Selecting a new countertop is a decision that you’ll live with for a long time. It’s important to take your time and work with a professional to explore all of the possible options and make the right decision. The granite counters will be a top feature in your kitchen, as they are durable, last a long time and bring an elegant, luxurious feeling to the space. To maximize your investment in the granite counters, ensure that you cover these bases when making a selection.
Know your kitchen’s the theme
The color and finish of the counters should jive with and enhance your kitchen’s current design. The counters should not only match the kitchen’s style, they can also be a focal point of the room. Ensure that you take the cabinet style and color, paint and flooring in consideration, as the counter should match or compliment these elements.
Think about the future
If you decide to sell your home at some point in the future, whether near or far, you’re wise to make the kitchen’s design fairly neutral. Potential buyers shy away from style designs that are too bold, too colorful or too personalized. It’s best to go with neutral colors in the big items, like the counters, cabinets and flooring. You can always make inexpensive fixes like changing the paint on a colorful wall or taking down knick knacks and paintings you’ve used to personalize the space, if you decide to sell your home.
Look at samples, lots of them
Your local granite fabricator will have a ton of granite slabs at which you can look. Make sure you set aside time to view many selections and talk with the supplier about the granite’s characteristics, veining and pattern. Once you whittle the selection down to five or 10 slabs you like, ask for samples and take them home with you. Assess the possibilities by lining up the samples with your cabinets, flooring and wall color. Look at the slabs in the morning, afternoon and evening – when it’s dark and you’re relying on artificial light. The slabs may look different in natural and incandescent lighting, so be sure to try it out at different times of the day.
Know when to go dark
If you’re drawn to darker granite colors, it’s important to know the rules for using them. Your kitchen will need to get lots of natural light in order to offset a black granite counter. In addition, it’s usually important to also have lighter-colored cabinets to add brightness to the room. Don’t be afraid of using dark granite for the countertop, as it enhances the elegance of the room and its timelessness. Just avoid using dark paint alongside it, as well as fixtures, wallpaper or paint, as combining these elements can actually make the room seem smaller and cramped.
When to lighten it up
In a kitchen with lots of light and bright cabinets, you can also use neutral countertop colors. Light brown or cream tones in the granite create an ultra-light and airy feel. On the other hand, light-toned counters also brighten up a kitchen with dark floors or deep, rich cabinets.
Choose your granite countertop wisely. Work with a professional to evaluate lots of colors and choose a slab that fits with your kitchen’s existing design. Keep in mind how the counters will affect the home’s resale value, and consider the point of view of a prospective buyer. A long-lasting, simple, yet elegant design, granite countertops offer a host of advantages to homeowners who invest in them. If you want a counter that will bring a big return on investment, consider granite.