Granite Colors: The Options I Used in My Kitchen vs. My Bathroom
After hosting my parents, my sister’s family, and a few friends of mine for the Christmas season in December, I realized that my house needed some changes. We’ve lived in our 2-story Colonial for about 6 years and have always been pleased, not exactly thrilled, with our plastic countertops in both the kitchen and downstairs half bath. They were fairly durable and relatively easy to clean, but they didn’t really blow you away with good looks. Since it was January and the weather was affecting us to some degree, I didn’t want invasive construction done during the colder months, not knowing how vulnerable it would leave my home (ie my heating bill). So I settled on granite overlays.
We knew we wanted granite countertops for both the kitchen and bathroom, but obviously wanted to stagger the effect of each; choosing colors that were quite different but still gave the room in question the feel we wanted. In the past I had seen dark colored granite countertops, even black in some cases, that really gave those kitchens a glossy yet elegant finish. I admired how the dark finish never seemed too dirty or stained from food preparation (not to mention hiding stains, but seemed to present a clean appearance even during the cooking process). Partly for that reason, we chose a dark charcoal gray for our kitchen countertops and island. We already had white cabinets that had clear glass in the front that showcased our various cups, glasses, and plates (and white plastic counters), so offsetting the white cabinets with the dark granite overlay looks fantastic.
The bathroom was a more delicate process, as we wanted a granite coating, but didn’t want to replicate the feel the kitchen provided. We wanted a more earthy and calm look for the bathroom. One that welcomes our guests, instead of making them feel like they are in a public bathroom in a hotel lobby (sometimes they have granite countertops, right?). My wife has always been a fan of placing little ferns, or whatever seasonal plants she can find, in the bathroom to give it a fresh, airy feel. For this reason, we decided on a light tan color for the granite countertop in the bathroom. Although we stuck to a relatively muted color, we were pleased to see how our new bathroom counter was not only more attractive and more studied, but also created a definite air of relaxation, which is what we were ultimately going for.
By going for simple granite overlays, we were able to finish these two rooms in just a couple of days and there wasn’t really any mess. Dark, sleek colors for the kitchen worked well, and calm, earthy colors for the bathroom have done wonders for the simple downstairs bathroom we once had. I recommend choosing granite countertops if you’re considering redoing your countertops, and I recommend choosing colors that suit your style and the overall motif of your home. Enjoy the remodel!