Black Granite Countertops Are the ‘Little Black Dress’ of Kitchen Remodeling

The look of black granite countertops is as timeless as the little black dress. Elegant, luxurious, and easily adaptable to any situation, black granite countertops are an excellent addition to nearly every kitchen. In this article, we’ll take a look at the similarities between that little black dress you keep around for every occasion, and the countertops that will help your kitchen be just as versatile.

Easy to Dress Up

Black granite countertops blend seamlessly into a high-end kitchen. Paired with white cabinets and stainless steel appliances, there are few things you could add to your kitchen that would be as dramatic and attractive an accent. Dress them with more contemporary cabinetry and a flat nose edge to provide a sleek, high-end, modern look. Up the elegance by embellishing the edges with the countertop equivalent to lace – attractive bevel, ogee, triple pencil, chiseled, or chamfer edging.

What you put on top of your countertops makes a difference, too. Add displays of decorative fruits or flowers, keep the areas clean apart from aesthetic accents, and choose hardware and fixtures carefully to help play up the beauty of this natural stone.

Casual Made Simple

Love the look of black granite, but hate the idea of over-the-top luxury? Don’t worry. Black granite works well in any setting. Stick with clean lines, and edge your countertops with flat polish, crescent, or half bullnose edges to make the room feel more casual and relaxed. For a downhome, country or folksy feel, consider a full bullnose or demi bullnose edge. You’d be surprised how much impact a little edge styling can make.

Think of your backsplash tiles as the jewelry that accompanies your little black dress. Pick casual tile styles, and the countertop will still look great, but have a relaxed, informal feel. If your goal is a casual space, stay away from fancy glass tiles – look into hand-painted designs, subway tiles, or fun and quirky patterns.

Great for Parties

At social gatherings, the crowd almost always flocks to the kitchen. Unless you’ve got an apartment or galley-style space, you can almost bet on it being a center of attention during parties. Black countertops look incredible at parties, and can make your dessert and buffet trays look that much more appetizing. Guests will ooh and ah over the countertops as much as they will the food, though – be prepared.

For special occasions, black granite countertops help the colors of festive decorations pop. They make cleanup a breeze by helping you see where the mess is, and they don’t show staining from spilled drinks or treats as readily as other shades of granite.

Black granite countertops guard the cool air, helping serving plates to maintain their chill a little longer, and cutting back on the amount of ice you’ll need. Prep for the party by making chocolates on the countertop surface. If you had granite remnants left from your countertop installation, have them shaped into coasters – this quick and inexpensive trick adds a touch of elegance that guests can carry with them throughout the house, and keeps your home coordinated at the same time. You’ve already paid for the stone. Use it!

Lots of Styles

Like the iconic little black dress, black granite countertops come in a wide variety of styles to fit all tastes. We’ve discussed some of the edge trims available, but consider the colors of the stone itself carefully, too. Black granite is available in numerous patterns. Some of the most popular choices are Absolute Black, Black Pearl, Cambrian Black, Impala Black, Indian Black, and Titanium. Other top picks include Arabian Black, Black Galaxy, and Black Tiger. Over 150 colors of black granite exist, all of which make excellent countertop choices. Go with your personal style – black granite can show it off, no matter what pattern you choose.

Keep in mind when you choose your stone that it varies from batch to batch. Try to see a few samples from the same region and of the same type before making a final decision. Some black granite carries strong patches of white, gold, or blue flecking and swirls. Others include distinctive marbling or an iridescent shine. If you love the look of a specific set of black countertops, find out what specific color was used – you’ll get a result closer to what you are looking for if you’ve seen the stone used as a countertop and know what the overall pattern will resemble.

Black granite countertops can make whatever statement you desire – bold, dramatic, elegant, fun, classy, and relaxed. They blend easily with any kitchen style, and keep things interesting in the kitchen. Take the time you need to choose the right one, just as you would your little black dress. These treasures will last a lifetime, with a timeless look that’s perfect for your personality.