polished Quartzite

Polished quartzite adds elegance to your space. The high-shine finish brings out the stone’s dramatic natural veining and color variations to create a luxurious look. It’s perfect for those who want to make their countertops a focal point.

Honed Quartzite

For a more natural look, honed quartzite is a great option. The matte finish tones down the shine, giving the stone a soft, muted appearance. This finish works well for modern or rustic spaces where a more casual aesthetic is desired.

Maintenance and Durability

Polished Quartzite

Polished quartzite has a smooth, non-porous surface, making your countertop easier to clean and less likely to stain. However, the high-gloss finish can highlight scratches and etching over time. Regular sealing is important to protect the surface from damage.

Honed Quartzite

Honed quartzite is more porous, so you’ll need more regular sealing to prevent stains and moisture damage. However, the matte finish is better at hiding scratches and etching than polished quartzite.

Best Uses for Quartzite Finishes

Polished Quartzite

Polished quartzite is a great option for high-traffic kitchens or bathrooms where you want your countertops to stand out. The glossy finish enhances color and veining, showcasing the stone’s natural beauty.

Honed Quartzite

Honed quartzite is a good option if you prefer a more muted aesthetic. It’s the ideal material for bathroom vanities and kitchen islands where you want a softer, more natural look.

Honed vs. Polished Granite Countertops

Choosing the right finish for your granite countertops can make a big difference in style and maintenance. Honed granite tends to absorb more light, whereas a polished finish is more reflective.

Appearance and Aesthetic Differences

Polished Granite

Polished granite delivers a high-gloss finish that enhances the stone’s natural color and pattern. It’s also more reflective and can add light to your space, which is why it’s such a popular choice for traditional and luxury kitchens. According to a recent Redfin survey, 85% of luxury homebuyers specifically request either granite or quartz countertops.

Honed Granite

Honed granite offers a more subdued, matte finish. It creates a natural, organic look that beautifully fits rustic or contemporary designs. Honed granite is an excellent choice if you prefer a softer, less shiny appearance.

Maintenance and Durability

Polished Granite

Like the previous materials, polished granite is less porous than honed granite. That makes it a good option for high-traffic areas as the smooth surface is more resistant to stains and spills. However, it shows smudges, fingerprints, and scratches more easily.

Honed Granite

Honed granite requires more regular sealing to maintain its natural beauty and prevent damage. The surface is more porous, making it more prone to absorbing spills and moisture. The upside is its matte finish hides scratches and etching better than polished granite.

Best Uses for Granite Finishes

Polished Granite

Polished granite combines a refined aesthetic with easy maintenance. It’s an excellent option for high-traffic kitchens or bathrooms where durability is key. The glossy surface is resistant to staining and is simple to clean, making it perfect for busy households that want to combine elegance and practicality.

Honed Granite

This finish is perfect for bathrooms, kitchen islands, or any space where a natural, relaxed aesthetic is desired. It’s a great fit for modern or rustic designs that prioritize texture over shine.

How to Choose the Right Finish for Your Countertop Material

Choosing between a honed or polished finish can completely transform the look and feel of your space—but how do you know which one is right for you? It all comes down to your style preferences, daily use, and maintenance preferences.

Style Preferences

The finish you choose for your countertops sets the tone for your entire space. A polished finish is perfect if you’re aiming for a sleek, modern look with a bit of shine. The reflective surface highlights the stone’s natural colors and patterns, creating a sophisticated vibe. 

If you prefer a more relaxed, organic feel, a honed finish offers a smooth, matte surface that feels more understated. Honed finishes provide a natural, timeless look without the gloss.

Daily Use

Your lifestyle and how you use your countertops should heavily influence your decision. If you do a lot of cooking or have kids around, polished might be the more practical option. The glossy surface is easier to wipe clean and more effectively resists stains.

Honed countertops are better at hiding scratches and etching, making them a smart choice for areas that may see more wear and tear. However, they are slightly more porous, so they may need more attention when it comes to preventing stains.

Maintenance Preferences

How much time are you willing to spend on upkeep? Polished finishes require less frequent sealing and are generally easier to maintain day-to-day. Honed finishes are more porous and require regular sealing to protect against stains. If you’re looking for low maintenance, polished might be your go-to. If you’re after a more natural look, honed could be worth the extra care.

For either finish, consider applying a professional countertop protection treatment. Our countertop protection services can help extend the life of your countertops and make maintenance even easier, keeping them looking beautiful for years to come.

Ready to elevate your kitchen or bathroom with the perfect countertop finish?

Whether you’re drawn to the sleek shine of polished stone or the soft elegance of a honed finish, we have the perfect materials to bring your vision to life. Contact us today to learn more or schedule an appointment with our expert team.