How to Choose the Right Color Granite for Your Kitchen

The color of a granite counter is frequently reflected in the backsplash tile.

A granite countertop can bring a lot of color, style and design to any kitchen. A granite counter can often be the focal point of the kitchen, filled with color, movement and shine. After you have chosen granite for your counter surface, you may feel overwhelmed with the number of color choices on the market. Price, stone availability, maintenance of the stone and your own preferences will help you narrow the field quickly until you find the color of granite that's right for you.

Things You'll Need

• Existing cabinet door color sample
• Existing paint color sample
• Existing floor sample

Instructions

1. Visit a stone yard where the actual slabs of granite are kept. Stone yards have the largest selection of stone available; they allow you to see the slabs themselves. This will be beneficial when you're making your final choice.

2. Ask to see a color sample board or sample wall. This is a selection of all the colors available in sizes ranging from 4-inch squares to 6-by-12-inch slab pieces. The color samples will help you narrow your choices before you visit the large slabs.

3. Tell the salesperson your budget and ask for any stones falling outside your budget to be removed from the mix. Ask the salesperson to tell you about the stones and which ones require more maintenance than others. Some stones, such as Absolute Black granite, require no maintenance while a stone such as Verde Marinache will require frequent sealing. Eliminate any stones that you feel do not fit your regular kitchen maintenance routine.

4. Hold any samples of cabinets, floors and walls up to the color boards to see if a combination is pleasing to you. Try contrasting a light cabinet with a dark counter, or selecting a granite that has flecks the same color as the wall color to create a cohesive design. Balance a dark floor and light cabinetry with a dark counter, and a darker cabinet with a lighter floor and counter. Narrow your selection to three or four stones in a variety of colors, and ask to see the full slabs.

5. Visit the full slabs of the stones you have selected. Inspect them for color to see if you enjoy the color in the slab with your samples. Look at the veining or color patterns; stones with busy grain work better in contemporary kitchens with simple cabinets and tile, while tight-grain patterns work better in traditional or busy kitchen designs.

6. Request a sample of the slab whose pattern and color you like the most. Take it home with you and view it in the light of your kitchen with your cabinets and wall color to make the final determination.

References

• Heritage Stone Craft: How Do You Choose a Stone?
• Natural Stone Interiors: Questions on Granite Countertops