Material and design directions shaping office, retail, and hospitality fitouts across Brisbane and beyond Commercial benchtops aren’t just functional surfaces—they’re integral to the look, flow, and durability of fitouts in offices, retail outlets, restaurants, and other high-traffic environments. As design preferences evolve and building requirements become more demanding, staying across material and style trends can give builders and shopfitters a clear edge.
At AMS, we work closely with construction professionals to supply laminate, acrylic, and compact benchtops that are made to suit the current needs of commercial fitouts. Here’s what’s trending for 2025 and what you should be thinking about when specifying benchtops for your next project.
Durability Is Driving Material Choices
In commercial settings, longevity matters. Whether it’s a busy café counter, a medical reception desk, or a communal workspace, the surfaces need to stand up to heat, impact, moisture, and daily wear. That’s why we’re seeing a major shift toward compact laminate benchtops.
Compact surfaces offer superior durability with no need for edging or sealing. This makes them particularly useful in environments where hygiene is critical, like dental clinics, aged care facilities, and hospitality kitchens. For builders, compact laminate is a smart choice when the spec calls for something that can take a beating and still hold its form for years.
Acrylic surfaces are also gaining traction thanks to their solid-core construction and ability to be repaired on-site if scratched. Their seamless joins make them a preferred choice for modern commercial bathrooms and reception areas where clean design is just as important as performance.
Matte and Satin Finishes Replacing Gloss
While high-gloss laminates used to be the standard for many commercial interiors, preferences are changing. In 2025, matte and satin finishes are the front runners. These surfaces not only deliver a more natural, muted look—they’re also better at hiding fingerprints, smudges, and light surface wear.
Retail and hospitality venues, in particular, are opting for tactile finishes that bring warmth and texture into the space. This trend aligns with a broader movement toward material authenticity, where surfaces are meant to feel as good as they look. AMS offers a range of benchtop finishes that respond directly to these shifts in style without compromising durability or cost-effectiveness.
20mm Compact Profiles and Clean Edges
Designers and builders are moving away from bulky benchtop slabs in favour of slimmer, 20mm profiles. This leaner look creates a cleaner finish and helps visually open up smaller commercial spaces.
AMS introduced our range of 20mm options to fill the gap in this market—especially important for clients needing to match minimalist aesthetics across kitchens, staff areas, and reception joinery. These slimmer surfaces can also reduce weight for suspended or wall-mounted applications like floating vanities or hospitality benches.
Colour Consistency and Custom Tones
Another trend that’s grown significantly is the demand for brand-aligned colour schemes. From boutique retailers to co-working hubs, clients are requesting benchtops in specific tones that align with interior palettes and brand guidelines.
To meet this need, AMS supplies colour ranges in laminate, acrylic, and compact materials, with neutral tones like stone greys, soft beiges, and matte blacks leading the way. For retail and hospitality builds, bold contrasts like deep charcoal or timber-look laminates are also seeing a surge.
Because commercial projects often require consistent colour across multiple rooms or levels, our clients value our ability to deliver repeat orders with consistent quality and tone.
Integrated Design for Function and Flexibility
Today’s commercial spaces demand more flexibility than ever. Whether it’s a floating retail display bench, an integrated worktop in a co-working hub, or a concealed back-of-house counter, joinery is being designed with multi-function in mind.
That’s where benchtop integration becomes critical. Our customers are regularly requesting seamless benchtops that flow into shelving, vertical panels, or integrated splashbacks—all delivered as one solution. AMS supports this need by offering pre-cut, ready-to-install benchtops with clear tolerances and fast turnarounds.
Faster Turnaround Times, Reliable Site Delivery
With more commercial jobs running on compressed timelines, builders and fitout specialists can’t afford to wait weeks for custom orders. At AMS, we’ve geared our Brisbane Northside facility to manufacture and deliver benchtops with short lead times—helping you keep projects on schedule and on budget.
Whether it’s a one-off retail counter or a full commercial kitchen package, our team works with you to supply surfaces that are cut to spec, edge-banded (if needed), and ready for install.
Who Are These Trends For?
These shifts in materials, profiles, and finishes are shaping a wide range of projects:
Retail & Showroom Fitouts: Compact and laminate surfaces for high-touch counters and workbenches
Medical & Healthcare: Seamless acrylic and compact options for hygiene-critical spaces
Hospitality: Heat- and water-resistant surfaces for commercial kitchens, service counters, and bars
Corporate Offices: 20mm matte benchtops for meeting rooms, breakout areas, and workstations
Builders, cabinet makers, joiners, and renovation specialists working in these sectors should be prepared to offer recommendations that meet both aesthetic and practical expectations—especially as more clients come with set ideas from designers or moodboards.
Supplying What Builders Need, When They Need It
At AMS, we specialise in manufacturing and supplying custom benchtops for commercial projects across Queensland. We work with builders, shopfitters, and fabricators to produce laminate, acrylic, and compact surfaces that meet the demands of today’s builds.
From floating shelving to 20mm compact surfaces and high-volume orders, we’re set up to support your project with precision, reliability, and direct-to-site delivery options.
Need materials for your next fitout?
Get in touch with our team to quote your next job or find out more about our available colour ranges and cut-to-size options.
