Kitchen countertops, while being central to your kitchen, have a significant impact on your home’s value. If you seek to make your kitchen a more beautiful space and add more value to your home’s equity, you have to be careful about what countertop material you choose.
Granite, a natural stone, is one of the most popular material choices for kitchen and bathroom countertops. It is highly durable, is easy to maintain, and is stunningly beautiful. Every piece of granite is unique.
Even with all these benefits, it can be a challenge to select the right color and pattern of granite countertop for your home. The reason is that granite is available in many colors and patterns. As mentioned above, every slab of granite is a unique piece in itself. When it comes to granite colors, you have so many options to choose from. This includes different shades of black, white, brown red, and blue among others.
So, what to look for when picking out granite countertops?
Existing Theme, Colors, Elements, & Dimensions
You should consider your current countertops, cabinets, tiles, and backsplash. It is mostly recommended to pick a granite that helps retain the look and feel of the existing space. But you can always choose something that has a contrasting effect.
It is up to you what type of effects you want to create, such as:
- Choosing something either lighter or darker than the current scheme
- Creating a more contrasting effect
- Retaining the same effects of your current countertops that you intend to replace
It is also important to get the dimensions.
Matching the Cabinets
If you want to retain your cabinets, it is a good idea to choose a countertop that matches them. You have two options in this regard – matching the color or pairing the veining.
It is recommended to follow these tips when choosing the right granite as compared to your cabinetry:
- White, grey, or beige granite for neutral medium-brown maple cabinets
- Green granite for dark brown cabinets
- Black pearl or dark-colored granite for medium to light oak cabinets
- White, earth tone, or green granite for cherry cabinets
- Neutral or gold granite for very dark-colored cabinets
Granite Patterns
Granite is available in three common patterns:
- Speckled
- Solid
- Marbled
The speckled pattern is widely popular and is available in different forms of colors and textures. You should consider choosing it if you like to make a strong statement.
There are fewer choices in terms of solid patterns. They are more suited for smaller-sized kitchens. On the other hand, marbled pattern provides a seamless transition between color and texture.
Black, White, or Red Granite
Black, white, and red granites are widely popular. The following tips should help you pick the right one for your kitchen.
Black Granite:
- Consider black granite when you have a neutral kitchen scheme
- Black granite tends to have a good volume of silver or white specks that reflects light, making them more suited for well-lit or large kitchens
Black granite can still be used for smaller kitchens if you have white cabinets.
White Granite:
Purely white granite is a rarity. It works perfectly with sleek and glossy appliances and provides your kitchen with a modern feel. White granite is a highly versatile countertop option, as it can work with almost all kitchen themes. This means it can also work with old appliances.
Red Granite:
You should consider red granite only if you want to make a bold statement in your kitchen. Having neutral-colored cabinets can help make the effect subtler. Red granite is typically available in many shades and mixed with other colors. You can consider these variations to mix and match with your kitchen elements.
Granite is exceptionally sturdy and when sealed properly and timely, it is easy to clean. There are so many options to choose from that you can always find something that is unique and perfectly matches your kitchen’s décor and personal preferences.
