It should be admitted that the countertop is of the utmost importance when designing and building a kitchen. Spending a fortune on cabinet design and materials may be wasted, it was all completed with a low-quality countertop. When choosing countertops, the first thing that usually comes to mind is the type of material. Big spenders would have access to high-end materials like pure marble or granite countertops, while those on a more modest budget would likely spend a reasonable amount on solid surfaces like corian or maybe even laminate like Formica. New exotic materials and countertop fashions are also gaining popularity, such as the alkemi countertop or the steel countertop. Having decided on the desired type of material, the next big decision would have to be the color of the countertop.

Countertop color can make or break a successful kitchen cabinet design. Choosing a countertop color that doesn’t blend in with the kitchen environment can have disastrous effects on the environment. Choosing a favorite color is not an easy task, as countertop materials tend to have some kind of texture. The trick is to get the right color to match the right texture that will complement the entire kitchen design.

In general, if you have a light-themed design, a dark countertop will add a nice contrast to balance the space and tie everything together. If your kitchen theme leans more towards white, then a countertop color scheme that leans more towards black would be the way to go. Deep black marble countertops go well in a white themed kitchen. If you have light cabinets on dark floors, then a countertop that is a shade or two lighter than the floor would help lift the kitchen cabinet design and add a sense of space to the kitchen. Having a dark colored countertop that matches the tone of a dark floor could make things look a bit flat.

Kitchens with a warm pastel color scheme would go well with a light colored cabinet design topped off with a similar pastel colored countertop that is a shade or two lighter than the walls. Again, this will add a sense of depth in the kitchen and help keep that warm atmosphere. Kitchens with dark walls could probably work with an equally dark cabinet topped with a light colored countertop for built-in effect. Dark walls with light cabinets and countertops, on the other hand, can help space things out and push dark walls.