

Opt for dark countertops for a striking look. (Image credit: Roundhouse) The pros of dark kitchen countertops ‘It requires a lot of maintenance to keep it looking its best for years to come,’ he says. ‘Homeowners need to be mindful of spills when preparing food.’ ‘Marble and granite can stain quite badly if red wine stain or tomato juice is left for too long on the surface,’ he says.Īlex Main emphasizes that clean-up of light countertops is something to be considered. Simon Temprell agrees that marking can be a problem. There are some excellent manmade quartz and granites which will give an almost identical effect while also going the distance.’ It can scuff and scratch and, as it’s porous, it is also prone to staining. ‘I’d never recommend real marble in a kitchen simply because it’s not durable enough. ‘We tend to use a lot of gray quartzites and white marble lookalikes in quartz,’ he continues. To avoid this, Richard Davonport of Davonport Kitchen & Home suggests, ‘There are some beautiful grays and greens about currently which are much more interesting options.’

Without any texture, dappling, or variation within the countertop material or finish, light countertops risk making the kitchen feel too clean and sterile when paired with light floors, walls and cabinets,’ he says. ‘Avoid light countertops in a single, plain color. White or cream kitchen countertops could also feel a bit characterless, he advises. ‘Sparkling, reflective finishes can reflect too much light, thus making the kitchen feel a little too dazzling,’ says Chris Dance. While their reflective nature is often a benefit of light kitchen countertops, it can be a disadvantage. ‘They work with a wide variety of cabinet and floor colors and finishes,’ says Chris Dance, head designer and director at InHouse Inspired Room Design. Light countertops can equally make it easy to choose flooring. ‘They will brighten up the space and can either be paired with dark cabinetry or light cabinetry, so they’re more versatile in terms of application within different types of kitchen styles,’ he says. Versatility is also a benefit of light countertops, according to Oliver Webb, director of natural and manmade surface specialists Cullifords. ‘Lots of people just love the freshness of kitchen that is various tones of light or white,’ says Julia Brown, design director, Mowlem & Co. Light kitchen countertops give the room an aesthetic many prefer. ‘A bright countertop is a great way to help give the illusion of space in small kitchens as the hue will help bounce and reflect light around the room, resulting in your kitchen feeling more airy and spacious,’ he explains. The reflective quality of light countertops can be a particular boon in compact rooms, says Alex Main, director, The Main Company.
