The question of why you want granite worktops isn’t a hard one. Granite worktops are not only gorgeous but also unique, affordable, and, most importantly, sturdy and durable. Not to mention, they offer a fantastic return on investment. But how to pick the best granite for your kitchen worktops?
Now that question might be a bit more complicated. Installing granite, quartz, or marble worktops will surely give your old kitchen a new shine. Natural stone that results in a high gloss kitchen look will surely be more stunning and appealing than those laminate kitchen worktops you have now. But the road between saying, “I want a granite countertop” and actually having one can be long and hard.
Granite worktops can be the focal point of your kitchen. However, it’s your choice of the granite that will determine if that focal point is a beauty to behold or an eyesore. So let’s see how to pick the best granite for your kitchen worktops, shall we?
Trust Your Instinct
If you’re considering a kitchen update or a complete remodel, then you’ve probably been looking at granite for quite a while now. Maybe you spent some time debating between granite and quartz worktops (and who could blame you?) and clicked through way too many pages of granite selection offers. Either way, it’s safe to say that you’ve seen what granite worktops look like, and you have a general idea of what you want. All you need now is for that idea to solidify itself, right?
Well, the good news is that your granite worktops choice doesn’t have to be so complicated. By now, you’ve probably seen a granite slab or two and thought to yourself, “wow, this is gorgeous!” Well, trust that instinct. Your first pick is probably a good choice (and maybe even the best one).
But just in case it isn’t, let’s see what advice we have in store for you when it comes to how to pick the best granite for your kitchen worktops and other work surfaces.
Contrast is Trendy
Decor trends change pretty much constantly. Lately, the rustic barn look that usually includes solid wood worktops and exposed beams has taken over pretty much all design magazine covers. However, in a few years, that particular look will probably be outdated.
That’s why you need something that is modern but won’t lose value. Granite worktops are the top high-quality feature of any modern kitchen. They won’t go out of style, and they are a great investment, which is why they are among the top choices for 2021 kitchen remodels worldwide.
So, yes, granite is a great choice, especially if you have stainless steel appliances. But which colour to choose?
Well, here, following a trend might not be so bad. Contrasting colours are very in right now. So if you have white cabinets, you might want to opt for dark granite worktops.
But It’s Also a Good Idea to Match Colours
Of course, contrasting colours don’t work well for everyone. Dark granite worktops won’t work that well if you don’t have a kitchen with lots of natural light. Not to mention, some people simply don’t like dark colours or having contrasting colour schemes.
If you’re one of them, don’t worry. You can always take the opposite route and match the colours of your new granite countertops to the existing colours in your kitchen.
To do that, you need to determine what the dominant colour in your kitchen is. More often than not, that will be the colour of your cabinets. When you have that, you can match the granite colour to it. However, you can either colour match with the primary colour of the granite or with the more subtle colour of the streaks.
For example, if you have blue kitchen cabinets, you can pick a primarily blue granite, like our Azul Bahia, or one like Azul Flores, which has more subtle hints of blue in its colour scheme.
Don’t Forget to Count In Your Style
You might have your eye on that modern, sleek-looking white granite, but is that the best choice for your kitchen? Your granite worktops should match your entire kitchen. So, if the place where your whole family gathers for meals is more traditional than modern, it might be a good idea to go for a more classical look with your granite kitchen countertops.
Now, we’re not saying that you shouldn’t mix modern and traditional. However, if you do, you have to execute it flawlessly. Otherwise, you’ll just end up with a kitchen that looks as if you remodelled it in two different decades.
Or the Rest of Your House
Of course, like anything else in life, a kitchen remodel doesn’t happen in a vacuum. So, when you’re picking out colour schemes and granite designs and patterns, consider the overall style of your house.
So, the answer to the question of how to pick the best granite for your kitchen worktops really has to do with your general house design.
Going Light or Dark
Oftentimes people have to pick the general direction before they pick the actual colour and pattern of their future granite worktops. You might have spent your entire adult life dreaming about white granite worktops (because that’s what we adults dream of, right?), but if you have a large kitchen that’s missing some drama, you might want to go in the other direction.
Similarly, small kitchens can’t really handle dark worktops because they eat away all the space and natural light.
Picking a Granite Pattern
If picking a granite colour simply isn’t working out for you, switch things up and look at patterns instead. For example, if you have a busy kitchen that has a lot of elements and maybe even a breakfast bar, it might be a good idea to pick a granite with a pattern that’s subtle, like our Andromeda White.
Colourful, striking patterns are a better fit for kitchens that only have one or two colours in them. They bring a bit of life and flair into the room.
But What You See Isn’t Always What You’ll Get
Keep in mind that browsing granite slobs can be a bit misleading. Each slab is unique. Each slab has veins, patterns, and colours that flow on it, like a beautiful river of gorgeousness. However, slabs are also huge or, if nothing else, definitely bigger than your future kitchen worktops will be.
So, that lovely pattern that you’ve been eyeing for a while might not look the same on your 25 or so-inch wide worktops as it does on a slab of granite that’s several feet long and wide.
Why Not Go with the Popular Choice?
If you’re still banging your head against the wall, wondering how to pick the best granite for your kitchen worktops, you can always go for the fan favourites.
Granite worktops offer a solid surface to work on and marvel at. They will turn your kitchen from drab to fab. No matter which one you pick, you won’t go wrong.
Therefore, you might as well follow the advice (or lead) of those who did this before you and opt for the popular choice.
Black Granite Worktops
Black granite is sleek and elegant. Although it seems like a wild card, black granite is one of the top choices in kitchen design because it can enhance both the modern and the traditional look.
With white cabinets and stainless steel appliances, your Antique Black or Angola Black granite worktops will look as if they belong on the pages of a design magazine. With dark wood cabinets, on the other hand, those same granite worktops will look traditionally English.
White Granite Worktops
Could you ever go wrong with white? We doubt it! White granite worktops make the entire kitchen look immaculate, fresh, and pristine. As a bonus, white granite doesn’t show staining as much as black one does.
Of course, no matter the colour, granite is pretty stain resistant. Even if you do get a blemish or two on your granite worktops, they are easy to clean. However, if you tend to nitpick about even the tiniest of specks, then white granite might be the perfect choice for you.
Blue Granite Worktops
Blue is a calming colour which is why many people pick it for their kitchens. It’s also quite versatile, at least when it comes to granite worktops. Blue granite has veined patterns that swirl across the stone or homogeneous patterns that display evenly distributed minerals that create a consistent arrangement.
Depending on what you like and what your current kitchen design is, you can opt for either one.
Green Granite Worktops
Green granite goes beautifully with dark wood cabinets. That’s why you most often see green granite worktops in traditional homes. Furthermore, it also goes excellent in kitchens with a dominant grey tone. Green granite often has strong greyish undertones (like our Boreal Green), so grey cabinets are the perfect setting for it.
The Stone Marble Specialists Has the Perfect Granite for Your Kitchen
If you’re having trouble figuring out how to pick the best granite for your kitchen worktops, give us a call. We’re more than happy to lend a hand! With decades of experience, we know all about the difficulties of colour and design matching. Luckily, we also have the answers to the questions that plague you. So book your consultation today, and we’ll do our best to design and instal your dream kitchen for you!