Matching paint colors to granite countertops can seem daunting, but with some basic color theory and tips, you can select paint colors that beautifully coordinate with your granite. Here’s what you need to know to make the perfect pairing.
What are the most important factors when matching paint to granite?
The most important factors to consider when matching paint colors to granite countertops are:
- The undertones and veins in the granite – Granite can have warm, cool, or neutral undertones that will clash or coordinate with paint colors.
- The natural colors in the granite pattern – Look at the different natural colors within the granite pattern and find paint colors within that color palette.
- The style of the kitchen or room – Modern kitchens suit bold, contrasting paint colors, while traditional kitchens suit softer, complimentary paint colors.
- The amount of granite versus paint – If there is a lot of granite, choose a matching subtle paint color as the granite will stand out. If there is more wall space, the paint color can make a statement.
- The light in the space – Natural and artificial light impacts how paint colors look on the walls, so test your paint samples at different times of day.
When matching paint to granite, you generally want to find colors within the granite to highlight, but that don’t completely blend in. The goal is to achieve a coordinated, harmonious look, not colors that clash.
What types of granite work best with what paint colors?
| Type of Granite | Best Matching Paint Colors |
|---|---|
| Black granite | Soft white, cream, light gray |
| Gray granite | White, light gray, beige |
| Brown granite | Neutral tans, warm grays, cream |
| Tan or beige granite | Chocolate browns, slate blues, sage greens |
| White granite | Light and bright colors – aqua, sky blue, yellow |
| Green granite | Sage green, cream, rust orange |
Granite with warm undertones matches best with earthy paint colors like tans, browns, warm grays, and mossy greens. Cool-toned granite pairs well with paint colors like light blues, grays, and greens. Neutral granite gives you the most flexibility. As a general rule, the more subtle the granite pattern, the more flexibility you have with paint colors. Bold granite limits your options but makes a more dramatic statement.
What types of paint sheens work best for kitchens with granite countertops?
The best paint sheens for kitchens with granite countertops are:
- Eggshell – Provides subtle shine that beautifully balances with granite’s reflective surface.
- Satin – A good mid-range sheen that resists staining and cleans well in kitchens.
- Semi-gloss – Very wipeable sheen, but make sure it isn’t overly shiny for the granite.
Avoid very matte sheens like flat or matte paint because they make the walls recede and granite stand out too much. High-gloss paint conflicts with granite’s shine. The optimal sheen has a soft glow to complement the granite.
What colors clash with popular granite types?
Some colors can clash or make popular granite varieties look unappealing. Avoid the following color mismatches:
- Black granite – Avoid dark paint colors, pure whites, or bright primary colors.
- Brown granite – Avoid bright, cool colors like pure blues, greens.
- Green granite – Avoid warm earth tones and reds.
- Tan/beige granite – Avoid light tans, creams, or whites.
- White granite – Avoid stark white, black.
- Gray granite – Avoid pale grays, greens, blues.
Clashing colors fight for attention, while colors within the same palette create harmony. Some contrast between the paint and granite can be striking but be cautious with bold opposing colors.
What are some popular paint colors that work with granite?
Here are some popular tried-and-true paint colors that coordinate beautifully with granite:
- Whites – Alabaster, Chantilly Lace, Swiss Coffee
- Grays – Revere Pewter, Worldly Gray, Edgecomb Gray
- Beiges – Khaki Beige, Lancaster Whitewash, Del Rey Sand
- Blues – Rainwashed, Breath of Fresh Air, Pale Sky
- Greens – Nile Green, First Light, Tradewind
These colors have versatile undertones that work with many granite varieties. However, always test your paint color with a granite sample before fully committing to the color.
How do you test paint colors against your granite?
It’s crucial to test paint colors next to your exact granite slab to see how the undertones interact in your lighting. Here’s how:
- Get granite samples from your countertop supplier in all shades of your slab.
- Paint 4×4 inch sample boards in your potential colors.
- Place boards against the granite samples in your kitchen at different times of day.
- Move the samples to see how the paint interacts with all parts of the slab’s pattern.
- Take photos to compare and help in your final selection.
Be thorough in testing. Shift the sample boards, observe in natural and artificial light, and photograph the pairings. Test limiting colors like bright white against the darkest granite sample to ensure it doesn’t clash.
What are some quick tips for gorgeous granite and paint pairings?
Keep these tips in mind for successfully coordinating your granite and paint colors:
- Neutral colored granite gives you the most options.
- Tie colors together through accent decor items, like throw pillows.
- If your granite has heavy veining or bold patterns, choose a more subdued paint color.
- Don’t be afraid to complement bold granite with an equally bold paint color.
- Trust the natural color pairing you see in nature, like mossy greens with earthy granites.
Matching paint to granite has a lot of flexibility. The most harmonious palettes use nature as inspiration. Be adventurous, but always diligently test your pairings during the selection process before committing.
Conclusion
Choosing a paint color to match granite countertops may seem tricky, but keeping the granite’s undertone, color palette, and natural pairings in mind simplifies the process. Testing paint samples against the slab is vital to see how the granite influences the paint’s appearance in your unique space. Combining your style sense with color coordination fundamentals will lead you to the perfect integrated paint and granite look. With some thoughtful testing and adventurousness, you can confidently match paint to granite.
