Select Countertops That Complement And Enhance Your Kitchen
Looking for new kitchen countertops? You want counters that enhance your space and make a cohesive design statement. From the color to the material, countertops greatly impact your kitchen's layout and character. Choosing countertops that complement your kitchen properly is key.
We'll discuss everything from determining your style goals, to coordinating with cabinets and flooring, to comparing popular countertop materials and colors. From sleek modern white counters, to warm and rustic butcher block, to eco-friendly recycled glass surfaces, your options are endless. By factoring in your lifestyle, taste and budget, you can craft a kitchen with countertops you'll love. Let's dive in!
How To Pick The Perfect Countertop Color
Selecting the ideal counter hue sets the tone for your entire kitchen. Follow these tips when deciding on a color:
Determine Your Style Goals
What look and feel are you aiming for in your kitchen remodel or new home build? Do you want your counters to blend subtly with classic white cabinetry? Or make a vibrant style statement against dark espresso cabinets?
Consider the overall aesthetic you're creating - modern, traditional, cottage, industrial, etc. - and choose a counter color that enhances that style. For a cozy cottage kitchen, warm earth tones like cream, tan and light brown are welcoming. In a contemporary space, cool grays and bright whites feel sleek and fresh.
Also decide if you want a subtle neutral color or something bold. Neutrals like white, black, various grays and soft beiges effortlessly match any design. Go for pops of color like navy blue or rich green if you want to make your kitchen pop.
Consider The Lighting
The type and amount of light in your kitchen impacts how colors appear. Cool-toned grays, blues and greens look crisp and vivid in spaces with ample natural light. Under artificial lighting, they can read dull or flat. Warm earth tones like tans, browns and creams feel cozy and inviting in lower lighting conditions.
If you have mostly artificial lighting, veer toward warm hues. Northern exposure kitchens flooded with natural light can better carry cooler tones. Factor in both daylight and fixture lighting when selecting counter shades.
Coordinate With Cabinets
Aim for countertops and cabinets that complement without exactly matching. Go for counters slightly lighter or darker than your cabinet color. High contrast looks disjointed. Too matchy-matchy is boring. The combo should feel cohesive, not chaotic.
For instance, pair creamy white or beige counters with medium wood cabinets. Try a granite or butcher block counter with white uppers. Black cabinets with bright white quartz counters and backsplash pops beautifully. Mixing materials and textures also adds interest.
Factor In The Flooring
The cabinetry and flooring impact the vibe of your counters. With wood flooring, both warm and cool counter tones usually work well. Tile flooring provides opportunity to pull in complementary counter hues. Avoid matching counter and floor colors exactly, as it looks overwhelming.
Browns, beiges or grays are safe choices if you have neutral wood or tile flooring and want versatile counters. For patterned floors, consider a solid counter color that pulls out one shade from the flooring. This ties the elements together.
Test Out Samples
Never select a countertop color without seeing physical samples! Colors appear different in online photos than real life. Order free samples from manufacturers to view in your space. Examine them at different times of day in both natural and artificial light. Store samples in cabinets and against backsplashes to evaluate the full look.
Seeing a full slab at your countertop provider gives the best sense of how a material and color fits your space. Don't commit to a counter you haven't seen in person!
Popular Countertop Color Options
From classic white marble to dramatic blues, today's countertop color choices are endless. Here are some top options along with their pros and cons:
Timeless White
Crisp white counters provide a clean, bright backdrop in any kitchen. White matches any style from modern to traditional to eclectic with their versatility. Materials like quartz and recycled glass are available in white.
The downside is white counters require diligent sealing and cleaning to maintain their pristine look over time. Stains from red wine, tomatoes, oil and more show readily on white. Many homeowners don’t mind embracing a lived-in patina. Others prefer counters better at hiding daily wear and tear.
Light Grays Or Creams
For a subtle, neutral look, soft grays and creams deliver. These counters provide a tranquil backdrop that fits well with any cabinetry and flooring. They camouflage minor scuffs and scratches better than crisp white.
Light grays and creams warm up ultra-modern spaces with their subtle organic feel. Yet they still look elegant against traditional cabinetry. Durable quartz replicates the look of natural stone in creamy dreamy hues.
Classic Black
Black countertops impart a luxe, glamorous vibe. Paired with brass fixtures and light cabinetry, black counters look striking and sophisticated. Their dark color hides crumbs and clutter well. Just avoid pairing with dark floors and cabinets, which would feel too somber.
Like white, black shows every single water spot and streak. Receptive to fingerprints too. Choosing matte over glossy black finishes helps camouflage marks better. Quartz and porcelain work well for black counters.
Earthy Browns Or Tans
Warm brown and tan counters lend a welcoming, earthy feel. These natural wood tones suit any design from modern to farmhouse. Organic counters like butcher block and soapstone come in range of tans and browns. Engineered quartz mimics the look too.
Browns and tans hide nicks, cuts and general wear better than light counters. Their natural vibe pairs perfectly with wood cabinetry. Just avoid matching brown counters and floors exactly. Too monochromatic.
Vibrant Blues Or Greens
Seeking an eye-catching colorful kitchen? Aqua, navy or emerald green counters create a vibrant playful look. These bold counters feel energizing and fun against crisp white cabinets. Opt for solid cabinets and simple backsplash with colorful counters so they really pop.
The only caution with lively colors is they show every spec of dust and grime. You'll have to wipe up spills and clean counters frequently to keep their vivid color shining. Avoid bold counters if you'll find this tiresome.
Countertop Materials To Consider
Along with color, selecting the right countertop material for your needs is key. Durability, maintenance, cost and eco-friendliness all factor in. Here are some top options:
Granite
Natural granite countertops provide timeless elegance few materials match. Available in range of colors from grays to browns to bold blue-greens with natural stone patterns. Resists heat, scratches and stains well. Easy to clean.
Downsides are cost and sealing required. Granite must be professionally sealed yearly to prevent staining and water damage. Resealing adds ongoing maintenance costs. Overall extremely durable and beautiful if you don't mind sealing.
Quartz
Engineered quartz counters offer the look of natural stone with maximum durability. Made from natural quartz crystals fused with resins and polymers. Withstands heat, scratches, stains wonderfully. Non-porous so no sealing needed.
Easy maintenance and extensive color/pattern options make quartz a top choice. Higher cost than laminate but more affordable than natural stone. For beauty and durability combined, quartz delivers.
Laminate
For a budget-friendly counter option, laminate fits the bill. Made by fusing plastic resins with layers of kraft paper then printed with stone-like patterns. Durable, scratch-resistant surface stays looking great for years.
Laminate counters are easy to install yourself and cost a fraction of stone or quartz. Downside is potential for chipping, swelling or bubbles if water seeps beneath the surface. Avoid cutting directly on laminate. Great choice to recreate stone looks affordably.
Tile
Backsplash tile as countertops provide endless options for custom patterns and colors. Tile made of ceramic, porcelain or natural stone withstands heat, scratches and stains well. Easy to clean. Can mimic pricey stone looks affordably.
Downside is keeping grout sealed and recaulking edges when needed. Improper sealing leads to staining and cracking. Check grout sealant every year or two. Use a gentle touch cleaning to avoid scratching grout. Love to DIY? Tile counters offer creative freedom.
Wood
Wood countertops like butcher block impart gorgeous warm, natural style. Eco-friendly solid wood options available like bamboo, walnut and oak. Can sand and refinish over time. Provide nice cutting surface. Match beautifully with wood cabinetry.
Require careful maintenance as wood stains, scratches easily. Must reseal every month or so with mineral oil and avoid excess moisture. Top with a few coats of food-safe sealer for added protection. Choose wood if you adore the look and don’t mind the upkeep.
Factoring In Your Budget
Cost often plays a role in choosing kitchen countertops. Here's a general pricing comparison of popular materials:
Low budget: Laminate ($20-40 per sq. ft. installed)
Mid-range: Tile ($40-100 per sq. ft.), Quartz ($80-150 per sq. ft.)
High-end: Granite ($80-185 per sq. ft.), Reclaimed Wood ($100-200 per sq. ft.)
With any budget, focus first on durability and ease of maintenance. Avoid trendy materials that will look dated quickly. Simple, quality counters retain appeal and value over many years.
The right kitchen countertops both complement your space and meet practical needs. Keep style goals, lighting, cabinetry, flooring and budget in mind when selecting colors and materials. Test out samples and compare durability. Invest in quality counters that work with your lifestyle.
Take your time deciding - you'll live with new counters for years! Choose durable, low-maintenance materials in hues that enhance your overall kitchen design. With careful selection, your counters can not only match beautifully, but elevate your kitchen to a whole new level of style.