Upgrade Your Kitchen With the Fusion of Granite and Modern Design
Whether your kitchen is an old fixer-upper or just a few years past its prime, it’s easy to bring this important space back to life. Several designers offer up upgrades that will improve both function and style.
Painting the walls with a fresh coat of paint is an affordable way to give your kitchen a facelift. Choose a neutral color or a more eye-catching accent wall.
Kitchen Countertops
The countertops are one of the most important surfaces in your kitchen, and they serve a wide range of functions. Providing a workspace to prepare meals, a dining area for family and friends, and a spot to add the final touches to your kitchen design, it is crucial to choose the right countertop material to meet the needs of your lifestyle and aesthetic.
Granite is a popular choice for kitchen countertops because of its durability and versatility. It comes in a range of colors and can match the tone of your cabinets and flooring, creating a seamless appearance for an upgraded look. Depending on the shade you select, it can also offer a subtle contrast against your kitchen appliances and other design elements.
In addition to granite, there are a number of other natural and synthetic countertop options to consider for your kitchen remodel. For example, soapstone and quartzite are new favorites for their unique coloring and toning. They are a beautiful option for minimalistic kitchens and work well in coordination with wood cabinets and other organic design features. For a more classic look, marble countertops are another option that is durable enough to handle the daily wear and tear of kitchen use.
Kitchen countertop trends may come and go, but the options available are endless. Take the time to shop around and compare the different materials on the market, paying attention to details like texture and color. This will help you find the perfect match for your space and ensure that your kitchen upgrade is a success.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect countertop material, it is important to keep in mind other design features that will make your kitchen stand out from the crowd. For instance, adding a backsplash will help to tie the whole look together. In addition, it is important to consider the thickness of your countertops. While traditional countertops were 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inches thick, we are seeing a trend towards thinner surfaces that create a sleeker look.
Backsplash
Adding a new backsplash is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a kitchen. It’s also an inexpensive option compared to other upgrades, such as replacing counters or installing a new floor. Updating the backsplash with a modern tile is a do-it-yourself project that even an inexperienced homeowner can take on.
Depending on the style of the backsplash, you can use tiles in multiple colors to create a custom look. For instance, a simple white subway tile backsplash is a timeless choice that can fit many kitchen color schemes and styles. For a more modern feel, consider incorporating glass tiles in your backsplash design to add sparkle and interest to the space.
If you’re in the market to remodel your kitchen, it’s important to determine how much square footage you have to work with and how much you’re willing to spend on materials. This will help you narrow down your options when choosing a backsplash material. For example, you might choose to stick with the more traditional ceramic or porcelain tile backsplash to stay within your remodeling budget. If you want something a little more unique, try using recycled or reclaimed materials to create a one-of-a-kind backsplash. For instance, designer Liz Lange used seashells and pearly accent tiles to create a one-of-a-kind coastal backsplash for her Nantucket-inspired kitchen.
Black granite countertops are a popular choice for contemporary kitchen designs because of their sleek and cool appeal. If you decide to go with a black countertop, select a backsplash with ribbons of other colors that complement the countertop and add depth to the room. In this kitchen, dark charcoal gray Negresco granite backsplash and coordinating Grosetto Calacatta Gold tile work together to achieve a cohesive aesthetic.
A backsplash is a natural focal point for your kitchen, so it’s a great place to showcase your personality and personal style. For instance, this kitchen features a bamboo-look backsplash to introduce an eye-catching texture. The textured backsplash coordinates with the wood-wrapped range hood and Cherry cabinets to tie in the kitchen’s warm, contemporary color palette.
You can also use a backsplash to create a unique visual accent, such as a statement stripe or herringbone pattern. A chevron pattern is eye-catching and energetic, while a herringbone pattern can add texture to the backsplash while maintaining a subtle appearance.
Cabinets
As a countertop material, granite brings the best of aesthetics and durability. Unlike wood, which can warp or crack over time, granite is nonporous and resists staining and other damage. The natural stone also comes in many different colors, allowing homeowners to create a kitchen that will impress guests and family members alike.
To enhance a kitchen’s appearance, you can add cabinetry that features a variety of styles and finishes. For example, cottage style cabinets feature an inset door and drawer front with classic paneling, while shaker-style doors are sleek and modern. Another option is to combine traditional wood kitchen ideas with the beauty of natural stone, such as a travertine backsplash or sandstone countertops.
Regardless of the type of cabinets you choose, an experienced kitchen designer can help you modify them for greater personalization. This includes up to 1/8-inch incremental adjustments in cabinet box sizes, finished interiors, beadboard ends or interiors, glass-ready open-front or mullion doors, storage units, angled end cabinets, and picture-frame construction.
You can also choose to upgrade your kitchen’s storage with a pantry cabinet, which features inner drawers for storing food and other items. This can be a great way to keep your kitchen organized and clutter-free. Alternatively, you can opt for a top cabinet, which is designed to fit on the surface of your refrigerator or freezer. This can be a great way to hide those unsightly appliances and free up valuable space in your kitchen. For cabinet finishes, you can choose from a wide range of colors, including muted jewel tones like deep sapphire blues and mystifying emerald greens. Other choices include warm whites and beiges. A glossy finish on the cabinets reflects light and brightens your kitchen, while hiding smudges and smears. Moreover, this type of finish is easy to clean and is resistant to heat and moisture, which can cause wood cabinets to warp or shrink over time.
Flooring
Granite counters are a durable material that will last for years. They can withstand heat and won’t etch or scratch like other materials, such as marble. Whether you choose a white or dark granite counter, it will work with any style of home décor. It can even be used as a coffee table, as long as you use a thick, soft rug to protect the granite from scratches. Granite is very dense and is resistant to stains and dents, so it can be used in heavy traffic areas.
Black granite countertops are a sophisticated choice for modern kitchens. They can work with any type of wall color or cabinet finish, but they also look beautiful with chrome fixtures and appliances. Many black granite varieties have speckles or veins of other colors, which add interest and depth to each inch of the counters. For example, the gorgeous Pitaya White granite looks like a speckled bird’s egg. This makes it a unique, elegant option for any kitchen.
A beige granite counter is a more neutral choice. It can go with any color scheme and works well with metals, woods, and other materials. If you prefer to avoid a stark contrast, consider choosing a beige countertop with subtle undertones of brown or tan.
Beige is also a great option for contemporary homes with bolder colors. Muted jewel tones, such as mysterious sapphire blues and mystifying emerald greens, can complement the natural tones of beige granite.
Quartz is another popular surfacing material that can work with a range of design styles. Quartz is a nonabsorbent material, so it won’t stain easily. It’s also nonporous, which makes it hygienic and bacteria-resistant. In addition, it is easy to clean and requires very little maintenance.
If you’re interested in quartz, you may want to consider a Cambria counter. This stone is similar to granite, but it’s more durable and requires less maintenance. One example of a quartz counter is Fusion Blue quartzite, which has a striking, deep blue color that will make a statement in your kitchen.
You can also find granite tiles that offer a modern twist on classic flooring patterns. A herringbone or chevron pattern can be paired with granite tiles to create a timeless, luxurious look in any room. This is especially effective in large rooms where a herringbone or chevron floor can help define the different zones.