Many people choose their granite countertops before anything else when they decide to remodel or upgrade their kitchens. This usually determines the color scheme of the kitchen and, in most cases, that works very well.
However, you need to be careful about the color palette you choose. You spend a lot of time in the kitchen working in it to prepare a meal, eating a meal, washing up, or simply hanging out with your family at the start and end of the day. This means constant exposure to the colors you choose for your kitchen, and color psychology states this can have a subtle but significant impact on your mood daily.
If you are going to use granite countertops as the basis for your overall color scheme, make sure you choose the right one to inspire the kind of mood you want in your kitchen. Granite often features a myriad of colors and unexpected gradations that might lead you to an overall design that is not exactly what you intended.
When inspecting granite slabs make a point of focusing on the colors that jump out at you and decide if these are the right ones for your kitchen. Here are some tips to help you set the mood of your kitchen with granite countertops.
Some perspective
Color psychology lays down some rules for how colors affect most people. However, this does not always hold true. Colors may affect you differently from other people because of your unique perspective. There may have been events in your life that has colored (pun intended) your perception of a color or combination of colors.
You need to allow for this type of association when selecting the granite slab for your kitchen. If yellow makes you feel sad instead of happy as it does most people, then listen to your feelings and avoid yellow granite.
Trends and design ideas online or in magazines are a good starting point for inspiring your choice of granite countertops if you have no idea how to narrow it down. If you see a kitchen you like, clip or bookmark it for reference. Look over your collection when it is time to make your choice.
Keep your final choices between two and four colors. Anything more than four colors will result in a kitchen design that lacks cohesion.
Color and psychology
Granite countertops come in a wide range of colors, but some have definite psychological affects you need to know. It might be more difficult than you expect to identify the predominant color in one slab, as some granite slabs tends to shift unexpectedly from one dominant color to another. In most cases, however, you will be able to isolate one dominant color.
Below is a brief description of the psychological effects of some primary colors. Keep in mind that shades and tone can change how the color affects you, so make sure you are aware of this on a personal level.
Gray
Gray is one of the most common colors you will find in granite slabs, which is good from a design perspective because it is a neutral color. It goes well with most kitchen styles and colors.
From a mood perspective, gray is just as conformable. Some psychologists consider it the “color of compromise” because it tends to reflect the personality or mood of the person looking at it, so if you are a happy person, the gray makes you even happier. If you are feeling gloomy at a time, the gray will make your feel even worse.
There are more than 500 shades of gray, contrary to what popular fiction may claim, and the shade has a distinct effect on its reflective quality. Darker shades tend to be less reflective than lighter ones, and some grays can make you feel depressed. On the other hand, some shades of gray can provide a feeling of safety and stability.
Generally, gray is about taking control. Choose the shade of gray that makes you feel most in control over your environment.
Yellow
Most people associate yellow with joy or happiness, primarily because it is the color of the sun. It is generally an energetic, active, and cheerful color, uplifting a person’s mood without being exciting. Some people say that yellow makes the body pure and keeps the nerves stimulated.
Small and/or dark kitchens will benefit from a good dose of yellow to make it less somber. It may not be a good idea to make yellow the predominant color, however. It might feel a bit too much after a time, much like an overly perky person. Choose granite with a yellow base, but with a good mix of other colors.
Red
If you want your kitchen to be a place of high energy and intensity, you should consider red granite. Red is an exciting and dramatic color that can set people’s heart racing. However, too much excitement might not be a good thing, so a red kitchen countertop may not be a good idea.
Fortunately, granite is rarely a solid color. If you do choose red granite, chances are it will also include a healthy dose of black, gray, and other colors to provide some breathing space. Red granite is a good choice if you are aiming for a stimulating ambiance in your kitchen.
Blue
On the other hand, if you want your kitchen to be a haven from the madding crowd, blue is more your speed. Studies show that blue has a calming effect, lowering the blood pressure and slowing down breathing. It is a good choice for your kitchen when you have a demanding job and/or kids in the house.
That said, darker blues tend to promote a feeling of sadness (really!) and lighter blues promote a lack of warmth. Neither of these moods is good in a kitchen, so be sure to choose complementary color palette to offset them. Better yet, choose blue granite mixed with gray, brown, or yellow to give it some warmth.
Color psychology can help you set the right mood in your kitchen using granite countertops. However, these are just guidelines. Ultimately, you will have to decide which colors are the best for your personality.
KNC Granite can help you explore your color options if you are in the areas of Baltimore, Annapolis, Bethesda, Rockville, Alexandria VA, Arlington VA, and Washington DC. We have a large array of granite slabs from which to choose. You can check actual slabs at our showroom in Lanham, Maryland.
We do not only supply top-quality granite stones, however. We are experts at fabricating and installing kitchen counters or bathroom vanities. We also specialize in kitchen remodeling and bathroom upgrade projects, delivering on time and on budget.
Aside from natural stones, we carry some of the top brands of engineered stone, including Cambria, Caesarstone, Silestone, and MSI, all of which come with manufacturer warranties.
Give us a call or email us for your free in-home consultation and quote for your mood-setting kitchen countertops!