What Color Countertop Should You Choose?
Softly flecked or grainy whites also work well paired with brass accents, such a these contemporary lights. Again, the subtle richness holds its own without fighting for attention, and keeps the countertop from feeling too austere — great for a dining-island where you want people to actually feel comfortable dining.
Pure WhitePure white countertops, generally only available in manufactured materials like Corian or Caesarstone, bring a contemporary, minimalist freshness that no natural stone can match. They appear ultraclean, at least, when they are actually perfectly clean. Luckily these materials resist staining well so they can stay a crisp white for years with just a little care.
This stark look works well in contemporary spaces. As mentioned the severity of a true white can fight a traditional decor, but it in a modern space it feels appropriately crisp. It’s especially effective in small spaces like compact condo kitchens, paired with minimalist white cabinets to give the illusion of a bigger space.In this example, the counters are paired with a more sumptuous backsplash to balance the stark white with a little gentle character.
WoodWarm wood, with its inviting air and natural richness, is a great choice for infusing a cool breezy kitchen with some approachable character. Crisp white kitchens feel a little more “homey” and a little less austere with a wood countertop. It makes a popular choice for transitional kitchens that balance traditional and contemporary elements, especially since classic wood fits into both categories at once.
Wood counters, naturally, also work well in spaces that already feature wood cabinets, that is, if you’re a true wood lover and don’t mind it dominating the palette.Notice how in several of these examples, wood only dresses the island counters. Wood in general is an excellent material to use for an accent counter (often the island top, or a small “chopping zone” in butcher block), contrasting nearby stone or solid-surface counters in a pleasing way.
In general, lighter woods tend to have more of a casual or rustic air to them, compared to darker stained options. Light-stained or simply unstained (but still sealed and finished) woods can have a cottage-inspired feel, or a Scandinavian vibe, depending on whether you pair them with traditional or modern accoutrements. In either case a traditional runner rug makes an excellent compliment.
When mixing wood counters with other wood finishes, its often best to stick to either warm or cool tones across the board. Red-brown woods are more traditional, while ashy gray tones have a been a popular modern trend in recent years. Whichever you prefer, they will be much less likely to clash if you stick to one family or the other.
Dark or BlackDark counters, in tones like black or charcoal, can appear very gothic in some situations and perfectly harmonious in others. If you have dark cabinetry, dark floors, or other rich and weighty finishes, a dark countertop will only fit right in. In this example, you can see that the white counter is the one that pops, compared to the island counter that almost blends into the deep wood drawer fronts.
Because white can sometimes absorb and dampen nearby colors, a rich dark countertop can actually be the better choice to bring out subtle colors in painted cabinets, like the powder blue door units in this carefree kitchen. Choosing a dark gray rather than pure black will soften the look, so it’s usually preferable to stop at charcoal in most situations rather than going for true black.
Here’s a very specific, but beautiful, situation where dark countertops are a near-must. When you’re using a tinted mirror backsplash to subtly open up the space visually, a dark counter will echo the deep, moody surface for a perfect complement.In this kitchen, the counter picks up on the black elements of the appliances, the dark legs of the furniture, and of course the rich and complex parquet floors, so it feels integrated into the design rather than like a single punctuation mark.
Lastly, sometimes you just want that classic black and white look. If you have a kitchen with crisp white cabinets and little actual color, or you have just a few small areas of counter, a dark or black stone brings some instant drama.Again, it’s never wise to have just one large black element in your design, lest it stand out like a sore thumb, so you’ll want to introduce other sprinklings of black such as elegantly simple black cabinet knobs and pulls.
Dark or black countertops are good for you if:You have dark cabinets you want to blend in with.You have colorful, fun cabinets and you want the hue to really shine.You have a smoky mirrored backsplash, a trendy favorite in condos and modern homes.You have other black elements in the space to connect back to.You’re aiming to achieve a classic black and white scheme.
Mid-Tone or GraySoft gray countertops, and other mid-tone shades like beiges or rich creams, will be the most neutral counter options. In this kitchen, with creamy off-white cabinets and golden yellow undertones in the backsplash and wood, the dreamy creamy counters add to a harmonious, peaceful look, perfect for friendly family breakfasts.
Softly flecked gray stone like this has a similar look to concrete, and it works perfectly in contemporary spaces with a bit of an architectural bent. It has the advantage of hiding the occasional spot, while still looking clean and tidy and not too dark or busy. Great if you don’t always have a perfectly organized space but you still want a put together look.
Mid-tone or gray countertops are good for you if:You want a soft, friendly vibe with muted tones harmonizing together.You have colorful cabinetry or multiple tones of cabinets mixed together.You have a black and white scheme that could use a little softening.You love warm metallic accents and want to show them off.
In general, the bolder the veining on your counters, the less drama you’ll want to add elsewhere to balance the look. This waterfall counter (with the material wrapped down the sides) is relatively muted, but the large scale of the gray veins still bring enough character without any daring colors or other statement features.
This isn’t to say you cannot use a bold stone in a compact kitchen, only that it will feel even more dramatic in scale, meaning you will likely want to keep the other finishes very sedate. Notice how many of these spaces use the same dramatic stone for the counter and the backsplash–making for a truly singular statement (and often cleverly using an entire slab to avoid wasting the offcuts).
Like with solid dark counters, a dark, richly veined stone can actually feel less dramatic when paired with dark cabinets. Whether you use espresso wood, or a modern painted gray like in the previous photo, coordinating a base tone in the stone to one of a similar darkness or lightness in the cabinets will help the two connect.
Ultimately, the only way to truly tell how a richly veined stone will look with your other elements is by getting the largest sample you can, or asking to see the actual slab you could be purchasing and bring your samples with you to get a sense of what tones are strongest in the stone, often very different from what seems the most dominant in a random small sample.
Dramatic countertops are good for you if:You have a large kitchen.You want the counters to be the primary statement.You have dark cabinets to offset a dark moody stone.You can’t get enough visual drama.MoreYour Guide to 15 Popular Kitchen Countertop MaterialsSee more on kitchen countersMore Resources on HouzzSearch for kitchen productsFind a pro near you
Flecked Or Softly Veined WhiteOne of the most common and coveted countertop finishes is a stone or manufactured slab material (such as quartz) in a white or off-white shade with a light multi-tonal fleck or grain to give it subtle natural richness. This snowy, sparkling look works well in many situations, as it is very neutral but contemporary and fresh. The pale tone brings a sense of cleanness and lightness to the space, but with a twist of subtle sophistication.
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