As practice shows, the question of how to choose a kitchen countertop by color arises for almost everyone who makes renovations on their own or chooses furniture without the participation of a professional designer. This interior detail can completely transform the appearance of the room, making it lighter and more harmonious.
Stone countertop for kitchen
Dark or light countertop in the kitchen: which is better?
When choosing the color of a kitchen countertop, it is important to take into account its compatibility with other elements (a nearby window, household appliances, sink, stove). The palette offered by manufacturers is largely determined by the material of manufacture.
If for products made from MDF the choice of colors in light and dark shades is practically unlimited, analogues made from artificial or natural stone are presented in a smaller assortment.
When choosing, special attention should be paid to the service life and technical characteristics of the product (resistance to high temperatures, shocks, wear, mechanical damage).
Which countertop color is more practical?
When choosing a kitchen countertop color, the practicality of the option chosen is critical. The priority is beige, white, gray (and you can choose any of the presented shades). Also a recognized favorite are products whose surface imitates the texture of stone chips. It is on them that minor scratches, damage, streaks from dried water, and dust will not be noticeable.
Practical textures with stone chips
Apron materials
The choice of material for covering the kitchen working wall depends on many parameters, including? durability, interior style and budget.
- The most common option is still the classic version - ceramic tiles. It can be seen both in noble, expensive interiors and in simpler - rustic projects. It is harmonious in mosaics and large panels with various patterns. But there is one difficulty with such a coating - it is not so easy to replace it, because it is laid on a solution.
- Glass apron, which is called skinali, ? a modern and functional solution, it can be of any style and size. The colors of this coating are also varied: there can be one shade, a photo, or just a drawing. You can choose the best option for any interior: monochromatic solutions are always relevant, subject photos are applicable in minimalist modern design trends, graphic sketches are organic in classic interiors, imitation brickwork is in retro styles.
- Wood boards as an apron are not the most functional, but quite common solution. They are covered with a layer of plastic, although they remain less practical than glass and ceramics. Usually they choose MDF or chipboard to match the color of the dining table or other furniture. Replacing such a panel is quite simple, as is installing it yourself.
- Recently, plastic has been increasingly used to cover the working wall. The most applicable is polycarbonate - a universal material with fairly high resistance to temperature changes, moisture and mechanical damage. A harmonious combination of such a coating with the interior can only be found in modern design styles - high-tech, functionalism, industrialism.
- An artificial stone apron is a rather expensive solution that requires a competent approach to installation, although the material is not as fragile as a natural mineral. The considerable weight of such a coating can lead to premature replacement of the apron. But this is a rather elegant option that can be chosen in combination with a similar tabletop. A dining table made of similar material would also be organic. A sink made of the same stone will make the composition complete, as in the next photo.
- A metal apron is another extraordinary option for covering the kitchen work wall area. Of course, an interesting apron design is used here: a sheet of metal can imitate brickwork, mosaic and other relief. A noble solution is to replace the usual apron with a copper or bronze one.
Possible tabletop colors
Their color does not affect the technical characteristics of the countertops in any way, but in general it is of decisive importance for the interior of the kitchen. The choice of the optimal color should be made based on the following melts:
- bright colored furniture looks most harmonious with light-colored materials;
- light facades go well with dark work surfaces;
- It is always important to make it from a material that matches the tone and texture of the floor covering in the room;
- the product can be the same tone as the wall near the work area (it is also called an “apron”) or made of a contrasting material.
In order for the kitchen design to meet your expectations, you should decide in advance on the choice of each of the key interior details. In this case, it is desirable that the tabletop matches the material and color with at least one (and preferably two or three) elements.
Colors and patterns of natural and artificial stone countertops
Drawings of marble countertops
The main argument in favor of choosing a stone countertop is its durability, ability to maintain its appearance throughout the entire period of use, and excellent mechanical characteristics. You can choose natural or artificial material for manufacturing. Modern technologies make it possible to achieve almost complete color and pattern matching.
The palette of available shades is determined by the mineral components that make up the stone and the characteristics of the selected rock. The following options are available:
- granite (scarlet, black, pink, gray, shades of beige and coffee);
- marble (on a white background there are veins of green, red, gray, chestnut);
- onyx (shades of brown, yellow, patterned beige, black or white);
- opal (bright or muted shades of blue, pink, gold, scarlet, milky, black, texture can be stone or wood);
- malachite (shades of green from turquoise to black with a transition between colors).
Color variety of MDF and laminated chipboard
Color palette of MDF and laminated chipboard
The technology for manufacturing furniture from MDF and laminated chipboard involves the use of PVC film. This allows manufacturers to offer a huge range of color solutions, many of which are not available when choosing a stone (for example, you can buy an eggplant, bright yellow, light green, blue, orange countertop).
At the same time, both monochrome materials and products with patterns imitating metal, fabric, wood, and stone surfaces are produced. Branched, metallized, patinated products, as well as those decorated with three-dimensional designs and embossing, have an interesting effect.
Wood textures
Wood textures
The main species used in this area of furniture production are oak, ash, and walnut. Birch, iroko, and wenge are less commonly used.
Materials may differ in tone, fiber pattern, degree of knotiness, and width of the beams. The photos in the manufacturers' catalogs show countertops in a wide range of colors from almost black to white with gray streaks.
The selected wood texture can become a bright accent detail in the interior. Especially if the material of the kitchen countertop and apron is the same color and texture and looks like a solid structure.
Wood textures
This is an elegant and relatively inexpensive option for kitchen countertops.
Color solutions in this case are limited to literally several types of wood - walnut, ash, oak, iroko. They may differ in tones, textures, “knotiness,” and the width of the wood beams or solid wood.
Such countertops can be found in Scandinavian-style kitchens.
Dark wood surfaces look good with light furniture. Once again you can see that the rule of choosing the color of the tabletop to contrast with the color of the set is a very interesting solution.
Remember that wood requires constant care and careful treatment.
In any case, when choosing the color of a kitchen countertop, it is highly advisable to see how it looks in person (in a salon or with friends, if we are talking about a recommendation from them).
This will help you look at the big picture and choose not just a beautiful countertop, but also one that is practical and suitable for your kitchen set and interior.
What can the color of the kitchen countertop be combined with?
When developing a design, a win-win solution is to combine the color of the tabletop with one or more key elements (apron, facade, window sill, floor covering, dining group). These are the main guidelines, the features of each of which should be given special attention.
Less often, the shade of the working surface is selected in accordance with the color of textiles and wall decoration. Moreover, this principle works in both directions.
For example, when choosing a cream-colored kitchen with a dark countertop, you can support this decision by purchasing a laminate that matches the shade (you can limit yourself to just baseboards), furniture, appliances, and splashback finishing elements.
Combination of tabletop shade with apron
Facades set
Depending on the design of the furniture, the facade of wall cabinets and floor cabinets can be the same or contrasting in color. This fact must be taken into account when choosing a countertop.
In addition, you should initially decide on the list of interior elements with which the product will be combined. Based on this, you can select good options for a façade that differs in tone from the working surface, matching the shade of individual furniture parts. Contrasting combinations also look impressive.
Apron
The color palette available when choosing an apron is virtually unlimited. Depending on the material of manufacture, you can purchase a product made of plastic, glass, or use ceramic tiles, artificial or natural stone, or porcelain stoneware to decorate this area. Often the work surface and the wall next to it are finished with the same texture, but in different shades.
When choosing a countertop and apron for the kitchen, the color combination can also be contrasting. This technique is especially in demand in a minimalist interior when using a neutral palette of shades. To form a structure that is integral in appearance, you can use one material.
Contrasting apron in the kitchen interior
Flooring
If the countertop is made in light or neutral colors, a win-win option is to choose a material for finishing the floor that will match in texture and color. The façade should be made bright and colorful.
The dark working surface of the table can contrast with the floor covering. In this case, it is better to use material of the same texture.
Lunch group
For the dining group and work surface, the set often chooses tabletops made of the same material. This technique helps make the kitchen interior look seamless, regardless of the features of the room. Such surfaces are practical and compatible with each other.
As a result, a large interior element will be formed, so you should not simultaneously use large-sized parts that match in color in the design.
Windowsill
The tabletop can be made of the same material as the window sill (or a different color from it). This technique is especially often used when the kitchen set is installed next to a window.
In contrast
A kitchen that uses contrasting color combinations looks especially impressive. At the same time, the question of how to choose the color of the countertops to match the kitchen set arises quite often. It can contrast with the apron, the facade or its individual elements, or the furniture in the room.
Color wheel for determining contrasting shades
Trend #2. “Which surface to choose: polished or textured?”
Polished countertop surface
As we see a design trend towards using more textured and tactile surfaces on furniture, flooring and other home features, this is extending to countertops.
Honed and leather-effect surfaces are the most common in modern designs, and can be used in a variety of materials: granite, marble and quartz. Despite the great popularity of polished surfaces, these two options have recently given them serious competition.
For those who don't know, a honed surface is a matte finish with no shine. The general appearance of such a countertop will depend on the type of stone, but, in any case, there will be no shine on its surface, and it will be almost completely smooth. A honed finish pairs well with marble as the lack of shine makes it easier to hide any imperfections or scratches.
Leather finishing is a new style of surface treatment for countertop material that has become popular in recent years. The surface of such a product has a soft shine, less glossy than that of polished tiles, and it has a completely different feel. The leather finish preserves the natural color of the stone, giving it a more sophisticated look than a honed countertop. Leather-trimmed countertops are also resistant to fingerprints and water stains. For these qualities, this product is especially appreciated by homeowners.
We have examined only two options for finishing the countertop, but they are the most popular in the last few years.
How to choose the right countertop color for different kitchen colors
When choosing materials, you must initially take into account the difference in textures and available shades. If monochromatic interior elements are selected, it is quite difficult to achieve a 100% match when using different materials.
White, beige, cream, black and other neutral colors
If the question arises about which countertop to choose for a beige kitchen or a set of other neutral shades, you should initially decide on a list of interior details that contrast in color.
This could be a countertop. Then you should pay attention to black, red, terracotta products, any shades of wood and stone. If contrasting colors are chosen for other elements, you can make the work surface several shades darker than the facade. Any work surface is suitable for a black kitchen.
Bright countertop in the kitchen with white furniture
Countertops for colored kitchens
Sets with bright facades are very popular. Experts recommend choosing neutral work surfaces for them. Gray light or dark, white in warm or cool shades, beige, cream are suitable.
A colored kitchen with a black countertop will look impressive.
Work surface for a two-tone kitchen
When choosing a kitchen set, the combination of colors of facades and countertops largely determines the design of the entire room. For two-color furniture, a work surface that matches the tone of one of its elements is ideal. The introduction of additional bright colors in such a situation is most often not welcome. Only neutral colors can be used.
Choosing a countertop for a two-tone kitchen
The main mistakes when choosing the color of a countertop
Experts identify several mistakes that are most often made when independently developing a kitchen design:
- A large number of rich shades. Elements of bright colors make the room more cheerful and cozy, but you should not overuse them. A neutral countertop is better suited to this facade and vice versa.
- Impractical work surfaces. Black gloss looks impressive until stains, dust, smudges, and fingerprints are visible on it. It is much easier to care for a surface of the same color, but made of stone interspersed with other colors.
- The tabletop does not match other interior elements. In this case, it looks like a foreign addition, destroying the integrity of the room's design.
If almost no one has a question about what color of countertop to choose for a white kitchen, then the more complex compositions in this regard should be given special attention. You can find a balance quite easily if you initially develop a general concept for the entire room, and not its separate zone. All you need is knowledge of the basic principles of interior design and the formation of color compositions.
