How to Select the Right Granite Countertops for Your Kitchen

Guest Blogger #476, Entry #1104, April 18, 2012

Whether you’re building a new one or renovating the one that’s already in your home, when it comes to completing the look of a kitchen, you might want to consider using granite countertops. They’re modern, they’re efficient and they’re also a really good investment in any house because while other items like carpet, paint and even cabinets can cause a home to look dated over time, once you’ve installed granite countertops, they tend to be a house addition that remains for decades to come.

So now that you haven’t received a brief introduction on why you should go with granite, the next steps to take are deciding which kind of granite countertops are best for you. Here are three things to factor in before making your selection.

Tips for selecting colors of granite and types

Image via: Apartment Therapy

What Color and Kind?

Another thing that makes going with granite a wise decision is that it comes in a variety of colors and even types. Let’s go with the kinds of granite countertops that are available first. Generally, you can go with black granite (a traditional and popular choice), gold granite (which requires a sealing every couple of years), faux granite (which is more cost-effective) and tile granite (for those who prefer more natural tones and/or the option of installing the countertops on their own). Other than with the black granite (for obvious reasons), the granite types come in a variety of colors to suit the overall color scheme of your kitchen. The rarest granite is considered to be rose. Although the color options basically run the gamut, in selecting a shade that’s best for you, remember to choose one that best complements not only the kitchen walls and cabinets, but the floor as well (furniture should be the last consideration on the list since that tends to be changed the most in a room).

What’s Next?

Being that granite colors come in everything from black and whites to blues and greens to basically every neutral tone you can think of, you’ve actually gotten over a huge hurdle once you’ve made your color selection. After that, make sure to ask yourself the following questions: How large is the kitchen? (You want to think about this because darker shades tend to make a room look smaller.) How much natural lighting comes into the kitchen? Does my color selection not only complement the floors and walls but also the hardware in the room? And finally, did I choose a color that’s practical should I choose to sell my house in the future? In order to come to a full resolve on questions like these, you might want to consult with an interior designer or contractor so that they can help you in considering options that you might not have thought of otherwise. Also, because they are experts in the field, they can help you to check for cracks in granite, inconsistent coloring throughout the slabs that you’re considering and any pits that may be in the material too.

Choose the right granite counter for your kitchen

Image via: Fancy Home Design

How Much?

When it comes to paying for granite countertops, the pricing does not present itself with a black-and-white answer, but there are some factors to consider before making your final selection. For one, there is a noticeable difference in price between tile vs. slab. Also, if you desire to have the granite in your home customized, the cost is considerably higher. Therefore, the best thing that you can do is shop around and compare prices before setting anything in stone (pun intended). For more information, either place “granite countertops” along with your city into your favorite search engine or visit GraniteCountertops.net.

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