Granite’s heyday as the standard countertop material has given way to quartz, but it still has its place in some homes. Whether you choose to go with neutral tones or bolder colors, this natural stone offers timeless beauty that won’t date as quickly as bright decor elements or new wall paint.
Backsplash Tiles
Granite counters are a dramatic and long-lasting addition to any kitchen. They are incredibly heat-resistant and durable, and their lustrous surfaces can be sealed to resist staining and bacteria. They also hold up well to daily use, making them a great choice for family kitchens. Granite countertop edges also offer plenty of style choices to complement your design aesthetic.
When you’re considering granite countertops, it’s essential to decide on a budget and decide what features are most important for your space. The overall cost of your granite countertops will vary depending on color, edge detail, and more. To keep your budget in check, consider limiting your granite selection to hardworking areas, such as an island or prep sink. Auxiliary countertops can be made from less expensive materials such as laminate or solid-surfacing.
Backsplash tiles are a great way to tie your granite counters into the rest of your home’s décor, and they can be an opportunity to add a pop of color or pattern to your cooking area. You can even try coordinating the backsplash tiles with your cabinet color to create a cohesive look.
The most popular color for granite countertops is neutral, and there are a wide range of shades available. Some colors are more dramatic than others, and you can also choose different surface textures to add interest to your counters. Consider the visual impact of flecking, stippling, and color ticking to create a more personalized finish for your granite countertops.
One of the best things about granite is that it looks good with just about any color palette. You can make your countertops pop with a bold color like Premium Black, which has a dark mystique that works for contemporary or masculine designs. Or choose a soft, subtle shade like White Ice, which blends cottony white and pale silver with flecks of black for a clean, crisp look.
You can also create a more traditional look with gray granite countertops. These look beautiful with a variety of cabinet colors, but they’re especially complementary to warm greige or wood. You can also opt for a clean, sleek finish like the polished surface shown here, which looks beautiful with white cabinets and light wood floors. The smooth surface draws the eye and accents spills and crumbs, which makes it easy to keep your granite countertops looking their best.
Cabinets
A kitchen’s cabinets and countertops are the most prominent design elements in any home, and they need to complement each other to create a complete look. Cabinets come in a wide range of colors and styles, and they can be paired with many different types of backsplashes.
A granite countertop’s color and pattern can be matched with a variety of colors in the room to create a cohesive look. Some granites work well with light and neutral tones, while others work best with warm or dark hues. In addition, certain granite colors look better with specific wood or paint colors.
For example, coffee brown granite looks beautiful with a wide range of paint tones and cabinet materials. It is especially attractive with white or modern colored cabinets. It also works well with medium to dark wood tones if you prefer a more traditional or rustic style. If you decide to go with a darker counter, try pairing it with a light greige or tan backsplash for a contrast that enhances the stone’s unique pattern.
Another popular granite color is a cool gray that matches nicely with many different color schemes. It is easy to find a complementary paint color for the cabinets, and the natural gray of the countertop can be enhanced with a herringbone tile backsplash that mirrors the patterns in the granite.
Grey granites like the one pictured here can add an elegant touch to any kitchen. They look beautiful when paired with other rock and mineral hues, such as the duck-egg green used on this kitchen’s island and the warm gray walls that surround it.
A more dramatic granite option is black, which can be a dramatic focal point in any kitchen. This material pairs beautifully with white cabinets and rich hardwood floors. It also pairs well with a range of different paint colors, including soft taupe and cappuccino.
A tan-colored granite, such as Butterfly Beige, can easily blend in with most kitchen decor. This type of countertop works well with white, cream, and gray cabinets. It can even be matched with tan or wood-toned cabinets for a more rustic look.
Backsplashes
A kitchen with Granite Countertops isn’t complete without the coordinating backsplash. This functional element helps to protect the wall above the countertops, but it’s also an opportunity to add character and style. There are many options for your backsplash, including stacked stone, glass or ceramic tile and even metal. Choosing the right backsplash material is an important choice for your home, because it impacts the overall look and durability of the space.
Granite is an excellent option for a backsplash because it’s durable and visually striking. It’s also heat-resistant and can withstand heavy splashes. It’s easy to clean, and it will stay looking great for years to come. Granite backsplashes are available in a wide range of colors and patterns to complement any design style. Here are a few of the most popular varieties from MSI:
Emerald Pearl offers subtle green and gray shades with flecks of copper to create an eye-catching statement in your kitchen. This unique color combination can be used in either modern or traditional designs, and it coordinates with almost any cabinet color. The iridescent quality of this backsplash changes in light, adding to its appeal.
Another beautiful option is Luna Pearl, which resembles the moon’s surface with its delicate mix of white, black and gray specks. This natural stone has a dramatic impact in any kitchen, and it’s an excellent choice for a contemporary or transitional style.
Backsplashes help to hide imperfections in the walls above your countertops, as well as protect the walls from grease stains. They are an integral part of any kitchen remodeling project, but there are many different types to choose from.
Generally, we recommend using the same material for your countertops and backsplash for a consistent look and ease of maintenance. However, if you want to switch it up a bit, a standard 4-inch backsplash still leaves plenty of room for decorating flexibility.
Full-height custom backsplashes are a popular choice because they offer an upscale appearance that’s hard to beat. They’re also easier to maintain than a tile backsplash, since grease and food splatter wipes easily off the smooth granite surface.
Accessories
Granite is a one-of-a-kind surface that elevates any kitchen style from traditional to contemporary. It’s durable and resistant to heat, stains, and scratches. And it’s easy to maintain with warm water and a mild cleaning solution. Granite countertops are available in a wide array of colors and patterns that offer a dramatic, exotic look to your space. And it’s also a great choice for kitchen islands because it helps to accentuate the appliances around it and create a natural flow in your design.
Darker granite countertops are a popular option because they can provide contrast to brighter cabinetry or create an elegant backdrop for a black or stainless steel range. For example, Steel Grey granite features a deep gray backdrop punctuated by flecks of light gray, silver, and black. This stunning material can be paired with wood-colored cabinets for a classic look or white cabinetry for a modern space.
For a lighter granite option, consider Colonial White, which boasts a soft blend of cottony white and pale silver with hints of black. It’s a great choice for homeowners who want a neutral look that complements almost any cabinet color and can be topped with a variety of backsplash ideas.
Brown granites are another popular countertop choice for their ability to add warmth and visual interest to a room. Tropic Brown is a striking shade that pairs well with a variety of decor styles and colors. You can bring out the rust and earth tones in your Tropic Brown countertops with wooden cabinets or opt for rich, chocolate brown cabinetry for a sophisticated look.
If you’re looking for a bolder kitchen countertop, try a blue or red granite. These hues are uncommon in most kitchens but can make a big impact. The key to incorporating these unique accents is to choose a paint color that reveals the shades of red, pink, green, and blue found in your granite. Compare your paint chips to the dominant color of your countertop to find a color that coordinates best with it.
If you aren’t ready to commit to a bolder color, you can still get an exotic look with Granite countertops by adding decorative edge treatments. Eased, beveled, and bullnose edges are common options that complement most Granite countertop styles. For a more detailed look, consider ogee or triple waterfall edges.