Apartment design
In fact, there are no clear laws following which one could choose the color of the countertop. The most important thing is that it does not look like an unnecessary or out of place element in your kitchen. In other words, the countertop must fit into the combination of the kitchen apron and facades. To eliminate possible errors, simply compare samples of countertops and facades from the catalog. In order to speed up the procedure for selecting a color solution, it is better to determine the required tone in advance and not go through all the samples in a row. There are a lot of possible solutions, and each of them has the right to life. There are no extremes of good or bad - you need to choose the one that “likes” you specifically.
The rigor and functionality of black
Clean lines, straight shapes, high-gloss white kitchen cabinets and black countertops that reflect light. This is how a high-tech style kitchen is drawn. A game of contrasts is an ideal option for reserved and ambitious people.
A countertop in dark shades can solve several problems at once:
- add special mystery and depth to the white color;
- allocate a work area;
- bring harmony to the interior, which will be complemented by glass and metal elements.
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.
Wooden beauty of Scandinavia
The Scandinavian style has absorbed all the harshness of the climate of those regions: natural materials in light, cold shades and the presence of simple geometric shapes. A tabletop made of solid wood can soften the interior and give it a little warmth. This material is distinguished by its original structure and environmental friendliness - the dream of many housewives.
Preference should be given to light wooden shades, since dark ones create the impression of pressure on the fragile white walls of the cabinets.
If the structure of wood is not to your liking, but Scandinavia is your passion, a light brown countertop option made of chipboard or MDF will help fulfill your desire. The price will be even cheaper.
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”.
Rustic style in light colors
Have you ever been to a wild village in southeastern France? Then create an atmosphere of serenity in your kitchen. Floral motifs, aged furniture, vintage decorative details, a large amount of textiles and a tabletop in light shades from light gray to light yellow. Everything is permeated with calm and warmth.
The main working surface should in no case be glossy - Provence does not allow such trifles.
Its slightly rough structure will go well with an apron made of natural materials (wood, stone or MDF).
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.
White minimalism
The simplest and most win-win option for a white kitchen is a countertop of the same color. The minimalist style option has always been distinguished by its relevance.
A white work surface will help visually increase the space of a small kitchen, giving it extraordinary lightness and weightlessness.
Do you think it's more like a hospital ward? Then use bright accents in the form of vases and plates, lay a simple plain carpet on the floor, and decorate the shelves on the walls with interesting details. The main thing is not to overload the interior with heavy furniture and a large number of closets - minimalism does not tolerate this.
What countertop color to choose for a white kitchen
Classic white color
Beautiful bleached oak is ideal for classic interiors. Its noble beauty is perfect for other styles. Snow-white marble remains one of the most luxurious, but quite difficult to maintain options. If you don’t want to spend a lot of effort on carefully caring for a “capricious” white marble countertop, you can choose any imitation of this expensive material.
An all-white kitchen can look cold and boring. Shades of “winter snow” can be “diluted” with beautiful textiles. These can be more or less bright curtains, tablecloths, napkins, towels. They can be made from the same fabric. Or keep it in a single color scheme, decorate it with the same or consonant, overlapping patterns and designs. The interior will acquire a touch of sophistication and sophistication.
Section: Which countertop color to choose for a white kitchen
Natural wood shades
They add warmth to a “sterile” white environment. Depending on the style of the room, you can use light ash or birch, golden shades of walnut, maple, and beech wood. For a contrasting accent, dark colors of wenge or stained oak are suitable. The greenish veins of unique bamboo tabletops made from pressed stems look impressive.
Any of the pure bright colors
For example, sky blue, red, yellow or green. In this case, the tabletop will become the dominant color accent of the interior. It will bring a note of mischief and fun to the snow-white composition of the room. This technique allows you to “revive” ascetic, monochrome interiors. Especially those made in the loft or minimalist style. For the same purposes, various fantasy compositions are used.
Contrast black
Such a tabletop is always a spectacular contrast. It is believed that black is too easily soiled for the kitchen. To prevent noticeable fingerprints, small scratches and other errors on the fashionable surface, experts suggest choosing matte versions. It is better to prefer natural or artificial options “with a pattern” of wood fibers, stone veins, etc. over plain black.
Grey
Stone countertops made of natural granite and gray shades of marble add dark or light shades of this color to the decor of a white kitchen. Noble gray wood, such as terrado, is also suitable for this. Various manufacturers of acrylic stone countertops offer a wide range of elegant gray shades. Gray countertops often include hygienic steel options.
When combining white with the mirror-like shine of stainless steel countertops, you should take some care so that the kitchen does not look like an operating room. This effect can accidentally occur when decorating a room in one of the low-color, monochromatic styles. For example, when recreating a minimalist style.
Article: Which countertop for a white kitchen to choose
Dark shades of classics
The stone surface is cold and attractive. This is what a tabletop looks like in a classic style. Highlighting the whiteness of kitchen cabinets and adding weight to the atmosphere is just a small part of what it can do.
But the stone owes its popularity to its properties:
- durable and scratch resistant;
- perfectly polished;
- wine or coffee will not leave any stains on it, thanks to its dense structure.
Dark brown color is another companion to the classic white kitchen. It can be adopted by those who are alien to stone coldness and inaccessibility.
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.
All eyes on the apron
In contact with each other, the tabletop and apron form a single whole canvas. That's why it's so important that they harmonize.
If you listen to designers, then first you select a kitchen surface, and an apron for it. They do not necessarily have to match in color and texture, but it is still worth sticking to a common color palette. Otherwise, a white kitchen will cause confusion.
A contrasting bright apron is perfect for a white surface. It will not only add zest, but will also delimit the space. In this case, it would be nice to choose interesting decorative details that are in the same color scheme.
A countertop made of stone or wood requires an apron of a similar structure. Made in the same style, they will add sophistication and charm to the kitchen.
Which countertop to choose for a white kitchen
The shades of expensive natural stones are attractive, but not too varied. Practical quartz agglomerates perfectly imitate different types of marble and other natural stones. Their applied qualities are excellent. But they are heavy and expensive. If you want to purchase a cheaper version, you should pay attention to countertops made from acrylic stone.
This material is able to recreate the beauty of various types of valuable wood and natural stone. In addition, manufacturers of quartz and acrylic countertops offer a wide variety of calm, bright or fancy colors. They are decorated with inclusions of seashells, mirror, mother-of-pearl or stone chips. The plastic “stone” is slightly inferior in properties to the quartz version. We talked in more detail about various materials for countertops in our previous article. For now, let's look at the main ones.
The most “budget” option would be to purchase a countertop made of particle boards or fiber boards. The decorating layer covering them can imitate the natural beauty of stones, wood, metal, fabric, etc. They are decorated with a variety of photo prints. There are versions painted in bright colors.
Article: Which countertop for a white kitchen to choose
Which countertop to choose for a white kitchen can be determined by the characteristics of the material from which the kitchen furniture and wall protective aprons are made. You can choose a tabletop that matches them. Quartz agglomerate, stainless steel and acrylic stone allow you to add stylish uniformity to the interior with kitchen sinks and splashbacks made from the same material as the countertops. Let's look at popular types of materials in more detail.
Natural stone
The properties of different minerals differ markedly. Granite is not afraid of almost anything. It is not afraid of kitchen acids, moisture or high temperatures. But its color range is not too rich. Marble is much more beautiful, but more “capricious” to care for. Unlike granite, an accidental drop of vinegar can leave unsightly stains on a smooth, polished surface.
Man-made stone – quartz agglomerate
“Improved” stones lack porosity and are chemically inert. They are easy to care for. They can easily withstand numerous cycles of heating and cooling, getting wet and drying. Countertops made of quartz agglomerate have an almost inexhaustible number of different color options.
Stainless steel
This practical and hygienic material looks organically in ultra-modern styles. For example, in techno. In order not to lose the spectacular mirror shine, such countertops are carefully washed with soft napkins. Remove stains left by drops of water in a timely manner. Protects against scratches and dents in relatively soft metal.
Impact-resistant heat-resistant glass
Made using special technologies, even with significant damage, it will not be able to injure anyone. It can be used to make not only a spectacular dining table, but also an unusual work surface. But still, you shouldn’t drop heavy pans on it or clean it with harsh abrasives.
Specific plastic – acrylic stone
Like artificial quartz countertops, acrylic does not absorb liquids or odors and is impervious to harmful bacteria. At the same time, it is much lighter in weight and easier to work with. But, like any plastic, acrylic is afraid of heat and scratches. Acrylic stone countertops are also harmful to the effects of acetone and acids.
Tree
A wooden countertop will look great in combination with a white kitchen. This can be an expensive cut - natural wood. Or a laminated veneer sheet made from different pieces of wood. Glued laminated wood differs in structure from a single piece of tree trunk. The inner layers are formed by less beautiful wood, which is glued together so that the grains intersect. This gives the finished countertop additional strength.
Laminated fiber or particle boards
They are covered with a durable protective and decorative layer. The kraft paper from which it is created protects the inner layers from aggressive influences. In order for such a countertop to serve for a long time, it must be handled with the same care as a wooden one. Use cutting boards, wipe dry after use, keep away from abrasives, acids and alkalis.
Wide window sills can be turned into a comfortable work surface. Decorated in the same color scheme, made from the same material as work and dining tabletops, they will look especially impressive and stylish. You can also make a fashionable bar counter from the same material.
Section: Which countertop to choose for a white kitchen
The choice of materials and shades is huge. Deciding what the ideal countertop for a white kitchen should be, and which one to choose for the work surface and dining table is quite difficult. The tastes and preferences of the housewife who will cook in this kitchen will come to the rescue in solving this problem. After all, the mood, inspiration, and therefore the taste of the prepared food depend on the beautiful, pleasant design of the work area.
Stone countertop: types, shades and patterns
If you have chosen natural stone as a material, be prepared that the palette of available tones and patterns is very limited. There are not many types of stone that are suitable for kitchen design, and this must be taken into account. At the same time, of course, a natural stone countertop will serve for decades and in appearance cannot be compared with its artificial counterparts.
What “stone” colors of countertops are most often found in the interior:
- Granite is a stone with a recognizable granular texture, which can have gray, coffee, pinkish, scarlet, black, or green undertones.
- Marble is a light stone with veins of red, black, greenish, and chestnut colors. An example of such a countertop can be seen in the ARABESCATO kitchen with a countertop made of white marble with dark veins.
- Quartz countertops can be of almost any color, the rarest option in nature is white quartz.
- Travertine is a finishing stone that is usually gray, brown, golden or white.
- Onyx is a stone that is easily recognized by its characteristic large stains. It can be coffee, yellow, beige.
Another option is an artificial stone countertop. The quality of the material will naturally be lower, but the choice of textures in this case is much wider and is not limited to the natural characteristics of the stone.
Read on the topic: Tabletop made of natural or artificial stone?
Wood table top
Oak
Oak is available in several tones.
- White oak comes in a white, ash color due to bleaching of the fibers. May have pink or gray streaks.
- Bleached oak is combined with orange, purple, turquoise, gray, black and gold.
The photo shows an eco-style kitchen, where a bleached oak countertop is combined with a light floor and white trim.
- Bog oak
Bog oak can be pure black or smoky, with a hint of gray. Suitable for white-gray, beige-brown, emerald, scarlet kitchens.
- Golden or natural oak has a golden, coffee, orange color. The tones blend into one another and are combined with dark chestnut, gold, yellow, and burgundy.
- Dark oak comes in chestnut and dark chocolate colors and can be combined with white, ultramarine, gold, and burgundy.
- Wenge colors range from gold to chestnut, burgundy, dark purple with black textured lines. Combines with bleached oak, maple, ash, blue, orange, cream, white, emerald kitchen.
Beech
It has a warm golden hue and is classified as a light wood, which can be combined with lilac, brown, gray, salmon furniture in the kitchen.
Nut
Walnut countertops come in a medium to rich brown color with a gray or red undertone. It is distinguished by dark veins and lighter strokes. Combines with dark green, beige, sand purple, burgundy, milky, black.
The color of cherry in the kitchen can be considered golden, red or chocolate, combined with heavenly, milky, pale green, beige, coffee, pink.
Alder
It has a golden hue, honey orange color without dark details. Similar to golden oak, combined with gray, beige, pale red, burgundy, olive, lilac, white, black.
Ash
Ash comes in light (coffee color with distinct lines) and dark (dark chocolate color with the same texture). Light ash is combined with concrete, milky, white, mint, brown colors in the kitchen, and dark ash is combined with burgundy, white, milky, green.
In the photo, the work surface and the surface of the island part are made of light ash, which is combined with a dark gray set and emphasized with light inserts.
Terrado is similar to the color of asphalt, metallic and concrete. The gray base color is complemented by abrasion-type shading. Combines with white, gray, dark brown, black furniture.
The bamboo work surface has a pattern created by pressing the stems. It can be dark, light brown, brown with green streaks.
