Selecting the color combination of a kitchen countertop and furniture is one of the finishing touches when renovating a kitchen. Despite the apparent simplicity, in practice the choice can result in long hours of comparisons and reflections due to the huge range of building materials and furniture that currently exists in Russia.
In order to make your renovation process easier, we have collected all the information about the widest range of colors, ways to combine them, advantages and disadvantages.
General principles for choosing colors
Before you start choosing a color, pay special attention to the material from which the countertop is made. There is no need to save money: the cheapest price segment is represented by countertops made of chipboards of different densities with a plastic coating.
Such furniture will cause more problems than benefits - it is not resistant to fire or moisture, and is also quite harmful from an environmental point of view. On top of that, the service life of such countertops often does not exceed a couple of years.
There is also no point in overpaying: natural stone in the manufacture of countertops is more for luxury than for practicality. Therefore, the best choice is furniture from the middle segment (tiled or stainless steel).
Tile cladding, moreover, offers a large selection of colors that can satisfy the most demanding consumer.
To ensure that the process of selecting the color of the countertop does not cause unnecessary difficulties, adhere to the following rules:
- It is better to decide in advance on the color scheme of the future kitchen; this will greatly facilitate the process of combining furniture and countertops.
- The texture is of great importance: it should match or go well with the facade of the kitchen unit and the apron.
- Don’t be afraid of bold decisions, but remember: the kitchen is one of the most “visited” rooms in the apartment, so excessive brightness can get boring very soon.
We’ve decided on the basis for color selection, let’s move on to specific tones and the possibilities of their use in the kitchen.
Chipboard work surface
A kitchen countertop made of laminated chipboard is one of the most popular options today. A melamine (plastic) protective coating is applied to the chipboard. The greater the thickness of such a slab, the higher its cost will be. The fullness size varies from 20 mm to 80 mm. The reliability of such a tabletop directly depends on the thickness of the melamine layer.
The thickest layer can be found from European manufacturers (80 mm). Melamine tolerates high temperatures well, does not absorb foreign odors, and this coating can be cleaned with any household chemicals. This working surface is moisture-resistant and impact-resistant. Installation and installation of such a coating is possible with your own hands.
However, such countertops have a short service life. When caring for such a surface, you must adhere to some rules:
- Stains should be removed immediately using a soft, slightly damp cloth.
- Clean matte surfaces only with liquid cleaner.
- Removal of fat using solvents of natural origin only.
- Do not allow moisture to get into the seams.
- Protect the coating from mechanical damage.
Kitchen with black countertop
A black countertop is an indicator of the refined taste of the kitchen owners. Most often it is used in classic interiors, as it implies a claim to luxury or elegance.
In this case, it is best to combine a black countertop with light shades of the kitchen set: beige, white, light brown and other similar tones will perfectly complement it.
For those who prefer brighter colors, a black tabletop can also come in handy - the best “neighbor” would be a red set.
The undoubted advantage of such a countertop is its versatility - black can be combined with almost any color. Natural stones in black have no equal in terms of aesthetics and style.
However, when choosing this option, you need to be prepared for difficulties: any imperfections in the form of dust and stains are very visible on the black color, so this countertop requires special care.
In addition, you will need to be extremely careful: it is impossible to hide scratches and other damage on such a surface.
How to care for your kitchen set
Each material has its own care rules. But we can identify a number of general requirements for caring for a kitchen set.
Proper care of your countertop will increase its service life.
- Rule #1. Proper care begins with proper installation. It is not recommended to place radiators nearby.
- Rule #2. Direct sunlight causes the color of furniture to fade quickly. This is especially true for wood.
- Rule #3. For cleaning, only soft products without abrasive particles are used. It is better to use rags made of flannel, cloth or microfiber.
- Rule #4. The use of hard, iron brushes is not recommended, especially for glossy surfaces.
The most popular and controversial color is white for the work surface.
After a detailed description of the general rules on how to choose the color of the countertop and apron in the kitchen, anyone can cope with this task. This does not require any special training or knowledge. It is enough just to take into account some recommendations.
White countertop
The recognized leader in Russian kitchens is white countertops. Of course, the reason for this is their ideal compatibility with any kitchen furniture and overall interior design, as well as a huge assortment of white countertops with a wide variety of textures and additions (who said that the countertop should be plain?).
A white countertop can be combined with a set of any colors: with black, beige, brown and other calm tones it will create a classic style, with bright red, blue or yellow - a modern one.
Some people combine a white countertop with a white set, but this option will not look stylish if the furniture does not have an interesting or unusual texture. The disadvantages of such a tabletop also include the difficulties in care described above.
Advice! There is a high probability of the shade of white color changing over time, so before purchasing, you need to think about whether such a countertop is worth the money and effort.
Beige
Beige has many shades, each of which will help create a particular atmosphere in the kitchen. A beige countertop combined with dark natural shades will create a special warm atmosphere in the kitchen. In general, a kitchen in similar colors is ideal for measured and calm people who value style and comfort.
Among designers, the combination of a beige countertop and a brown kitchen set has become the most popular, and both colors can have a variety of shades, which creates extremely wide possibilities for selecting colors that are closest to your idea of an ideal interior.
A combination of beige and discreet red shades also looks good, which will be both unusual and stylish. Depending on what tones (warm, cold) are present in the shade of beige, you can combine it with absolutely any color.
Original decor ideas
Tabletops purchased, made to order or with your own hands can be decorated in the most unusual and interesting ways:
- Stencil painting. Today, in art stores you can find a wide variety of stencils made of PVC, cardboard, and silicone for decorating facades, walls and tabletops. Acrylic paints and clear varnish are used as decorative materials.
- The use of PVC films, the pattern of which imitates various coatings: stone, brickwork, wood.
They also use beautiful veneer covering the countertops, which pleases the eye with a pleasant natural shade and extraordinary texture.
A very interesting model of a tabletop, which is restored by craftsmen using epoxy resin, pigment dyes and a number of additional accessories. Using a similar technique, you can decorate a tabletop on almost any theme.
Kitchen with brown countertop
The possibilities for using a brown countertop in the kitchen are almost the same as the options for using a black countertop described above. The most successful combinations are a beige or white set and a brown countertop.
As mentioned above, brown, like beige, has a huge variety of shades, on which the overall perception of the kitchen interior depends. The undoubted advantages of such a countertop are its “unpretentiousness”: unlike black or white, brown does not require such careful care and attention, and the likelihood of color changing over time in this case is minimal.
Wenge color tabletop
Recently, the color wenge has become especially popular and loved among designers, and there are several reasons for this: firstly, this color, which is one of the shades of brown, creates a feeling of coziness, warmth and naturalness of the interior; secondly, wenge color can be combined with almost any other.
Not all shades of brown can boast such versatility. The deep and rich natural color of wenge looks best in classic kitchens, but will also be a good addition to high-tech or minimalist styles.
Beige, shades of red, yellow, olive, dark blue - all these are excellent companions for wenge. Coupled with the lack of need for careful maintenance, this compatibility makes wenge one of the best options for the kitchen.
Green color
If the colors listed above were classified as well-combined, then a green tabletop cannot boast of such a property: even the calmest shades of green in combination with other bright colors will destroy any hint of harmony in the interior.
If you decide to opt for a green countertop, it is better if the set is the same or very similar shade.
Another option is a combination of olive, emerald or other green that is close to natural with a beige or brown kitchen.
Some lovers of bright experiments also combine rich green with black or white. These are most likely one of the only successful combinations for a green countertop.
Red
Red is most often present in the kitchen as the color of the furniture, rather than the countertop. If you decide to go with a red countertop, it is better to make it an accent, which is accompanied by a white or beige set and apron.
To maintain it, you can add small details - such as red curtains. Sometimes a red countertop is also combined with a kitchen set in dark shades, but in this case the room runs the risk of being too heavy and cluttered, which is not good for the kitchen.
Advice! Red and green are best used as additional interior details, while the countertop is one of the fundamental elements of the kitchen, for which these shades are not the best suited.
Layout
Each layout scheme has its own design techniques and rules for space distribution.
With bar counter
The bar counter can continue the desktop, occupy one side of the peninsula, or retire by the window. The last option is especially successful if there is a pleasant view. In tight spaces, the stand can be made folding. Under it you can place shelves or a refrigerator for drinks.
Kitchen-living room
The kitchen-living room has a dining and work area. The division can be purely visual, using a peninsula, in color, in different textures of the floor covering.
A large room can be made more compact by combining contrasting colors (black-pink) or highlighted zonally using similar combinations (bright pink with gray, pink with blue).
With an island
An island is an advantage of a kitchen with a large area. Sometimes it looks heavy, but integrating open shelves fully or partially optimizes the appearance. The island can be decorated in a bright dark pink color or combined in one tone with the bottom row of the set.
U-shaped
The U-shaped arrangement of the furniture does not allow for a dining area, but there is enough space to place kitchen utensils. If one side is made in the form of a peninsula, it can be used as a table.
The somewhat bulky look of the kitchen can be alleviated by making the top row of cabinets lighter or with transparent doors, demarcating areas with a contrasting apron, and dividing the sides with color.
Corner
The corner arrangement of the furniture is ideal from an ergonomic point of view. You have to move less when cooking. In a studio apartment, the kitchen area can be highlighted with color and limited by a bar counter.
A monochromatic kitchen is expressionless. The color scheme of the headset may include 2-3 colors - pink top, gray bottom or beige top, deep pink bottom row.
Small kitchen
- to move the walls apart, use a light tone; a white kitchen with pale pink walls looks spacious and fresh;
- in a room facing north, only warm colors are applicable;
- photo wallpapers, drawings or painting a couple of shades darker will visually move the wall away;
- The technique will also work when highlighting the backsplash with tiles or panels for the kitchen in the color of Persian rose or magenta;
- a pink ceiling is acceptable in a light version, for example, pink top and gray bottom;
- The headset and curtains with sparkles will add shine to the light;
- any decor in a small area will be superfluous.
Pink
Pink, unlike red or green, has a large number of noble shades, which makes it easier to combine with other colors. The combination of pink and gray is widespread and will perfectly complement each other in the kitchen.
In addition, delicate pink will create a wonderful combination with creamy beige - however, such a kitchen is more suitable for girls. It is popular to use pink marble countertops, which will be a good companion for a set of beige-brown shades.
What curtains are suitable?
White, cream, beige, gray or milky curtains will help soften and highlight pink shades. Thread curtains or curtains made from fabrics such as taffeta, tulle or organza will add real airy lightness to the atmosphere.
An excellent solution would be a combination of a pinkish palette with soft yellow curtains. This way the room will be filled with warmth and sunlight.
The design of a pink kitchen with curtains in black, wine, burgundy, raspberry or dark cherry color looks amazing. In order to enliven the space, you can use canvases with prints. Small patterns will add a casual look to the room, while larger patterns will give it rigor and solidity.
The photo shows the interior of a white and pink kitchen with thread curtains on the window.
Gray
A gray countertop is one of the most versatile options. The middle shade between black and white can be equally successfully combined with almost all tones: red, pink, blue, olive, blue - the list goes on and on.
If you have firmly decided on a set, but cannot find a suitable tabletop, pay attention to gray - the richness of shades and ease of care are the undeniable advantages of this color over its “competitors”.
Yellow
The yellow tabletop is one of the most demanding ones, which are not so easy to combine successfully. The most common variations are yellow-white and yellow-black, and the rules here are much the same as those mentioned when considering red.
If you want your kitchen to be a bright spot, you can dare to combine yellow with red, green or blue, but be very careful in choosing shades.
Many designers believe that light yellow shades are ideal not for countertops, but for wallpaper in the kitchen: it is known that yellow is the best for promoting appetite, so it is indispensable for the kitchen.
Having considered the various design options for the tabletop, let’s summarize: light (white, beige, gray) and dark (brown, black) shades are best suited for this role.
But bright pink, red, yellow and green require great caution: incorrectly selected shades can negate any, even the most interesting, designer’s idea.
Peculiarities of color perception
Light shades of pink tones make a pleasant impression. Moderate colors refresh, evoke a feeling of tenderness, and set the mood for relaxation and romance. These shades are confidently used as the dominant background. It is possible that there are delicate inclusions playing secondary roles.
Use options such as fuchsia with caution. Bright pink shades, which have gained the right to quickly dominate, risk causing rejection. The interior also looks intrusive and tasteless.
Few people will like a design in the spirit of a Barbie room. Intense tones are only suitable for highlighting accents. They should not occupy more than 30% of the room's area.
