Granite remains a go-to choice for kitchen and bathroom countertops among homeowners looking to add high-end style with their remodel. There are actually many different granite countertop types to choose from. This natural stone varies in color, pattern, and even price.
Going to your local countertop store to view granite slabs in person is the best way to get a feel for the different styles and select the perfect one to match your vision. The wide range of natural granite patterns and textures allows plenty of options to suit any home decor style. Our guide describes the 10 most popular granite varieties and their unique features so that you can make an informed decision when selecting your new countertop.
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1. Alaska Granite
This white background granite with specks of contrasting black, brown, and grey has versatile appeal. Its lighter color palette pairs nicely with white cabinetry as well as darker woods. For those desiring a clean, bright aesthetic, Alaska Granite’s patterning and durability make it a timeless choice.
This natural stone continues gaining popularity for bath and kitchen countertops year after year. Homeowners’ remodeling aims to achieve more modern, open spaces that favor Alaska Granite for providing visual brightness. As one of the “whites”, it complements transitional styles well, although its neutral tones can fit contemporary to traditional spaces. Durable and low maintenance, white granite and black granite countertops resist stains, etching, and scratches.
2. Aspen White Granite
Aspen White granite kitchen countertops feature a soft white background with scattered gray and black flecks. This creates a subtle visual contrast for a lighter-toned natural stone. With polished finishing, the white background of real granite presents an airier, less weighty aesthetic than darker granites.
Often featured in lighter-toned kitchens and contemporary bathrooms, Aspen White granite offers budget-conscious homeowners the look of marble without high maintenance concerns. Resistant to staining and etching, the gray and black flecking minimizes visible signs of wear over time. Combined with crisp white cabinetry, it achieves a clean, visually soothing aesthetic.
3. Black Granite
Given natural stones rarely manifest pure black, most “black” granites actually incorporate rich, deep hues from brown absolute black and gray to gold within the swirling black background. Granite countertop types like Black Galaxy and Zimbabwe Black truly distill darker, bolder assertions.
Despite its brooding darkness, black granite suits classic to modern spaces. Its versatility pairs well with concrete, wood, or white paired finishes. Black granite makes any design statement more emphatic. Sophisticated yet imposing, it announces unabashed depth and drama. For anyone desiring an ambient, striking aesthetic from the muted to the boldly refined, black granite sets the tone and anchors the space.
4. Brown Granite
Earthy brown granite countertops infuse spaces with a sense of organic warmth. Variations showcase flowing dark brown burnt orange, caramel, and black tones to emulate elements from wood to leather. As one of the most versatile neutrals, rich brown granite feels at home in kitchens inspired by nature as readily as urban lofts.
Given coffee brown granite’s enduring appeal across color schemes, brown granite tiles beautifully into traditional, contemporary, and eclectic spaces alike. Pairing smoothly with materials from stainless steel to oak cabinets, schedules allowing customized finishing like antiquing introduces further character. Durable as it is adaptable, brown granite brings welcome depth across the living areas of life.
5. African Ivory Granite
African Ivory granite features a light ivory base with amber, black, and dark gray side accents. This striking blend of light and dark creates visual depth with warmth. The versatility pairs well with varied cabinetry and flooring choices.
This granite’s lighter ivory tones and neutral palette make it popular for opening up smaller kitchens or bathrooms visually. Cross-generational in appeal, African Ivory granite brings an approachable yet sophisticated look to spaces. Durable and low-maintenance, its glowing finish, natural tones, and hints of darker minerals ensure an enduringly fresh, lively aesthetic over years of use.
6. Colonial Granite
A refined white granite with wisps of mineral brown, Colonial White suits traditional kitchens as readily as urban contemporary spaces with its softened peach and tan earthy tones. This versatile Vermont granite color plays attractively off light wooden cabinets and warmer medium woods with understated vibrance. With a polished finish, Colonial White strikes an elegant balance, intricacy minus over-assertion, perfect for allowing other design elements to shine as the backdrop.
Suitable for everything from rustic country to modern designs in kitchens and baths, Colonial White’s subtle swirling patterns in white, peach, brown, and black aesthetically fit interior design goals emphasizing clean lines, airy brightness, and a welcoming atmosphere. Exceptionally stain and scratch-resistant, Colonial White granite delivers durability clad in exceptional natural beauty.
7. River White Granite Countertops
With its clean white background and intricate patterns of gray, black, and golden brown, River White granite manifests as exceptionally beautiful natural artistry. The swirling yet consistent patterning has made it a favorite among interior designers and homeowners wanting to incorporate mesmerizing, moodier granite color accents into lighter transitional kitchens or bath sanctuaries.
Showcasing coffee, tan, and darker brown tones along with steel gray and gold granite highlight against a luminous white background, River White granite proves highly adaptive. Combined with light wooden cabinets or darker rosewoods, its flowing mineral palette flatters classic to modern spaces with ease. Durable and heat-resistant, this popular granite countertop type performs beautifully as living spaces evolve over years of use.
8. Astoria Granite
With its subtle blend of light grayish-brown tones accented by black, gold, and white quartz flecks, Astoria granite manifests as exceptionally beautiful for kitchen and bath countertop projects. The understated interplay of neutral granite colors paired with glimmering mica makes Astoria granite highly adaptive style-wise from traditional to modern kitchens.
Showcasing steel gray and tan brown tones against a luminous background, Astoria granite aesthetically suits kitchen granite countertops in craftsman bungalows and contemporary loft spaces alike. Combined with light wooden cabinets or sleek lacquers, Astoria suits personal style preferences spanning classic to modern. Exceptionally scratch and stain-resistant, this Pennsylvania-quarried “natural stone” performs well over years of use.
9. Gray Granite
Encompassing lighter silver grays to richer blue grays, gray granite delivers depth as the ultimate versatile neutral. With unusual hints of striking patterns of black, white, or gold mineral veins and crystal flecks artfully distributed across its canvas, each gray granite slab manifests uniquely. Stone countertop material deftly walks the line between quietude and bold distinction.
At home in modern farmhouse kitchens as urban bath sanctuaries, gray granite pairs elegantly with “stainless” and chrome fixtures as readily as dark wooden cabinets. With their exceptional stain resistance and durability, gray granites like Baltic Brown, Silver Cloud, and Carnelian readily handle years of everyday living. For homeowners craving adaptable sophistication, few granite selections rival gray.
10. Blue Pearl Granite
Arguably one of the most vibrant granite countertop offerings, Blue Pearl Granite lives up to its name with its deep gray-blue background and elegant white accents. Mined in a vivid array of various shades from periwinkle blue to midnight, Blue Pearl Granite proves that exceptional beauty dwells as readily in showiness as subtlety. This adaptable Norwegian stone plays well contrasted against “white cabinets” and warm wood tones to dial the drama up or down.
At home grounding contemporary kitchens with energetic flair as anchoring the tranquility of spa-like master suites, Blue Pearl granite suits homeowners with aesthetic preferences spanning the yin-yang of striking elegance balanced by peaceful restoration. Durable, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean with mild detergent, Blue Pearl granite easily handles the demands of busy kitchen countertops and bath spaces day after day.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Kitchen Granite Countertop
When evaluating different granite countertop options, it helps to consider a few key factors to select the best stone for your kitchen or bath remodel. Here are tips for choosing a granite stone that aligns with your personal style and design vision:
- View actual slab samples at a stone supplier to get a first-hand sense of granite colors, patterns, and finishes. There’s no substitute for seeing the real stone rather than just photos when making this investment.
- Consider the cabinetry, flooring, and other materials in your space. The right granite plays off your existing features beautifully. Cool-toned Uba Tuba granite pops against warm wood while white Spring Valley granite pairs elegantly with white cabinetry.
- Take into account granite maintenance needs too along with aesthetics. Stain-resistant stones like Emerald Pearl suit cooks want to minimize visible seams and surface flaws from wear and tear over time.
- Determine whether you prefer a busier stone with intricate patterning or more subtle uniformity. Dramatic Blue Bahia granite grabs attention while beige-white Desert White floats quietly.
- Envision how different lighting could impact the granite colors in your space from daylight to incandescent evening bulbs. Some whites stay crisp while gray Venetian Gold granite shifts alluringly.
Evaluating these elements will help guide you to the ideal granite selection. A reputable supplier offers invaluable guidance in pairing discerning customers with their perfect slab. Ultimately the right granite countertop colors boils down to your favored aesthetic that will continue delighting you for years.
Final Thoughts
Choosing granite countertops involves weighing options – do you prefer low-maintenance practicality or striking visual flair? Keeping your personal style, kitchen cabinets, and lifestyle needs in mind will help determine the best granite to transform your space beautifully and functionally.
Nothing substitutes seeing the granite samples in real life before finalizing your selection. Pictures, as gorgeous as they appear, can’t fully convey the depth of color variations, natural patterning, and essence of these exceptional stones. A knowledgeable supplier guides you through choosing the perfect slab to match your vision.
