Skip to main content

Bored of your kitchen countertops? Change the color and refresh the whole room

The time has come, and you’re finally ready to embark on your next big project to remodel your kitchen. For a quick project that makes a big impact, consider changing the color of your countertop. While this is a fun project, it’s pretty cost and energy-intensive, so make sure you choose a color that complements your existing space while also inviting a lighter, brighter feel.

With any of our recommendations below, you can create a stunning kitchen that reflects the personality of you and your home.

white and grey kitchen with white countertops
Image used with permission by copyright holder

White

White is a simple yet effective countertop color that complements any design style. Though it’s most often used in minimalist designs, it works with a variety of styles. White is clean, minimal, and reflects light to open up the entire space and make it appear brighter. This is also a great option for rooms with dark walls and cabinets or limited natural light as it balances out the dimness and adds a little illumination.

Recommended Videos

How to style it

White works well with nearly any cabinet color or material, making it the most versatile option on our list. You can also purchase white countertops in stone, concrete, or quartz, depending on your preferences and budget.

To keep things from looking too bland, try to decorate with small pops of color via decorative vases or appliances. Wooden tones can also soften up the starkness of bright white, so consider incorporating natural materials like wicker baskets, wooden stools, or rattan side tables.

What it’s good for

  • Minimalists or those who prefer to keep things simple
  • Modern and contemporary home designs
  • Kitchens with dark-colored cabinetry
  • Rooms with dark walls or tiles

Green

It might sound strange at first, but green was quite a popular countertop color in the mid 20th century. When styled smartly, green countertops bring life and brightness to your kitchen and look especially stunning in traditional or rustic-inspired homes. They also add a fun vintage look that can be retro without appearing outdated.

When it comes to choosing a material for your countertop, the most common option is recycled glass. Not only is recycled glass an eco-friendly option, but it comes in a range of countertop colors, including green!

How to style it

Pair this colorful countertop with white cabinets for a simple and clean look. Other neutrals like black, white, grey, and natural wood are also great pairings.

What it’s good for

  • Adding more color to a kitchen’s design
  • Vintage and retro styles
  • Kitchens with plain white cabinets

Grey

Grey countertops, especially concrete ones, are definitely on-trend this year. Also available in recycled glass, crushed stone, and slate, this option is full of possibilities. Perfect for modern and minimalist homes, this soft, muted, and classic color creates a clean and streamlined design.

How to style it

If you opt for a sleek, slate-like grey, pair it with warm woods or lightly painted cabinets to soften up the look. Speckled grey countertops look stunning with traditional wood cabinets like oak, cherry, and birch, whereas recycled glass and concrete cabinets do well with light woods, whites, and pastels.

What it’s good for

  • Traditionally styled homes
  • Kitchens with a neutral color palette
  • People who favor granite but want a more affordable option (when using quartz)
  • People who love elegant and sophisticated looks (when using marble)

kitchen with dark cabinets and wooden countertop

Wood

While wood isn’t necessarily a color, we couldn’t resist putting it on our list! This option is excellent for bohemian, vintage, Mediterranean, and country-styled homes.

Wood countertops, especially butcher block ones, bring warmth and vibrancy to a kitchen space that is any home cook’s dream. Wooden countertops are available in a variety of colors like soft cherry, warm oak, and light birch. The best part is, if you grow tired of the color over time, you can always restain it to create a new look.

How to style it

Wood can round out the hard, straight look of black and white painted cabinets, metal accents, and stonework. Too much wood can make the kitchen look dated, so be sure to upgrade or replace any traditionally styled cabinets.

This texture warms a space up but also invites an element of earthiness, bringing in a little color and texture without opting for anything too flashy and trendy.

What it’s good for

  • Bohemian, vintage, Mediterranean, and farmhouse styles
  • People who want to add more natural materials to their design
  • People who prefer a gentle surface for knives and kitchenware

Picking a new countertop is a big decision, but it’s also easier than many people think. You can’t go wrong with any of these four options, but you should also feel free to experiment with other colors, patterns, and materials. Whether you love modern and contemporary styles or prefer farmhouse and rustic feels, there’s a countertop solution for you.

Amelia Wilson
Amelia Wilson (author pen name Amelia J. Wilson) is a content writer in Greenwood, IN. She often enjoys topics on…
What are neutral colors? 4 color palette tips for stunning interior design
Here's how you should decorate with neutrals and why they're the most versatile hues
White dining room with beige rug

Neutral colors may be the base of many color palettes and interior designs, but what are they, really? How can we decorate our spaces with these versatile hues? We'll dive into some of the best color palette tips to help you tackle neutrals like a pro and create a gorgeous interior design, while answering the question: What are neutral colors?
What are neutral colors?

Neutral colors are muted tones with minimal saturation. They are typically soft with a low vibrancy, making them ideal for the base of color palettes. Neutral colors can vary in shade and tint, which allows them to be versatile in any home design. These hues aren’t listed on the color wheel, as they are variations of white, black, and brown. Some neutrals are a blend of these colors, such as beige and gray, which create greige.
Basic neutrals
There are a few basic neutrals that can be turned into other neutrals. Black, white, gray, and brown can be mixed with any other color to create any neutral a person desires. For example, to make taupe, you would combine all the primary colors to make brown and then mix in white to lighten the tone, then add hints of red.
Warm vs. cool neutrals
Adding red or blue to neutrals can make them warm or cool. Warm neutrals will have reddish undertones or more prominent brown hues, while cool neutrals will have blue undertones and lean toward gray hues. Boosting a neutral’s saturation can also increase the warmth, depending on the tone of neutral you’re using.
Pros of a neutral palette

Read more
What colors go with taupe? Striking ways to design your home
Looking for a versatile neutral? Use taupe and pair it with some fantastic complementary hues
Taupe wall paint with taupe chairs and a large plant

With a range of dark and light shades to choose from, taupe is a versatile color fit for sleek wall tones, soothing accents throughout the room, or simple shades on furniture. While some people avoid this neutral tone, worried that it will appear drab or dull in their spaces, knowing how to use taupe in your home design will help you best take advantage of this stunning neutral color. And whether you love this hue or not, knowing what colors go with taupe can aid you in choosing the right tones for your color palette, especially if you need a gorgeous neutral backdrop.

So, if you love taupe or are eager to incorporate it into your design, then we have a few tips for you. Below are some of the best complementary shades for taupe, as well as the most striking ways to style it in your home.
What color is taupe?

Read more
Make the most of your living room/dining room combo with these stellar tips
Watch your living room/dining room combo shine with these tips
Gray monochrome living and dining room

Many contemporary homes have open-concept living, meaning fewer walls and shared space between rooms. It's a great idea for those who entertain or want minimal disruption between spaces. It's also good when you have small children and want to keep an eye on them while you're cooking, folding laundry, or watching TV. If you have one large area for your living room and dining room, there are some things you can do to get the most out of each room.

Of course, there's a lot to consider when it comes to which colors to choose, how to arrange furniture in a living room/dining room combo, and what wall and other decor can be used to blend the spaces together. Here's how to find the right mix that works in one collective space.
Small living room/dining room combo ideas

Read more