The Stunning Countertops Joanna Gaines Uses To Brighten Up Dark Cabinetry

With the allure of all-white kitchens fading and black cupboards becoming trendy, dark cabinetry might be on your radar. Dark cabinets have a sleek and bold design, but you risk making the room feel cramped and overwhelming if they're not styled right. That doesn't mean you should stay away from cherry, oak, or navy-blue cupboards, but it does mean that you'll have to be intentional about the design elements of the space. For example, Joanna Gaines, "Fixer Upper" star and expert interior designer, pulls off dark cabinets by pairing them with white marble countertops. The contrast allows the dark cabinetry to shine without overwhelming the room.

The dark-cabinets-and-white-marble-countertops combo was featured in Gaines' Waco castle renovation. Any design fit for a castle must be superb, right? She brightened up the deep-hue cupboards in the butler's pantry and main kitchen with the white marble. The two elements complement each other perfectly, both adding dimension to the room. Since dark hues are a cabinet style making a comeback, you want to style them right to enjoy their clean, eye-catching look. Whether it's a design for the kitchen, laundry room, or bathroom, where there are dark cabinets, white marble countertops should be close by.

Joanna Gaines shared the Waco castle renovation reveal in an Instagram post, writing, "The contrast of the dark cabinetry, bright marble countertops, and original windows creates a cozy, moody look that I just love." With this duo, you get the vibrant, luxurious look of marble and the rich, comfy feel of dark cabinets. The white stone prevents the cupboards from dominating the room and making the area appear smaller and cramped. Gaines also carried the material onto the walls with a marble slab backsplash. The Magnolia star has a similar look in her own home. Gaines ditched the white kitchen trend for chic dark green walls and cupboards. White marble was her countertop of choice to lighten up the room and ground the bold shade.

If you want the sleek and cozy style of dark cabinets without the gloomy claustrophobic feel, then do as the expert designer and pair them with white marble countertops. White is a neutral shade, so it will complement any cabinet color, whether you choose an earthy dark blue or a daring deep red. You can even fake it and get the look of marble countertops on a budget with vinyl wrap. Covering your existing countertops in marble-style vinyl wrap brightens the room, and you won't have to splurge on the high-end slab. While a kitchen island counter that differs from the room's countertops adds dimension to the space, for this design, you want to keep all the counters light and bright, so they work together to contrast the cabinetry.