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bgrate1

Dark or light kitchen countertops?

Bonnie Grate
7 years ago

I used the Sherwin-Williams up to simulate the paint color that our cabinets are going to be. I cannot change the backsplash nor can I change the floor which is Saltillo tile. I am changing the countertops. Light or dark countertops?

Comments (27)

  • Elle
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Since you're keeping the backsplash and flooring, I would consider a different cabinet color that complements them. I would instead consider white/cream with an orange undertone.

  • purrmichigan
    7 years ago

    I can see that you're painting over older possibly oak cabinets. But, the color you chose is way wrong .... take your time and reconsider another color. It's too dark, too pink, too matt.

  • Bev
    7 years ago

    You asked about counter tops and I would suggest light counter tops that will help brighten your kitchen! Here is a great article that was posted on Houzz today regarding using light with darks to create a perfect balance of color:

    https://www.houzz.com/magazine/design-lesson-create-harmony-through-contrast-stsetivw-vs~67248978


  • PRO
    BeverlyFLADeziner
    7 years ago

    Do you have a picture of your kitchen without the applied simulated paint? Please post.


  • PRO
    Mountain MT Homes LLC
    7 years ago

    Yes light counter top as I see you want to show your cabinetry as the main look. That is a bright red color as I would think more toned down a little. Everyone has there taste and look, don't get me wrong.

    Ken


  • PRO
    BeverlyFLADeziner
    7 years ago

    I agree with puremichigan...........you color selection for the cabinets is a potential disaster in the making. Here are some examples of kitchens with tile like yours

    It will cost you less $$$ to replace the backsplash than to paint the cabinets and since your cabinets are white, if they are melamine faced, they cannot be painted successfully. The paint will peel off over time.

  • Melissa Gennello
    7 years ago
    Cabinet color needs to contrast the floor. The cabinet color you show here is too close to the floor color. It has no pop.
  • happyleg
    7 years ago

    I would paint cabinets black or cream, semi-gloss enamel. Counter tops, opposite ( light/dark ).

  • Lisa G
    7 years ago

    What is the name of the paint color you plan on using? It looks pink/mauve to me...not good. It also looks like you already have white cabinets and actually a pretty nice granite countertop.

  • PRO
    Mountain MT Homes LLC
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Yes agree with Lisa G as that look is a WOW WHAT when you enter the main and most popular room in your home!

    Ken

  • luisavanesa49
    7 years ago
    Maybe these photos might give you some ideas. Have fun with your kitchen.
  • Bonnie Grate
    Original Author
    7 years ago

    The color is supposed to be fireweed by sherwin Williams. The current granite is horrible close up; very busy with lots of pink tones. I was wanting a southwest vibe in the kitchen. Maybe keep the cabinets while with something as an accent? I did paint over some of the cabinetry to get a feel and it looks a lot better than the mock up. This is just one coat. Below is the white cabinetry with floor, current backsplash and counter tops. They just don't marry. If I keep the cabinets white, I assume I go dark countertops? But what? More black or brown? Again, need to pull all this together. Help!!

    I

  • Stacy Lawrence
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Light cabinets and counter. Yours floors and backsplash clash which is the reason you're going crazy...you can't tie things together that don't work. It's only going to get worse. Why not downgrade the countertop material and choose a much simpler inexpensive backsplash that way the only fixed element you have to work with is the floor, you're trying to match something with two different colors and undertones so any more colors in that small space is way too busy and overwhelming....visit MariaKillam.com asap and poke around her blog for the white kitchens link, backsplash and granite....you should get some clarity. no point in spending money and energy for something that won't work. You can do upgrades on a budget just remember the big picture. Good luck.

  • Stacy Lawrence
    7 years ago

    Not white, but a creamier or off white cabinet color...the southwest vibe should come through the accessories ie area rug, window treatment, a few vintage pcs here and there but the overall space should be calm and serene as a backdrop. Too many people do granite and busy backsplash tiles that clash and don't work, that's why you never see those styles in designs magazines because it's what homeowners do without the help of a designer. You may want to think about hiring one for an hour or two consult...could be the best money you spend before wasting time painting them burgundy only to hate it.

  • Bonnie Grate
    Original Author
    7 years ago

    I did hire a designer, and she is the one who came up with the red color for the cabinets.

  • susanalanandwrigley
    7 years ago

    Your current color scheme seems to work to me with your tiled floor. Your proposed red/burgundy does not look like it works with the floor. Perhaps instead of changing cabinet color you could concentrate on counter and backsplash, if you do not like it. You don't show closeups of that though what I can see looks nice as is too. Make sure you aren't just creating change for the sake of change. You can also change the look by changing hardware. We had similar tile on our floor (and painted white cabinets) before we redid our kitchen, and found nice hardware with a bit of a southwest vibe to perk things up when we first moved in, before we finally redid the entire kitchen.

  • PRO
    BeverlyFLADeziner
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    So the designer recommended this, but she didn't photo shop your kitchen to show you how this would appear when completed? Did you invite her back to see this color on your cabinet?


    \Bonnie..................this combination hurts my eyes. I wouldn't be able to work in a kitchen that is the color of raw meat.

  • Tammy Lawhorn
    7 years ago
    I'm sorry but this color is wrong for this kitchen. Something in a coordinating color would look much nicer and still can give you a southwestern look. Here's my suggestion for cabinets
  • lhutch13
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Yipes! Fire your designer if she said red cabinets. The problem is that none of your colors are cohesive. The floor, the granite counters, the backsplash, none of it matches. The white cabinets are the least of your problems. If you are keeping that floor, you need to change out the backsplash and possibly the countertop because none of them match.

  • Bonnie Grate
    Original Author
    7 years ago

    I'm hopeful if I change the backsplash and counters o can make the cabinets work. And I'll look for a new designer. Any suggestions for one in Tucson az?

  • PRO
    BeverlyFLADeziner
    7 years ago

  • stacyh7
    7 years ago

    It's really busy with the different colors and surfaces. The granite might be the most expensive thing in your kitchen that isn't appliances. Why not work with it instead of fighting it? Granite and carrara are really expensive, while tile is much less, and paint is minimal expense. If you're planning on living in this home forever, and you really love the red, I guess carry on. But if you ever want to sell this house, this is a mistake. I would run if I came to an open house. I know cabinets can be changed, but kitchen is the most important thing I looked at when I was searching for a house, so I didn't want to do a complete tear out. I wanted an area that would be great for me to cook in (bright, clean, updated, spacious), and then one that guests would enjoy hanging around the breakfast bar/island for appetizers or chatting while I finish food prep.

    The other issue I see is that all the dark cabinets make the space appear smaller. Studies show red also makes some people more tense. Just because someone is a designer doesn't mean you have to do everything s/he says. A second opinion may be in order with someone else in the design group?

  • acm
    7 years ago

    I agree with the sage green, or if you're looking to go overtly Southwestern, then maybe go for a strong gold/ochre rather than that galling red.

    Here are a few examples...


    Showcase 2011 - Artist's Retreat · More Info

    Color Splash · More Info

    Lake Retreat · More Info

    Historic Renovation · More Info

    Obviously only a couple of these are Southwestern -- you can see that the colors could let you go more farmhouse or more French country, too, if desired. The second photo makes me think that the gray backsplash might be made to play nice too.

  • PRO
    Bonnie Grate thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • Bonnie Grate
    Original Author
    7 years ago

    We are going to change the backsplash and counters. Something like this - just over the stove the rest will be a solid of one of the lighter colors in the mosaic tile.

  • lhutch13
    7 years ago

    Much better!

    Bonnie Grate thanked lhutch13
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