Should My Countertops Match My Floor or Cabinets?
Updating or designing a kitchen is always exciting, but it can definitely be stressful too. There’s a lot to consider in terms of layout, materials, and appliances. However, the place where many people get really stuck is the color scheme, especially in regards to whether their countertops should match their floor or cabinets.
So, which one is it?
According to our Standard Kitchen experts, your countertop should complement your floor and cabinets but shouldn’t directly match either of them. Read on for more details and kitchen inspiration.
3 Steps to Designing Your Ideal Kitchen
When designing your kitchen, you’ll want to pick a color scheme and keep it in mind throughout the entire design process. This color scheme should include two colors (maybe a third for accents). Most importantly, it should reflect you and your family’s unique style.
1. Choose Your Kitchen Countertops
Your first task should be choosing countertops. First of all, they’re the focal point of the kitchen, so they’re what guests will see when they first walk in. Second, they’re often multi-colored, so starting off there can set the tone for any flooring and cabinets yet to come.
Choose from a variety of materials, from natural stone to laminate to butcher block. Regardless, whichever colors are within your countertop, you’ll probably end up using one of them in your flooring.
2. Choose Your Kitchen Flooring
As mentioned previously, your flooring choice should complement your countertops. By choosing one of the colors within your countertop, your flooring will compliment it well without directly matching it. For example, if you pick a dark, black and beige marble countertop, you could choose a beige color for your flooring.
Kitchen flooring comes in a variety of materials, from hardwood to tile to laminate. While natural materials like hardwood and tile come in mostly natural colors, laminate options have a much wider color selection.
3. Choose Your Kitchen Cabinets
While your countertops and flooring should be used together to take up the first color slot, your cabinets should take up the second. The best way of thinking about this is in terms of light and dark colors.
For example, if you chose light countertops and flooring, you should choose dark cabinets. If you chose dark countertops and flooring, you should choose light cabinets.
The only exception to this is if you’d like an all-white kitchen, which is currently a very popular option. In that case, white or light-colored cabinets work with other white kitchen elements.
Kitchen Countertop, Flooring, and Cabinetry Inspiration
If you’re in need of some kitchen design inspiration, here are a few popular styles that might spark an idea.
Traditional Kitchen
Traditional kitchens have a casual, simple, and clean feel.
- Countertops – White, beige, or light gray. Choose from granite, quartz, light laminate, or butcher block.
- Flooring – Light gray or beige. Choose from tile or hardwood.
- Cabinets – Medium to dark brown wood.
Modern Kitchen
Modern kitchens are minimalist with artistic, yet sparse details. They often use a third accent color to make the small details pop.
- Countertops – White or light gray. Choose from granite, quartz, or stainless steel.
- Flooring – Light gray. Choose from tile or laminate.
- Cabinets – Dark gray or black painted wood. A vibrant pop of color could be used here too.
Craftsman Kitchen
Craftsman kitchens include natural, handcrafted materials.
- Countertops – Black or dark brown. Choose from granite or marble.
- Flooring – Dark brown. Choose from hardwood or tile.
- Cabinets – White or beige wood.
Still stuck on kitchen design? Our Standard Kitchen pros can help! Our kitchen team works with homeowners and contractors alike on a daily basis to develop the perfect, professionally designed space you’re looking for. For more information, give us a call or contact us online today for more information.