Best Kitchen Countertops for White Cabinets: Quartz, Granite, Colors & More

Homeowners often pick white for cabinets because of its classic, timeless appearance and ability to go with any design style. White cabinetry is also a very safe choice for homeowners looking to sell their home in the near future, because of its appeal to a wide range of buyers.

What many people don’t talk about, however, is what countertop goes best with your kitchen cabinets. Should you pick quartz, a natural stone, or a wood countertop? What is the best color countertop for white cabinets?

The good news is that white kitchen cabinets will match with any countertop material or color. The choice really comes down to your preference and the kitchen style you are looking for. You may also want to consider what existing patterns or colors you need to match, such as flooring, paint, or tile.

Whether you are looking for an all-white kitchen or white cabinets with contrasting countertops, or something in between, there are many countertop options for you to consider when planning your new kitchen.

Quartz Countertops With White Cabinets

Arguably the most popular countertop options of the last five years, quartz has nearly the same durability of granite, without the need for annual sealing. Quartz countertops are a manufactured product made up of over 90% natural quartz, bound by resin and pigments.

As a manufactured product, quartz is available in virtually endless color and style options, from more subtle to bold & colorful statement pieces.

One of the main drawbacks to quartz countertops is that they tend to be more expensive than a granite or a laminate countertop, although the price depends on the color you choose.

Popular Quartz Colors With White Cabinets

Granite Countertops With White Cabinets

A wide variety of materials are available for your kitchen countertops. Some of the most popular materials include granite, quartz, laminate, and wood. Each material possesses a distinct set of traits that may make it a more or less viable option for your kitchen remodel.

Granite countertops are a popular, natural stone countertop option for today’s kitchens and baths, primarily because of its balance between affordability and market availability.

Granite is an exceptionally durable material when cared for properly, boasting high heat & scratch resistance. Mined from all over the world, granite has thousands of naturally beautiful color options to choose from.

The best part about granite is that each slab is inherently unique, making your kitchen truly one-of-a-kind. Keep in mind, however, that a granite countertop will need to be sealed on a semi to annual basis to maintain optimum appearance.

Popular Granite Colors With White Cabinets

Laminate Countertops With White Cabinets

Known as one of the more affordable countertop options, laminate countertops are made by gluing a veneer to a piece of particleboard.

While laminate does not have the heat, scratch or water resistance of other countertop materials, some homeowners prefer laminate for its affordability, and there are many color options available to give your kitchen design an appealing look at an affordable price. The most well known brands of laminate countertops are Wilsonart & Formica.

Laminates have come a long way in terms of colors and style options. However, many homeowners tend to think of laminate as a dated material. If you are planning to sell your home soon, you may want to consider low-cost granite or quartz colors instead, to attract more buyers.

Sample Laminate Colors for White Cabinets

Wood Countertops With White Cabinets

Wood countertops, also known as butcher block, is an appealing countertop option with white cabinets because of its inherent ability to add warmth & nature to any kitchen design. The most well-known brand of butcher block is John Boos & Co. (Boos Block), but there are many options available to choose from.

The type of wood you choose will have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your wood countertops, so be sure to look samples of all your options before purchasing. Many retailers offer wood countertops in your choice of maple, cherry, red oak & walnut.

Keep in mind that wood countertops will require regular sealing and maintenance to maintain their initial appearance. Wood is also susceptible to high heat, moisture, and scratches.

For these reasons, we many homeowners choose to use wood countertops sparingly, as an accent piece, with their white cabinets, and a more durable material for the main part of the kitchen. Popular choices for wood countertops include islands, hutches, and dry bars.

Light vs. Dark Kitchen Countertops

Having white cabinets gives you the flexibility to pick any color countertop for your design.

The question is, what style of kitchen are you looking to achieve? The color you pick for your countertops has a substantial impact on the overall look and feel of your kitchen. Do you want a subdued, yet stylish look, or something dramatic and flashy?

Light Countertops With White Cabinets

Light countertops, by definition, reflect more light than dark countertops.

When you are considering whether to choose light or dark countertops, think about your space. Is it bright and open with plenty of light? Or is it smaller, with less lighting?

If you fall in the latter category, light countertops may be the best choice to pair with your white cabinets, as it will make your space feel bigger, cleaner & brighter. To keep the space from feeling too “clinical,” consider adding some contrast with colored specks, veining, or even an eye-catching tile backsplash.

This vintage white kitchen is paired with an off-white granite countertop. The white countertops do not exactly match the white cabinets, instead offering a warmer tone to complement & highlight the vintage finish of the cabinets. Brown specks throughout the natural stone complement the warm wood flooring, giving the room a cohesive look and feel.

White Quartz Countertops With White Shaker Cabinets

This white quartz countertop by Cambria offers a neutral white and gray design that serves as a focal point without bringing too much contrast to the kitchen design. The simple, classic appearance of the white shaker cabinets allows for a more dramatic countertop design to draw the eye and pairs nicely with the brown & gray tile on the floors.

Dark Countertops With White Cabinets

Larger, brighter kitchen spaces may benefit from a darker countertop, adding balance, warmth, and contrast. However, dark countertops tend to show dust, smudges, and scratches more prominently than lighter countertops. They may also require more frequent cleaning & maintenance.

A potential solution? Consider a leathered or honed finish for your stone countertop.

For example, these white shaker kitchen cabinets are paired with a dark gray granite countertop in a leathered finish. Leathered is a matte, textured countertop finish, and can be more forgiving with scratches and dust than the traditional polished look.

Other Design Considerations

Do you have a secondary cabinet color within your design? Or maybe you plan to add a tile backsplash once the cabinets and countertops are installed?

The best countertop for your white kitchen cabinets is one that ties the whole room together. For example, if you are pairing your white kitchen cabinets with a blue island, you may want to choose a countertop with hints of blue, like Cambria® Portrush.

Your tile backsplash also plays a factor in your countertop selection. A bold countertop choice may require a more subtle backsplash, so the design does not look too “busy,” and vice versa.

Flooring, hardware, appliances & home décor are other factors that you should also consider when choosing the best countertop for your white cabinets. You want your kitchen to blend with the rest of your home, not stick out like a sore thumb.

Need Help Choosing the Best Countertop for Your White Cabinets?

Norfolk Kitchen & Bath is here to help!

We offer thousands of white cabinet and countertop combinations for your kitchen or bath project. Our expert design team will help you sort through the thousands of countertop combinations to find the ideal choice for your remodel. Norfolk offers all the most popular countertop options, from granite, quartz, laminate, wood and so much more.

Stop by one of our six design showrooms in Massachusetts & New Hampshire or schedule your free design consultation to get started today!

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