Reno of the Month: Which countertop color is right for your space?

By Nicola Caul Shelley, Synergy Design & Construction

We’ve all been there. We have an idea in mind about what we want in our home remodel, but the sheer number of decisions needed and the options available for everything from cabinets to appliances can quickly become overwhelming. Will that floor go with those cabinets? Will that light fixture compete with the other finishes? This month, we’re here to help with one decision point: countertop color! So, let’s dig into the various options and take a look at some examples of how countertop color brings a look together.

Photos courtesy Synergy Design & Construction.

Lightly Veined

This has been THE go-to choice for countertops in the last few years. No matter what countertop material is used, lightly veined countertops are versatile and add design detail without overwhelming the rest of the finishes. For some, they also make the perfect choice if there is a concern about every single little water splash or stain showing on the countertop surface, as veining helps to subtly camouflage specks that inevitably end up on countertops from day to day.

The look of this kitchen remodel in Vienna is pure perfection! The lightly veined countertops complement, not compete with, the blue and white mosaic accent tile behind the range.

Lightly veined countertops are equally at home in contemporary remodels! This gorgeous waterfall island makes a statement in this kitchen remodel in Fairfax.

Our clients selected this lightly veined countertop for their blue and white kitchen remodel in Reston. Although a pure white countertop also looks stunning against blue cabinets, this countertop is perfect for pulling the blue, gray and white tones of the rest of the spaces together. 

Gray

What we love about gray countertops is their versatility. Gray goes well in contemporary spaces and can (which may surprise some) be used with dark cabinets.

Contemporary, but not cold! In this basement remodel in Reston, the gray countertop is right at home with the black cabinets. The look is kept light with the use of the lighter colored geometric backsplash tile and light wood floating shelves. Cheers!

The pebble-honed countertop in this home remodel in McLean pulls in the dark wood tones of the cabinets and grays/browns in the backsplash tile. The copper bar sink adds a luxe feel that goes perfectly with the other materials.

White

You may shy away from white countertops if you are concerned about staining. We say, GO FOR IT! Contrary to popular belief, white countertops don’t show every crumb or stain (in the same way white cars don’t). White countertops are most at home in transitional and contemporary home remodels.

Yes, please! This contemporary kitchen remodel in Reston shows how white countertops work with modern, white cabinets — with some added warmth from the wood tones used in some of the cabinetry. The overall look is sleek and fuss-free.

The perimeter and island countertops in this kitchen remodel in Oakton are a great example of how white countertops sit perfectly well in a transitional kitchen and add a real pop when used against a color such as the lush blue of the island.

For this contemporary kitchen remodel in Reston, the countertops are not a pure but an off-white, which softens the look and brings in the more natural elements of the floating shelves, brick fireplace and gold/brass fixtures. However, it still pops against the cabinets and keeps the look modern.

White countertops can also help a space feel bigger. In this luxury condo remodel in Reston, the use of white cabinets, white geometric tile and white countertops makes the kitchen immediately feel more spacious — plus it keeps the look clean and crisp.

Black

A go-to choice for many, black countertops can certainly make a statement in any home! Our advice is to use them in combination with white/light cabinets if you have a more transitional aesthetic.

Mix n’ match countertops done right! In the example above, our clients chose a veined countertop for the island paired with jet black countertops for the perimeter in this Oakton kitchen remodel. The gray tones of the tile and the white cabinets/gray island pull everything together beautifully.

For this home remodel in McLean, our clients had a large kitchen with high ceilings. They really wanted white cabinets, but use of white countertops would make the kitchen feel too cavernous. The black countertops help ground the space and break up the white tones of the cabinets and walls.

For this water-fronted townhome remodel in Reston, our client really wanted a classic black and white color scheme, but it gave us an opportunity to add a pop of color and playful design detail: the mosaic tile accent behind the range. Love!

Wood

Wooden countertops sometimes get a bad reputation for being too high maintenance, but with the popularity of wood coming back into kitchen cabinets and design, we think you should give wooden countertops a chance!

This classic farmhouse kitchen just exudes the feeling of ‘home’ in this remodeled kitchen. We used a wooden countertop for the island rather than throughout the kitchen and made the island a standalone design feature.

Not just for kitchens, stylish countertops can be used in any part of the home! In this basement remodel in Reston, we created a double office space with a wooden countertop to keep the feeling warm but functional.

As a full service design-build home remodeling company, we don’t work on countertop updates as a standalone service. But, if you’re ready for a complete kitchen, basement or primary bathroom remodel, our in-house Interior Design team is ready to partner with you and help you make all the right design choices to create your dream space!

Get in touch!Our consultations are FREE and there is no obligation.