A new countertop is one of the most effective upgrades you can make to a kitchen. It changes how the room looks and how well it works, so it is worth choosing carefully.
When picking a kitchen countertop, look for one that suits your kitchen from both an aesthetic and a functional perspective. Before getting to color, it helps to decide on the material.
The first option is a synthetic countertop: a man-made surface such as laminate or solid surface. These generally cost less than other types of countertops, but they are usually less durable.
The other main option is a stone countertop. These are made from natural stone such as soapstone, granite and marble, or from engineered stone such as quartz. Stone costs more, but it generally outperforms synthetic materials in durability and appearance.
Of the two, we suggest stone countertops for most kitchens. Although they are more expensive, they hold up well and keep their looks for a long time. That brings us to the next question: what color of countertop should you get?
Countertops come in many colors, and picking one that fits your home can be tough. Color is not only an aesthetic choice; it is a practical one too, as you’ll see below. Before looking at specific colors, here are a few reasons to choose carefully.
Why Picking a Countertop Color Matters
Countertop color matters for several reasons. For one, countertops are among the largest surfaces in the kitchen, so they need to blend well with the rest of the room. A green countertop in a kitchen built around red, for example, is unlikely to look right. It’s your home, after all, so your design choices should work together.
You don’t need an interior designer to pick a countertop color, but if you have access to one, their advice is worth having. A kitchen whose surfaces, cabinets and finishes have been chosen to work together simply looks better.
Another reason is that some countertop colors are easier to maintain than others. Black countertops, for instance, are more forgiving than white ones: if they do stain, the discoloration is much harder to notice, whereas on a white countertop every mark stands out.
If you don’t expect to have much time for countertop upkeep, consider darker colors. They are easier to live with and suit homeowners who can’t clean their countertops as regularly. Now, let’s talk about some of the best countertop colors you can choose.
Shades of White
A pure white countertop is easy on the eyes, but as noted above, it shows stains and discoloration more readily over time. A pure white countertop may look beautiful now, but without proper care and maintenance it can lose its appeal.
Instead of pure white, consider a slightly deeper shade such as off-white. It gives you the classic clean look of a white countertop while being more forgiving of stains and discoloration, which is why it has become a popular choice.
Others prefer a light grey, which also looks clean and crisp without being so bright that maintenance becomes difficult. Choose pure white or eggshell white only if you are confident that you can keep up with the care your countertop needs over the years.
Shades of Black
Black countertops are a popular choice. They are neutral and easy to match with kitchen color schemes, whether dark or light, and many styles of veining work well against a black surface.
Black countertops were once less common because people assumed they would look too heavy in a kitchen. In reality, there are many ways to make black work, and it has become a common choice, especially in modern homes.
Both off-black and pure black suit a minimalist kitchen, and they also work if you want a modern, luxurious look. But appearance is not the biggest benefit of black countertops.
In our opinion, the biggest benefit is how forgiving they are. Stains tend to be far less visible on a black surface, though polished black can show dust, fingerprints and fine scratches in certain light. Overall, the color suits busy households and homeowners who don’t have much time for countertop upkeep.
Other Shades Worth Considering
In the past, most homeowners chose either black or white countertops; today, people are more adventurous. They choose all sorts of countertop colors to go with their kitchens, and the possibilities are nearly limitless. It is worth being just as open-minded.
Dark shades of grey and blue are common favorites. They may look close to black, but the subtle difference adds depth to a kitchen. Navy blue in particular contrasts well with both dark and white kitchens.
The range of countertop colors is wider than ever, including reds, greens, pinks and many other natural tones. The choice is entirely yours, but it is worth exploring all the options, as you never know what might catch your eye.
Consider the Veining
Another factor to consider is the veining: the streaks of contrasting color that run across a countertop. Which veining color works best depends on the color of the countertop itself.
On dark countertops, white veining works well, and gold is a favorite of ours. Gold makes the veining stand out and gives the whole countertop a more luxurious look. Grey is another good veining color for dark countertops because it complements the base color.
On lighter countertops, black and blue veins look good, and so does grey. The contrast between a white surface and darker veining can make a kitchen stand out and gives the countertop a unique touch.
Keep in mind that with natural stone countertops, the veining isn’t entirely up to you. It is a natural feature of the stone, so you can’t always get exactly the pattern you have in mind. If you are looking for a solid color, you can choose slabs with minimal veining.
In the end, the countertop color you pick is completely up to you, but there are practical considerations to weigh along with the look. A countertop is going to be with you for a long time, so take the time you need to choose a color you are truly satisfied with.