Avoid These Kitchen Counter Mistakes
These 3 countertop choices instantly make a kitchen feel outdated.
Small format tiles are inexpensive to install, but with long term maintenance costs.
Tile counters
Avoid small ceramic tiles of any color. I'm always surprised at how many kitchen still sport 4-inch square tiles on their countertops. It looks antiquated and is very impractical because every time you attempt to wipe down the tops, dirt and junk inevitably gets stuck in the grout. Furthermore, it requires regular cleaning and maintenance, to prevent the grout from discoloring.
If you must
If you like the look of stone but can't afford a large slab, then it's ok to go with a tile option but choose large-format tiles, with a minimum size of 12 x 24 inches per tile. This reduces the amount of grout needed.
Alternatively, if you gravitate towards the stylistic choice of small 4 x 4 inch tiles, then lean into hand-made tiles like Zellige, that celebrate imperfections and where inevitable chips and discolored grout will better blend in with the vintage charm. You can also source re-used tiles, for an eco-friendly approach.
Laminate counters have a visible seam at the edge
Laminate countertops
While the material has come a long way since the 1970s, it is still easily damaged by heat, scratches, and cuts. Because laminate is a veneer, those damages are impossible to repair. Excessive water can cause delamination, where the surface starts to bubble or peel off.
If you must
Laminate is an appropriate, budget-friendly choice in laundry rooms and occasional-use guest bathrooms. If you choose laminate, don't go for a solid color because they show all the dirt. Also make sure to shop in person, so you can see the quality of the surface pattern; many imitation stones and wood products look fine in a small website picture and look terrible in person. Choose a design with some subtle variation, such as speckles, terrazzo, or imitation concrete.
Dark granite on dark cabinetry
Dark granite countertops with cherry cabinets
Dark granite stone combined with cherry or stained alder cabinetry screams pre-2000 design. Flipping through old interior design photos, it's easy to spot a kitchen from the 1980s or 1990s when it features black or dark grey granite counters and cherrywood cabinetry. It's a combination that was overdone and the world moved on a long time ago. Contemporary kitchens seek more visual balance between materials, and usually lean for a lighter, airier overall effect.
If you must
If you like dark stone, consider using soapstone. It makes an excellent, durable kitchen surface and the subtle veining adds some movement and artistry that will never go out of style. If you do go with dark granite, then keep it contemporary by pairing it with cabinetry with modern profiles that is painted in moody colors such as aubergine or hunter green.
Tailored Solutions as a Design Standard
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