After decades of popularity, granite has become the standard material used for surfaces around the home. From kitchen counters to table tops, granite will turn up as the surface of choice everywhere you look. There are several reasons that granite is so popular. Its durability, its value, and its natural beauty are only three of the reasons that many homeowners choose granite surfaces for their homes.
Granite is a natural surface product. It is made of stone that is quarried from sites all around the world. One of the best things about granite is that you can buy it in virtually shade imaginable if you look hard enough. Some of the most popular base colors of granite include black, white, brown, blue, beige and red granite.
Some of this colors are more difficult to find than others. A pure white slab of granite is difficult to track down. Certain shades of blue granite are also rare because they are traditionally mined only from one area of the world.
Whatever color you decide to choose, you will want to be sure that your new granite surfaces will go well with the rest of your house. Granite surfaces are an investment that add value to the property. Not matching them well will offset the appeal of this stone. Instead of creating a luxurious kitchen, you may end up creating a design mishap. The following guide is a tool to help you pick the right granite color for your home.
Dark Granite
Dark granite can provide a look of elegance in your kitchen and throughout your home. It provides a contemporary and modern feel to the room while remaining classic in style. Dark granite is traditionally a shade of black. If you use dark granite in contrast with light cabinets or walls, you can create a great contrast that balances the forces of dark and light throughout the kitchen.
Dark granite is not just classic; it can also be fun. Like black clothing, dark granite can be spruced up with the right brightly colored accent. You could consider adding removable décor in bright colors to bring a new look and feel to the room that is not permanent.
Neutral Granite
The best thing about neutral granite colors is that they are very versatile. You can pair them with almost anything. These colors often include beige, brown and off-white granite. This type of granite will withstand the test of time not only in quality, but also style. Neutral granite will show off a range of design styles. This means that you can leave your surfaces in place should you want to remodel in the future.
Many neutral granites work well with light wood or white cabinets. They are also best paired with quiet tones painted on the walls. You can use neutral granite to create a contemporary style kitchen or even a rustic-inspired kitchen.
White Granite
White granite may be difficult to find but once you own it, it brings a true air of luxury into the room. Pure white slabs are rare but if you are willing to investigate and pay a little more for them, you can install one in your home.
One of the best things about light colored granite is that it makes even small rooms feel brighter and open. A white granite countertop can also offset the tones of dark cabinetry in a way that is complementary.
Choosing a Pattern
It may be tempting to choose a smooth pattern for your countertop. But before you make the final decision, it is important to think about what you want to use the counter for. If you are an avid chef with a love of heavy pans, sharp knives and kitchen antics, you may want to choose a surface with a pattern. This pattern will help hide any stains or damage that occurs from heavy use of the surface.
The same is true if you have kids or use the surfaces for more than just laying down your mail. Granite is an investment and should be treated with care. The best way to care for your granite is through prevention and careful treatment. Patterns will simply help to hide the aging that inevitably takes place on even the most robust surfaces.
Regardless of what color you decide to choose, you should take a sample of that color and match it with your existing cabinets or your new cabinets. You will also want to match it to any paint samples that you have. If you are participating in a whole kitchen remodel and know that you want to install new granite countertops, it is wise to choose the slab of granite that you want first. It is much easier to customize your paint color to your granite than the other way around.