Not Marble Or Porcelain: The Countertop Material That's A Good Match For Honey Oak Cabinets

Haven't you heard? Honey oak is making a comeback! For the better part of the last decade, many of us have fought against the orange-toned cabinets that defined the 1990s, but now they're being embraced again. As stark-white kitchens begin to feel dated and wooden finishes and warm-toned spaces begin to trend again, honey oak is being seen in a whole new light. Its rich tone brings that warmth and homeyness that people are craving. However, the key to making dated honey oak cabinets look modern is updating the elements around them. Small changes like replacing the hardware or choosing a more complementary wall color can help, but swapping out your countertops can make an even bigger difference.

Marble and porcelain countertops are certainly crowd-favorites, but granite is an underrated option that actually suits honey oak cabinets beautifully. This textured stone with mineral crystals matches the earthy and warm vibe of honey oak, accentuating its best features. Just remember, deciding to go with granite is step one. It's also vital to choose the perfect countertop color and pattern to ensure you successfully usher your honey oak cabinets into a more modern design. The stone you select can completely shift the overall look and feel of your entire kitchen.

Granite is a good fit for honey oak since it features natural texture to contrast the wood's simple, uniform grain. This gives it a pop of interest. But even more importantly, granite's speckled or sometimes veiny appearance adds biophilic warmth to the kitchen. This movement brings the outdoors in, making the orange hue feel homey and rich, which, arguably, is exactly why it's beginning to trend again. However, to make it feel less like a '90s relic, skip the shiny finish. More modern applications focus on either a honed finish for a matte look or a leather finish for a chic, textured appearance. There are other benefits aside from its appearance that might sway you towards granite, too. While it doesn't necessarily offer a wider range of colors than other natural stones like marble, it is considered more durable. Granite is stain-, heat-, and scratch-resistant. 

As you peruse granite countertop options to update dated honey oak cabinets, ask yourself, what style am I going for? Modern designs range from earthy and toned-down to sleek and polished. The color you select will hinge completely on your design aspirations. If you're aiming for a sophisticated, streamlined design, consider a darker granite. From options such as Negresco Granite to Verde Fantastico Granite, these moodier shades can offer balancing contrast against the honey tone of the oak. Going for a darker color is often the easiest way to modernize this wood color. Alternatively, you can work with the warmth of your cabinets by pairing them with options like Alpinus Granite, which has a creamy base and black speckles,or Peregrine C Granite, which is a creamy, golden brown. These work best for a cozy or airy kitchen design.

Beyond color, you'll also need to consider the natural pattern of the granite. Some stones will have more movement than others. This will be a vital consideration to keep in mind while selecting other features such as backsplash as well. Overall, if you want a warmer, more visually-dynamic kitchen, granite is a great choice to consider.