How to Pick a Countertop Color That Matches Your Cabinet Style
The process of selecting new countertops for a kitchen renovation is one of the most exciting phases. Although what type of material is selected is very important, equally essential is the color used for the countertop, as it will largely determine how your space looks. The correct countertop color can also enhance the look of a kitchen’s cabinet, add visual balance to the cabinet’s color and style, and help unify the overall kitchen design.
When there are many different colors in granite, quartz, or quartzite available to choose from, picking out one that is ideal can be difficult. By understanding how cabinet styles and colors coordinate with the many different colors of countertops, customers will be able to buy their selected countertop color with confidence.
Start with Your Cabinet Color and Style
The type of cabinetry in your kitchen will typically have the most influence on how your kitchen looks, as it serves as the backbone of your overall kitchen style. Before determining your countertop color, you should focus on how the cabinetry style, finish, and color will match up to the style, finish, and color of your countertop.
Many times, traditional wood cabinets pair well with natural stone countertops with warm undertones and little to no movement in their color or texture. Contemporary kitchens tend to use more linear modern cabinetry, which looks good with modern lines and limited color visualization on the countertops. It is important that you create a visual relationship between your cabinetry and countertop, even if they are painted white, stained wood, navy blue, gray, or black.
However, the most important consideration is to create harmony between the cabinetry and countertop by allowing each element to play its part within the overall kitchen design.
Pairing Countertops with White Cabinets
The main reason why so many people still choose white cabinets when designing their kitchens is because of their timeless design, versatility in decorating, and bright presentation. A great thing about white cabinets is that they go with many different colors of countertops successfully.
If you are looking for a timeless and elegant look for your kitchen, then dark countertops like black granite or deep grey quartz would be good choices. The contrast between the countertops and white cabinetry provides a level of visual interest, making the overall feeling of the kitchen feel more sophisticated. If you are looking for a bright, airy feel for your kitchen, then using white or light grey quartz countertops will offer a sleek and contemporary edge to the entire kitchen design.
In addition to dark- or light-grey-colored countertops, natural stones with soft veining also add a sense of texture and unique character to the overall look of your kitchen while still maintaining the clean and simple appearance associated with white cabinetry.
Choosing Countertops for Dark Cabinets
Dark cabinets can provide an elegant and striking appearance if the countertops are appropriately selected. As dark cabinets can make the space feel heavy, choosing light-colored countertops will create balance and contrast. Using white quartz, cream granite, and light quartzite for the countertops will reflect natural light and help to brighten up the room. The combination of dark cabinets and light countertops will create a nice visual contrast between the two elements.
If a homeowner desires to achieve a bold, affluent, luxe design, they may select dark countertops for their dark cabinets while ensuring the correct lighting scheme and contrasting materials for the backsplashes.
Matching Countertops with Wood Cabinets
Wood cabinetry provides a warm, inviting, and attractive touch to your kitchen. It is essential to consider what kind of countertops to use with wood cabinetry. When choosing a countertop material for your wood cabinets, pay very close attention to the underlying tones of the wood.
If your wood cabinetry has warm undertones (like oak, cherry, or maple), you may choose from an array of beige, gold, cream, or brown-based counter surfaces. On the other side of this equation is cool-toned wood cabinetry (i.e., some gray-stained finishes), which will yield great results when used with white, gray, or charcoal-based countertop surfaces.
Natural stone surfaces (like granite & quartzite) have become quite popular with wood cabinetry because their natural patterning closely mirrors the naturally occurring grain and texture of the wood cabinet products.
Consider the Overall Kitchen Color Palette
The countertop you choose should not only match the cabinetry but also fit into the overall kitchen design. The flooring, backsplash (wall covering behind the countertop), wall color, appliances, and lights all play a part in the overall appearance of your kitchen.
Matching colors from one piece of your kitchen to another will help achieve a more seamless and professional look. If your kitchen has a lot of bold colors and/or patterns, a plain countertop can be a great way to bring everything together. Similarly, if your kitchen contains predominantly neutrals, then an interesting countertop with bold color variation or interesting veining can provide you with the perfect multiple, eye-catching focal point.
Seeing all of these elements together can help determine how well your last selection will work with the overall space.
Think About Contrast Versus Continuity
Selecting high- or low-contrast cabinet and countertop combinations is one of the most crucial design decisions. Use high-contrast pairings, like black countertops with white cabinets, to produce dramatic visual effects and create strong design statements. These pairings are typically used in modern, transitional, and contemporary kitchens.
Choose low-contrast pairings, like light gray countertops with white cabinets, to achieve a softer, more blended look. Low-contrast pairings make small spaces appear larger and more open than their size would suggest. Choosing between a high-contrast versus a low-contrast combination is a personal preference and depends on what kind of environment you want your kitchen to create.
View Full Slabs Before Making a Final Decision
Selecting high- or low-contrast cabinet and countertop combinations is one of the most crucial design decisions. Use high-contrast pairings, like black countertops with white cabinets, to produce dramatic visual effects and create strong design statements. These pairings are typically used in modern, transitional, and contemporary kitchens.
Choose low-contrast pairings, like light gray countertops with white cabinets, to achieve a softer, more blended look. Low-contrast pairings make small spaces appear larger and more open than their size would suggest. Choosing between a high-contrast versus a low-contrast combination is a personal preference and depends on what kind of environment you want your kitchen to create.
Trust Professional Design Guidance
A good countertop color is one that you prefer and that will work well with your style and design principles as well as complement your cabinetry (or style). Good countertop professionals will help provide valuable insight based on the cabinetry you’ve chosen, the layout of your kitchen, the light sources, and your design plans and then narrow down the options for you to ultimately select what is most complementary for you and your family.
Conclusion
Choosing an optimal color for your countertop enhances not only the style of your cabinets but also creates visual balance between your cabinet style and your countertop color and makes your kitchen appear visually enhanced. By considering the color of your cabinets, wood tone, overall color palette, and the desired amount of contrast between surfaces when making your selections, you will have a great deal of confidence that your selected surface will be able to bring to life your vision.
Regardless of whether you are designing a classic or contemporary kitchen, choosing the appropriate color for your new countertops will provide you with a cohesive, elegant, and pleasurable overall result that you will appreciate for many years.
FAQs
How Do I Pick A Countertop Color With My White Cabinets?
White cabinets are very versatile and can work without issue for both dark and light color choices with your countertop. Dark surfaces with lighter cabinets will provide a very nice contrast, while lighter surfaces provide a very light and airy look to the area. Also consider the style of your kitchen and the amount of natural light that will be available to you when making your final selection.
Should Countertops Be Lighter Or Darker Than Cabinets?
There aren’t any set rules regarding the selection of light versus dark countertops; either choice can create a beautiful result. A lighter countertop can bring some added light to your dark cabinets, while a dark countertop creates a contrast with the light cabinetry. The final decision is based upon your design needs and personal taste.
What Are Good Countertop Colors For Natural Wood Cabinets?
Generally, natural wood cabinets look great with warm-toned countertop colors, which would include colors like beige, cream, brown, and gold. Also, using quartzite or granite that has organic patterns and colors will complement the beauty and texture of your natural wood cabinetry.
Do I Need To View A Full Slab Before Buying?
The answer to this question is yes, you should view the full slab if you’re looking for that natural stone countertop. The reason is because natural stone products come in several different colors, veining, and patterns. It is beneficial for you to see the complete slab so you can determine what it will look like once it is installed.
Will Countertop Color Determine How Big My Kitchen Will Look?
Visit Kowalski Granite & Quartz today.
Kowalski Granite & Quartz provides an exceptional assortment of granite, quartz, and other solid surface counters. Our extensive collections of counters includes 200 full slabs with 80+ different styles. Our countertop collection includes granite, quartz, quartzite, and eco-friendly recycled material. Seeing the entire slab of your counter in person makes it much easier to select a complementary color to your kitchen cabinetry and design.
Visit our showroom today—no appointment required. The Kowalski team will be happy to assist you with your new counter project!