Apr 5, 2021

If there is one thing in this entire home building and design process that has been an absolute shocker to me, it’s that we choose dark countertops in our kitchen. Well, that and how quickly your budget can disappear. But the dark countertops stick out so much because I’ve always dreamed of having light bright spaces.

However, after some quick research and realization that we really love maraschino cherries and red wine (not together mind you) we decided white countertops were just not for us.  Luckily, moody interiors have never seemed more approachable and it only took a few Pinterest scrolls for us to commit to our dark countertops.

There are A LOT of dark countertop options out there.  From traditional soapstone to quartz and to granite, all of them have their perks and downsides so it’s really on how YOU use your kitchen.

Soapstone ($$$) – a natural stone that requires more maintenance and upkeep than granite and quartz. However, the pay-off is in it’s unmatched natural beauty.

Quartz ($$-$$$) – manmade from quartzite. Typically more expensive than granite, however, we noticed local company’s would have specific quartz called ‘stock quartz.’ Proving to always check with your local company’s for their options!

Granite ($-$$) – natural occurring stone. We ended up going with Absolute Black microbrushed granite countertops. This will give us a matte, soapstone-esque look without the cost.

The Absolute Black honed, microbrushed finish we chose provides a sleek, sophisticated touch that complements our kitchen design. And proof that there are beautiful alternatives for black quartz countertops or soapstone countertops for kitchen spaces on a budget. A few darker shades of granite to check out:

• Absolute Black Granite (our choice!)

• Negresco granite

•Via Lactea

Black Granite Countertops to Consider

Here are just a few of the designs that brought me over to the dark side:

Design by Heidi Cailler Design  // Photo by Haris Kenjar

Design by Whittney Parkinson // Photography by Sara Shield Photo

Design by High Street Homes

We ultimately decided to go with Absolute Black Granite countertops in a micro brushed texture and Kraftmaid Pebble Grey Cabinets with a Kraftmaid Rustic Alder kitchen island. No white cabinets in sight for our kitchen design! The microbrushed provides a honed (or matte finish) to the granite countertops.

Since granite is a natural occurring stone we may have to enhance the stone once it’s put in place – sometimes the stone will look more grey than black and we wanted black countertops with a true dark color.

Granite’s popularity in kitchens stems not only from its aesthetic appeal but also from its durability. As a highly resistant material to scratches and heat, granite can withstand the daily rigors of a bustling kitchen. Furthermore, its natural beauty, with unique veining and color variations, can add character to any space.

Updated 09/27/2024

Our Kitchen today

It’s been three years in our home (time sure does fly!) and we haven’t regretted our black countertops once.

The absolute black granite countertops have seamlessly integrated into our kitchen, and provided a beautiful blend of tactile and nostaglic touches. Along with their aesthetically pleasing dark color, our black countertops have been easy to maintain over the years – no matter how often we use our kitchen.