When planning a kitchen renovation, plenty of choices must be made. Cabinets, countertops, walls, and flooring are all major elements of the space’s design and must complement each other visually while still being as functional and durable as possible.
White shaker cabinets are the most versatile option, working in many different types and styles of kitchens. However, choosing the right pieces to complement them can be tricky.
Here are our tips for choosing the best countertops to complement your white shaker cabinets.
Choosing the Right Countertop Material for White Shaker Cabinets
Depending on your kitchen needs and habits, you can choose from several different countertop materials. You will need to consider and prioritize different features, like whether you want a countertop that will hide knife marks or food stains over one that is eye-catching and stylish or vice versa.
The most common materials for kitchen countertops include stones, laminate, wood, and concrete, but each has pros and cons.
Granite Countertop
Granite countertops were once considered the utmost in luxury, but they have become more common and affordable! — over time.
They are durable and heat resistant but require sealing to prevent stains. They come in various colors, from white to red to black to blue. You can find a granite countertop that will suit your kitchen style, no matter what.
Marble Countertop
Marble is a high-end option that can look striking in many kitchens. However, it’s not as durable as other surfaces. Marble may show knife scars and need to be sealed repeatedly.
Quartz Countertop
Quartz is an increasingly popular choice for countertops, especially as more color options are becoming available. Quartz is an extremely durable material that doesn’t require sealing, which is perfect for those who want to do food prep directly on their countertops.
Concrete Countertop
Concrete is extremely hard and durable, which makes it a great work surface. It won’t show scratches from knife marks or retain heat damage. But there aren’t as many options for style as some of the other surfaces.
Concrete countertops are great for an industrial-style kitchen, but they may look out of place in other homes.
Laminate Countertop
Plastic laminate countertops are among the most ubiquitous kitchen surfaces. They are surprisingly durable and resilient and are one of the more affordable options on the market. They are also available in many colors and styles and often in easy-to-install sheets.
Ceramic Tile Countertop
Ceramic tiles are more often found in floors and backsplashes, but the look can make a striking countertop. Ceramic tiles should be installed over an existing laminate or cement countertop and is a great way to refresh an existing space.
Tiles are an affordable option that offers many design choices and styles. However, the grout must be resealed regularly to keep the countertop in its best shape.
Wood Countertop
If you’ve ever used a wood cutting board, you know it’s a great option for a work surface. So why not extend that to a wood countertop? Wood countertops are heat-resistant, durable, and quite stylish.
You can choose from maple, cherry, walnut, or oak woods or use different stains to achieve the desired look. Unfortunately, wood countertops require maintenance to prevent warping and cracking and may show knife marks over time.
How to Pick The Color
Once you’ve settled on the right material for your countertops, you can take the color and style into consideration.
White shaker cabinets look good in many different kitchens, from modern to traditional. The color choice that’s right for you will depend on your taste and the overall style of the home. Here are some color selection tips.
Work With The Room
Your kitchen likely already has a color scheme, or you may have one in mind. With your white cabinets, you can go bold and choose a dramatic color that really pops or opt for a neutral to keep a calm and sophisticated appearance.
A good tip is to choose a countertop with veins or splashes of a color you want to use in the room, like marble with elements of blue and grey, so that it subtly matches the room.
If you’re choosing a marble with a bold vein, you’ll still want the countertops to be the kitchen’s focal point. You can even use the same stone for your counter and backsplash, creating a dramatic statement.
Look for Undertones
You might think white cabinets are the blankest slates, but even white can have different shades and undertones. If you’ve chosen a warmer white with hints of cream or beige undertone, cool-toned countertops in blue or green will exaggerate their warmth and can potentially cause a color clash.
This is especially important if you want to pair white countertops with your white shaker cabinets. A quartz countertop in white or off-white with a light fleck or grain can look very contemporary and modern, but the whites need to work together.
Try bringing swatches with you as you shop to compare the shades: the final effect needs to look clean, and contrasting undertones can cause the warmer shade to look dirty or dull.
Don’t Forget the Accessories
If you’re considering a solid-color countertop in your kitchen, it can look cold or even boring without other elements to create visual interest.
Think about the tile backsplash, wall paint, and floors you want to incorporate: Are they simpler, modern, or stylized and patterned? A simple room can play with a multicolored or dramatic countertop, while a busy and colorful room would look best with simpler, solid counters.
If you want a touch of drama, try black or charcoal countertops with your white shaker cabinets, with a few darker accessories throughout the kitchen, like black cabinet knobs and pulls, to create a crisp look.
