Your kitchen or bathroom countertop could
be the most important decorating choice, not only because of its visual impact,
but because of the time and expense of installation. Choosing the right type of
counter surface will depend on your tastes, your level of use, and the overall
style of your home. Once you have decided on the right countertop material for
your home, it's time to choose the color. Here are quick tips to help you find
the right color for your countertops.
Remember That Paint and Accessories Can Change Over Time
When you're choosing countertop color,
you'll be matching it to a color scheme for the room. Matching the countertops
to a paint color can be gorgeous, but keep in mind that your color tastes may
change and the room could be repainted. Strongly colored countertops that are
chosen to match with paint, accessory, or furniture colors, can become outdated
easily. Consider a countertop withe veins or splashes of your favorite color,
so you can keep your options open.
Recognize the Undertones of Major Elements of the Room Before Choosing Countertop Color.
Undertones can be your best friend in
decorating, or the bane of your existence. The key to making friends with
undertones, is learning to know the difference. If you have cherry wood cabinetry,
your blue or green countertops are going to make them appear very very red or
even pink. If your flooring or cabinetry has a yellow or orange undertone, cool
gray or blue counters will intensify that undertone. A basic understanding of the
color wheelcan help you avoid a color clash with your new countertops.
Veined or speckled countertop patterns can give you the pops of color you need,
without creating color drama in your kitchen or bath.
Sampling is Important for Countertops, Too!
If you've read color advice on this site
before, you know that sampling your paint color is my #1 color tip for home
decorators. This good advice is also extremely important for any surface you're
considering for your home. Many countertop decisions are made in a store, with
paint strips and wood samples in hand. This quick method does not ensure that
you are making the right choice. If possible, look at all elements together in
the unique room lighting. Be sure to hold or attach the samples in the correct
orientation to each other (i.e. paint and cabinetry samples vertically, floor
and countertop samples horizontally,) as the way they light hits them can
change everything.
Consider how You'll Accessorize the Room, Then Choose Countertop Colors With Color Flexibility.
Solid color countertops can look simple and
modern, but can look cold in a room without other patterns going on. If you
love the look of a stylized tile backsplash, or wallpaper, or even patterned
upholstery and fabric accents, a solid color countertop can balance the room.
If you like to keep other elements of the room simple, then countertops with a
natural pattern or multiple colors, can give you balance, too.
To coordinate a bathroom countertop, your
color accents can enhance your countertop choice through linens, paint, and
colorful accessories. Choosing a neutral countertop for the bath gives you the
most decorating leeway when choosing paint and accessories. A bathroom is the
perfect spot to add
a pop of color through accessories. Be sure to try your countertop
choices out with your cabinetry, tile, and flooring, to be sure that the color
undertones work well together.
