Corbels vs. Brackets: Choose the Best Option for Your Kitchen Counters

Looking for an attractive way to support and/or enhance the beauty of your kitchen counters? You'll find your solution among the many models of corbels and brackets on the market today. The trick is determining which one is right for you.

Corbels and brackets are architectural elements that can serve both a functional and a decorative role in your kitchen. If your countertops are made of a heavy material such as granite or marble, corbels and brackets are absolutely essential from a structural standpoint. If your countertops are a bit lighter, corbels and brackets may only be ornamental in nature.

What Separates Corbels and Brackets?
Both corbels and brackets are pieces that protrude from a wall and may be designed to support some sort of weight. In kitchens, corbels and brackets are typically used beneath countertops, islands, bar tops and shelves.

The key difference between corbels and brackets is their width; corbels are generally thicker than brackets. In fact, some corbels are as deep as they are wide, while brackets are often two, three or even four times as deep as wide.

Despite their dissimilar proportions, both corbels and brackets come in sizes that can accommodate even the heaviest counters (although the heft of corbels makes them more likely to fit this bill). And each provides homeowners with a variety of materials and styles from which to choose.

Focus on Corbels
When considering corbels for your kitchen counters, look at factors such as these:

1) Material: Many homeowners decide to go with wood corbels or polyurethane corbels. Marble corbels are also a possibility. Whether for support or decoration, hand-carved wood corbels - the most popular choice for the kitchen - are available in a number of woods, such as maple, oak, cherry, birch and alder. This level of flexibility is great if you're trying to match the wood elsewhere in your kitchen. Meanwhile, polyurethane corbels are known for their durability but are designed for decorative purposes only.

2) Style: Corbels come in a wide range of styles, so it's easy to find one that suits yours. Everything from simple and understated (e.g. straight lines for a basic elegance) to beautifully intricate (e.g. carvings of flowers, grapes or leaves) is at your disposal.

3) Application: When choosing corbels, you must also consider their specific application. If you need to provide support for a countertop, then do not purchase polyurethane corbels. When looking at wood corbels, the key feature to focus upon is corbel depth. Specifically, the corbel should measure between one-half and three-quarters the depth of the overhang it will support. And corbels should be spaced about three feet apart for adequate support and balance.

Focus on Brackets
These three key factors can also help you pick out brackets for your counters:

1) Material: For homeowners in search of a purely functional solution, counter brackets come in metal and stainless steel. Iron brackets - in finishes such as bronze rust and matte black - are a definite step up in terms of appearance. Of course, many homeowners come back to the classic look of wood brackets. As with corbels, wood brackets can be found in a variety of wood types, including maple, cherry, oak and birch, and can serve a functional and/or decorative role.

2) Style: A wide selection of brackets is available for use in kitchens of all styles. Metal and stainless steel are pretty basic in terms of design options, but iron comes in all sorts of motifs, such as flowing leaf, twisted rope and various scrolls. Meanwhile, wood brackets often feature beautiful historical designs; popular carvings include leaf scrolls, grapes and acanthus leaves.

3) Application: The same rule of thumb that applies to corbels also applies here: Bracket depth should be one-half to three-quarters of the depth of the overhang, depending on the weight of the counter. And like corbels, brackets should be spread about three feet apart.

A Final Word
It's easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of corbels and brackets out there for your kitchen counters. But concentrating one by one on each of the three key variables - material, style and application - can make your decision a bit easier. And remember: No matter how your kitchen is decorated, there's a corbel or bracket that's perfect for you.