The Countertops That Pair Best With Blue Cabinets

When considering the best colors for kitchen cabinets, blue is definitely a versatile option. From the palest robin's egg blue to a deep, inky navy and all the hues in between, it's a beautiful, soothing color. Paired well with other elements in the kitchen, your room will really stand out. And, one big design choice to make is what countertop colors would best complement the cabinets.

Let's start with probably the most classic combination of all, which means white countertops. The pale hue can come in a ton of materials: tile, stone, granite, marble, quartz, or quartzite. White may be the most versatile combination with blue, meaning that whether you use a pastel-like aqua or a stunning cobalt, white is going to look crisp and clean next to it. Similar to pure white, off-whites with tones of cream or gray also pair very well with many shades of blue. This choice is more subtle and not quite as bright as white, giving a serene, muted feel to the kitchen. 

One of the things to consider is the boldness of the blue. There are many different shades of blue so keeping the kitchen in balance, in terms of intensity, is a key factor. For pure drama, combine medium blue cabinets with a black countertop. This can create a modern, moody look, and it can also be totally captivating. You can balance out the hues by having plenty of natural light in the room, or by adding pendant and overhead lights and making the walls a brighter shade. If black is too bold for you, consider a dark shade of gray, like charcoal, for a toned-down approach.

Granite and marble come in many shades, but one classic look is a textured medium gray. If you'd like to add some depth to the surface, consider using a multi-color countertop material that carries flecks of other colors within. Gray marble, another classic option to pair with blue cabinets, comes with many patterns from a subtle striation and light veining to bolder, chunkier-looking specks. Look for blue undertones in these markings to play perfectly off your cabinetry.

One more recommendation for enhancing your kitchen, if you choose blue cabinets, is to use a warm-toned hardwood for your countertops. Sure they were the standard years ago, but they're enjoying a renaissance due to their gorgeous natural colors, their ability to absorb sound, and their kindness to the most fragile dishes. We're moving beyond a traditional butcher-block type of counter, and talking about glossy, finished expanses of hardwood that pair beautifully with blue cabinets. The warm undertones play off cool blue shades, infusing character and charm.

Kitchen cabinets and countertops are important, of course. However, there are many other surfaces that come together to create your kitchen's atmosphere. Since it's likely one of the most important rooms in your house, cohesion is key. So, when weighing your countertop options, you'll want to consider how they'll work with the color of your flooring, walls, and the palettes in rooms within the eye line of the kitchen.