Kitchen Countertops: Colors and Materials

Whether you choose black or white, granite or tile, the options for kitchen countertops can feel overwhelming. Read on to find ideas and inspiration to help you make the best choice for your lifestyle.

This chic, high-contrast kitchen gets a shot of energy from its gorgeous green island countertop and tile backsplash. Subtle decor allows the vibrant color to shine.

The traditional layout of this open kitchen offers the perfect setup for dining and entertaining friends and family. At the centerpiece is a stunning, green stone countertop on the oversized kitchen island that ties in with the dark wood cabinetry and green-and-brown mosaic tile backsplash.

Contemporary glass globe pendant lights keep with the airy feel of this kitchen by allowing light to pass through them. A black concrete countertop on the island withstands any kind of kitchen prep and serves as a grounding element in this space.

Glass globe pendant lights add contemporary flare to this classic white and gray kitchen. A black concrete countertop holds up to daily wear on the prep area. Purple and green flowers enliven the neutral space.

This sleek, yet quaint farmhouse kitchen features both period and modern elements, including Mid-Century-inspired barstools and a traditional apron sink. Green is a motif that repeats throughout, on the countertop, the light fixtures and even the window casings. A contemporary color palette and modern furnishings transformed this once dark and dated home into a livable and family-friendly country house.

The details are what make this charming, yet modern farmhouse kitchen. Green marble countertops extend to the apron sink to create a continuous line. The color is repeated on the window casings for a crisp, modern effect. Brass hardware and fixtures fit with the home's historic character and yet also are "right now."

This kitchen's rift and sawn-cut white oak floors are 8-inch planks that were fitted and finished to match the existing floor in the family and dining rooms. The wood's warm color picks up the shade of the island's Palomino Quartzite countertop.

Prep work gets a very sophisticated upgrade with this stainless steel Kallista sink by Mick De Giulio and Palomino Quartzite countertop. A Dorenbracht faucet nicely complements the sink's scale.

The navy blue waterfall edge countertop frames the beautiful blue-and-white hand-stamped tile on the bar. Wooden barstools with nailhead details have a modern Moroccan look that enhances the Mediterranean-inspired style of this bar area. A stone accent wall adds texture and interest to break-up the all-white walls and ceilings.

Chunky pieces of stone in the navy blue quartz countertop gives the look of an agate countertop. Blue-and-white hand-stamped tile adds Spanish-style flair to the bar.

A kitchen island with a live-edge walnut countertop is the star of this kitchen. The rustic touch is echoed in the trim of the range hood, adding warmth to the steel-paneled appliances.

The unique kitchen island features a top made from live-edge walnut, bringing an organic element into this rustic, contemporary space. On the cooktop wall, cabinetry is constructed from hot-rolled steel panels, and rough-hewn walnut continues with the custom hood.

High ceilings and windows set the tone for this historic transitional space, which marries period-appropriate finishes with updated details. Original hardwood flooring was refinished, adding patina and charm that’s set off by a rustic-look, farmhouse-style island with a functional and stylish soapstone top. A neutral palette ensures the kitchen feels open and bright.

A built-in china cabinet and hutch features inset doors and lighted upper shelves, bringing modern convenience to this historic transitional kitchen. An antique bench was the source for the center island, which now features a new soapstone countertop. The hardwood floors are original to the house. A light, neutral palette keeps the kitchen feeling bright and open.

This bold, eclectic kitchen features rich brown cabinetry throughout, a spacious island with an extended countertop for dining and lime green accents.

This bright and open eclectic kitchen features a spacious island with seating, lime green pendant lights and a warm orange and neutral color scheme.

The waterfall kitchen island boasts a bright blue countertop that complements the red details found throughout the space. Concrete flooring connects the kitchen to the dining and living spaces, adding flow to the design.

Five chunky barstools line the kitchen island to provide an eat-in space in addition to prep space. Bold yellow countertops, a blue waterfall countertop on the island and bright red pendant lights bring splashes of primary color to the palette.

The homeowner wanted a retro kitchen with modern conveniences, and Jackson Design and Remodeling delivered with a sunny, yellow space that straddles both the 19th and 20th centuries. Buttery yellow appliances, tile and flooring recall the past while providing all the function of today.

New windows and the yellow tile countertop and backsplash each come with black trim, offering a bit of a modern edge to this retro style kitchen. The stars of the space are the brand-new retro-inspired stove and sink, which help complete the 1950s feel of the space.

The professional, chef kitchen pairs sleek beech cabinets with a coffee-toned stain with contemporary white countertops. The kitchen offers the entire line of Miele appliances, including a built-in espresso maker, steam oven and an induction cooktop.

A cool gray waterfall countertop is paired with sleek black barstools for an eat-in kitchen. The contemporary kitchen features plenty of storage with dark brown cabinets and floating shelves, while bright white countertops create a striking contrast.

The dining bar's richly veined white marble creates a bold visual impact and unifies the kitchen's black-and-white color scheme. Bright white cabinets bring a stark contrast against solid black countertops — creating sleek, clean lines in this sophisticated space.

Bold, colorful hues lend instant energy and pizzazz to this modern kitchen. A spacious island with a raised orange countertop and mod barstools provides a spot for casual dining.

A large kitchen island is the focal point of this modern kitchen. The bold orange countertop on the island adds a vibrant color as well as ample work space. A long, untreated wood dining table with matching chairs blends beautifully with the light hardwood floor. A large sliding glass door lets natural light brighten the room.

The galley kitchen's monotone look uses subtle pattern for visual interest: The floor features chevron stripes. Countertops are striped, too, white with pale gray. And the ceiling's exposed beams are a strong horizontal line.

This kitchen has a mix of dark wood countertops and cabinets and white countertops and white cabinet trim. Stainless steel appliances were selected for the space.

Soft gray-blue cabinetry surrounds this spacious kitchen with solid white countertops. A white farmhouse sink blends seamlessly with the white counters while blue kitchen island has a black granite countertop to add contrast to the space.

This kitchen seems to be all white, but actually slight variations of the shade make the look warm and not too sterile. Off-white cabinets complement low-maintenance quartz countertops. The backsplash is marble.

A large kitchen island offers ample space for food prep and dining in the stylish contemporary kitchen of a San Jose Del Cabo, Mexico, home. The kitchen looks out to the home's shady courtyard, accessible through large French doors.

This light and bright kitchen features gray and white marble countertops paired with white glass front cabinets and a fun white tile herringbone backsplash. Paisley print wallpaper decorates the back of the cabinets, adding a funky touch to the space.

The homeowners wanted a kitchen that felt modern, yet comforting, so designers mixed a soft blue color scheme with striking, white countertops to create this elegant, transitional kitchen design. To extend the space's functionality, stylish upper and lower cabinets were added for plenty of storage, while the long island, which serves as the centerpiece of the space, is full of drawers for even more storage.

Long stone countertops run the length of this spacious modern kitchen. A mix of neutral stone and tile creates variety and texture in the monochromatic space.

As a focal point for this dramatic space, the design team chose beautiful Azul Macauba, a blue stone from Brazil, to top the oval-shaped island. A whimsical blue backsplash, in a swirling pattern, complements the blue counters and ties in the white cabinetry in the space.

The biggest problems to be solved in this kitchen makeover? Not enough storage or useable space. For a lighter, more open feel, designers framed the range with two windows repurposed from another part of the house. Ceiling-high cabinets were given glass doors, more shelving with an airy look!

A butcher block countertop and exposed beams give rustic friendliness to this open concept kitchen. A stainless steel range hood and dark blue cabinetry add a refined feel.

A modern gray kitchen with gray granite countertops, as seen on HGTV's Flip or Flop Vegas.

Floor-to-ceiling cabinets provide much-needed storage, while the blue island adds a punch of color and the perfect spot for eating and doing homework. The entire space is designed to be family friendly, but still embraces luxurious materials, like granite countertops and mirrored tile backsplash.

Deep forest green marble countertops add gorgeous color to this kitchen design. A large, white farmhouse sink is fitted into the counter below the natural light of a trio of windows. Exposed wood ceiling beams compliment the wood finish of the island fixed under the lantern pendant light with heart trim.

Patterned tan-and-white tile is a pretty way to give a boost to this kitchen's clean, neutral look. The pendants pick up on the backsplash's diamond shape.

The large walnut island centers the open plan kitchen, providing extra counter and storage space. Oversized windows offer an uninterrupted view of the outdoors.

To improve mobility between this kitchen and the adjacent dining area, the designers removed a right-angled wall and sculpted a smooth curve between the two spaces.

Every part of the loft was used efficiently, even the exposed brick wall in the kitchen for storing pots and pans. The concrete countertop adds a modern edge to the breakfast bar.

Chunks of glass pieces are integrated into this kitchen countertop and smoothed out for a nice finish to the prep area.

Large, neutral tiles ground the open, eat-in kitchen, where warm wood cabinets combine with cool gray countertops. Upper glass cabinets add an airiness to the space, while comfortable armchairs surround the sleek round dining table.

Wood accents pair nicely with the blue in this contemporary kitchen featuring wooden booth seating and a blue speckled, marble countertop.

To reflect the openness of the home, no upper cabinets were used in the kitchen. Bright red cabinets are paired with sleek stainless steel countertops, while built-in cabinets around the room offer much-needed storage.

A step-up bar provides a cozy dining spot for two on the edge of this stunning French country kitchen. Granite countertops in a subtle blue hue pair with pale green and off-white cabinets, creating an understated color palette that oozes elegance.

This gourmet kitchen features white cabinetry, stainless steel stove and Carrara marble countertops and backsplash.

This large dark brown kitchen island features a stone countertop with prep sink. It's situated beneath a creative track light frame suspended beneath a ceiling with exposed beams.

Dove gray and crisp white create a fresh setting in the home's gourmet kitchen.

This incredible kitchen looks as though it could have been built 100 years ago...but it wasn't. Reclaimed wood floors and thick wood beams layer on the charm. And there's a gas powered fireplace.

A stark white waterfall counter seating area matches well with white beamed ceilings and walls. Just through the retractable glass doors, see a huge al fresco dining table. No matter where you choose to enjoy a meal, the view of the Aegean is incredible.

Taking full advantage of the large window natural light, this dining area and kitchen are open and bright. A large center island with granite countertops provides plenty of space for serving friends and family.

This chef's kitchen has everything the owners could possibly need: floor-to-ceiling cabinets, a stainless range, an island for meal prep and a peninsula with four acrylic barstools for guests. For the sake of cohesion, the designers used a marble peninsula topper to match the marble backsplash.

This beautiful eat-in kitchen features a blend of contemporary and craftsman styles. Earth tones and stainless steel appliances pair to create a space that is peaceful and inviting.

A black range hood, wood countertops, light gray cabinets and a teal island put a PNW twist on this eat-in kitchen. The glass tile backsplash speaks to that design as well, as its dark hues evoke thoughts of a rainy day in Seattle.

White statuary marble crowns the custom white cabinetry in this bright, open kitchen. Geometric detail on the pendant light shades is echoed on the glass-front cabinets, creating a seamless design.

Stylish white cabinets with a matching range hood line the wall in the open design of this eat-in kitchen. A decorative neutral and brown tile backsplash matches the hues in the copper-colored marble countertops. The water color look on the green, yellow and blue pendant lights adds life and color to the space.

After walls were removed, this Fixer Upper kitchen has much more room. To maximize the functionality of this space, Chip and Joanna added a large kitchen island that added more counter and prep space, as well as gave the family a place to sit down for a casual meal. Joanna continued her rustic industrial style in the kitchen, painting the cabinets to match the trim and molding throughout the first floor. She also added industrial pendant lights, an industrial style sink and rustic industrial barstools to complete the look.

The farmhouse-inspired kitchen has a large irregular-shaped island with barstool seating at one end. Rustic stone, the same used on the house's exterior, creates a beautiful focal wall around the wood-fire oven.

With all-white cabinets and a matching subway tile backsplash, this open plan kitchen called for countertops that would create a cool visual contrast. The designers chose a dark black -- almost onyx-like -- granite and added it to the island, too, to tie the space together.

Minimal upper cabinets let the look of this well-equipped kitchen be light and open; lots of drawers provide plentiful storage.

As seen on Fixer Upper, to help add dimension and depth to this renovated kitchen space, Joanna created a custom, raised ceiling just above the dual kitchen islands. This allowed her to incorporate more wood into her design, creating a more unique, more rustic, more elegant space.

This transitional eat-in kitchen features white Shaker style cabinets paired with black countertops and light gray walls. Lucite countertop stools line the kitchen island, while two metal pendant lights hang above, illuminating the space. Hardwood floors add a finishing touch.

This adorable country kitchen features a tongue-and-groove wood ceiling and rough-hewn window trim. Granite countertops, a stainless-steel farmhouse sink and white glass-front cabinets make it a fun and functional place to cook.

A picture window and sliding glass doors let in plenty of natural light, making this transitional kitchen feel brighter and bigger. The island with a marble countertop houses a white farmhouse sink.

This luxurious kitchen features a large wooden island with stone countertop as well as rustic wood flooring, distressed glass-front cabinets, and an indoor arbor with pendant lights.

A concrete waterfall countertop adds a sleek, industrial element to this charming white kitchen. Brick walls provide texture, while a window provides ample natural light.

This traditional kitchen is designed for a family and entertaining. It is open and easy for the cook to be part of the conversation. The white island features a soap stone countertop and prep sink.

This light and bright kitchen features white wood cabinets paired with charcoal soapstone countertops and a light gray tile backsplash. Custom pendant lights hang above the kitchen island, while wall-to-wall windows above the sink allow natural light to blood the space.

A unique natural wood table connects to the kitchen island in this open plan kitchen. A mix of natural light, recessed lighting and globe pendant lights illuminates the contemporary space.

The kitchen features custom inset painted white cabinetry with dark soapstone countertops and gray glazed subway tile backsplash, characteristic of a Cape Cod home. Custom wood hood over the range provides a beautiful focal point and better ventilation to the room.

Beadboard walls, open shelving and a white farmhouse sink lend a cottage feel to this stylish kitchen.

To give this warm, woodsy kitchen an energetic mid-century modern vibe, designer Magued Barsoum chose custom-colored cast concrete for the swoop of island countertop. Backsplash tiles in a similar turquoise tone create the perfect backdrop for a collection of richly hued ceramics.

This open plan kitchen features sleek white cabinets paired with a gray marble countertop and polished concrete floors. The ample space allows room for a small breakfast nook with a round table and several dining chairs, in addition to a convenient corner home office.

In this light-filled blue-and-white kitchen, a mix of materials helps break up the large expanse of the central island and define its multiple functions. For the prep zone, designer Kathleen Walsh chose Vermont White Quartzite while watershed-finished walnut warms up the breakfast bar area.

"Cast concrete is a truly handmade product that can be customized in a variety of ways and represents a design collaboration between the builder and the client," says designer Jayme Guokas.

Black cabinets with slim metal hardware create a sleek look. A large kitchen island with double sinks and a think gray marble countertop takes anchors this spacious room.

This spacious, custom kitchen exudes Old World elegance. The range is dramatically framed by carved cabinetry and a graphic tile backsplash, while a large island provides seating.

The new peninsula and perimeter counters have an engineered quartz top in white with gray veining. Modern metal and wood stools offer seating at the peninsula. Two metal pendant lights feature a copper finish and large bulbs provide a warm glow.

White, Carrara marble countertop surrounds a farmhouse sink on this contemporary kitchen island. The space boasts an open-concept design, allowing natural light to sweep through the arched, sitting room windows. The overall effect is airy and fresh.

This kitchen includes white cabinets extending to the ceiling, concrete countertops, subway tile and an antique copper vent hood.

Stainless steel countertops aren’t just for sleek modern spaces. Here, Dave Vogt of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., used the metal in a country-style kitchen, where the gleaming surface contrasts beautifully with exposed brick and the well-worn bottoms of the homeowners’ cookware. Over time, the counters may scratch and show wear – but that’s part of their charm in a space like this – and they are super durable.

Two countertops? Twice as nice! A center island topped with quartz by Cambria is a functional focal point in this kitchen by Denise Wenacur of DW Design & Decor, and the countertops around the room’s perimeter are solid black granite. “That mix – and those materials – represent the most current countertop trends,” Wenacur says.

Large arched windows and exposed brick wall and beams give this loft-style kitchen an urban feel. A copper range hood hangs by the layered white cabinets, and a large black island with a marble countertop contrasts beautifully with white and wood elements. A variety of pendant lights illuminates the room and large black-and-white artwork on the staircase wall.

The use of both straight and curved lines creates a natural visual flow in this modern kitchen. The wall that could be seen as a design hurdle is used as a focal point, featuring a stunning slab of yellow granite that showcases the bold, modern range hood.

White subway tile and white cabinets with glass doors make for a sleek, simple workspace around the sink of this contemporary kitchen.

A kitchen island sink is ideal when the space is being used for food preparation overflow. The kitchen island countertop is made from Heritage Wood distressed black walnut.

As seen on HGTV’s Property Brothers, Jonathan and Drew Scott kept this kitchen’s original cabinets intact but repainted them a soft yellow. The new spacious island features a bamboo countertop, while the existing granite countertops were complemented by a backsplash made from ceramic tiles.

This modern kitchen has plenty of windows to wash the space in natural light.

Sleek. minimalist yellow cabinets are the star of the modern-style galley kitchen. Stainless steel appliances, counter, range hood and industrial pendant lights complete the look.

This open blue contemporary kitchen features white cabinetry with a Wenge wood countertop. It offers great entertaining, eating and cooking areas. Patterns and textures play against one another for subtle and pleasing visual interest.

This creamy country kitchen features an all-brick fireplace wall sourced from the home's original chimney. The elaborate tin ceiling counterbalances the more rustic butcher block countertops and unadorned dining area furniture.

This rustic log cabin kitchen features a large distressed eat-in island, a wagon wheel chandelier, a wood ceiling with recessed lights, stone countertops and a farmhouse sink.