Large, spacious kitchens, which may include islands for seating and prep work, may begin to feel homogenous with large amounts of the same color running throughout. Utilizing a different color of cabinetry, and a different counter on the kitchen island, can break up the room, and help to add more detail, without overwhelming the design.
Using Different Counters
For homeowners who do a great deal of cooking, or entertaining in the kitchen, utilizing a second material of countertop on the kitchen island can be beneficial. Wood butcher block counters for prep work, are available in a wide variety of wood tones and patterns. Look for zebra wood in modern kitchens, or a contrasting tone of wood to the kitchen cabinetry for more traditional looks.
For bakers, or those who do a great deal of dough kneading in the kitchen, consider using a marble countertop on the island. A honed marble surface is excellent for working dough that needs to be kept cool. Be sure to use a durable material such as granite or a quartz counter in the rest of the kitchen for prep work and cutting, as marble does have a tendency to stain and scratch when exposed to wines, acids and knives.
If the island is going to be a seating area, and heavily used, consider using a quartz composite or recycled glass countertop, rather than natural stone. Quartz and other manmade counters are impervious to staining, scratching, burning or etching, making them great for high use areas. If using a quartz counter with granite in the rest of the kitchen, choose a color of quartz that is predominantly solid, with little patterning, and picks up a color from the granite. If using a recycled glass island counter, consider using a recycled glass backsplash, to tie the two areas together.
Using Complimentary Colored Counters
If using the same type of material for both the cabinet counters, and the island counter, consider using two complimentary shades, rather than keeping them both the same. If using granite, try picking out one of the flecks or veins of color form the main counter to use in the island. For example, if using a light colored granite, such as Giallo Ornamentale on the kitchen counters, which has dark brown and occasional cranberry flecks through it, try using Imperial Coffee Brown, a rich dark colored granite on the island counter to compliment and anchor the design.
If using a dark granite on the main counters, such as Absolute Black, consider using a granite with a great deal of color and movement for the island counter, such as Juparana Fantastico, or Costa Esmeralda. This will give a focal point to the room, without overwhelming the space, as would use of a wild counter throughout.
Using Two Wood Tones
Using two tones of wood in the kitchen design, by keeping the main cabinets one color, and the kitchen island a second color, can help keep a kitchen from seeming overly light or dark. For example, a kitchen with white cabinets may consider a mahogany wood island, to help cement and anchor the design. This allows for the use of mahogany hardwood flooring accents inlaid into a lighter floor, as well as for deeper tones of granite, and backsplashes.
If the kitchen cabinets are a dark tone, consider using a white, or light colored kitchen island to contrast. Consider wenge for the main cabinets, with a bleached maple island for a modern kitchen, or two tones of cherry for a more traditional look.
Using two colors in a kitchen design can bring added design elements, without added decoration. Consider using two colors of cabinets and counters in a kitchen and bring new depth to the space today.
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