There are many reasons to consider remodeling your kitchen or bathroom using granite or natural stone. Granite countertops are capable of withstanding almost any kind of abuse – you won’t run into the problems typically associated with synthetic materials. Investing in natural stone countertops serves as a one-time fix.
A natural stone fabricator can cut a slab of stone to any size to fit your bathroom, kitchen, countertop, or flooring inside or outside your home. With stone countertops you can avoid major stains or mildew damage. You also get an endless amount of choices to get the perfect look for your space.
Alpha Stone can help you sculpt your dream kitchen or bathroom with ease. Granite countertops and floor tiling can improve the appearance and cleanliness of your bathroom. Natural stone countertops are available in many different colors and patterns. Also, to make each pattern unique, you will find floor tiling, kitchen and bathroom cabinets, vanities, and decorations to match the theme of your choice. No matter what your home remodeling needs are, they can be met with ease and satisfaction with the help of our highly rated professionals.
When considering what type of stone to use for your home, kitchen, or bathroom countertop, it is wise to understand the quality of each stone. You should choose a stone that can handle the type of activities that you envision taking place in the particular area of your home. For instance, your bathroom will be subject to large amounts of water, chemicals, and moisture. Additionally, your kitchen will be subject to large amounts of heat and sharp objects against countertop surfaces. For this reason, a natural stone that is both durable and low-maintenance can help you with your daily needs.

Benefits of Natural Stones

Natural stone countertops, such as marble, travertine, limestone, onyx, soapstone, quartz, or granite can resist heat and water over prolonged periods of time. In fact, natural stone is a durable material that does a better job of deterring water damage than your average synthetic materials. Cleaning natural stone countertops is simple, and easy. All you need is soap and water. You do not have to worry about stains, scratching or breaking. Granite countertops are always sealed before being installed. This sealing protects the stone from chemicals, added moisture, and heat, all of which easily damage other, untreated materials.

Replacing Broken Tiles with Natural Stone

Why not replace broken or mildew-ridden floor tiles in your bathroom? Over time, when large amounts of water, moisture, and chemicals come into contact with a surface they cause countertops and tiles to deteriorate. This can create a sequence of events and issues that cause you to struggle with your bathroom. You can decrease the amount of maintenance and repair needed in a specific area through choosing long-lasting natural stone tiles for your flooring. Your bathroom remodeling ideas can be taken to the next level when you contact bathroom remodeling professionals right here in Virginia.

The bathroom is generally the area of the house that deteriorates the fastest due to moisture damage. It is susceptible to mildew damage, which is very expensive to repair over time. Moisture in the bathroom can cause your floor tiles to break and become very unsanitary. Replacing broken tiles with natural stone is also a smart decision because it can enhance the hygienic aspects of your bathroom.

Bathroom remodeling is one of the most complicated home improvement projects to do because of the amount of detail that is involved. Not only do you have to worry about plumbing in your bathroom, but also you want to choose a bathroom design that conserves space. This will prove essential to the overall success of your bathroom. Granite countertops and matching floor tiles will give your bathroom an elegant appeal. Granite is the second strongest stone in the world. With it, your bathroom is sure to have a long life.

There is nothing worse than feeling like your bathroom is falling apart when you are trying to get clean and prepare yourself for each day. So why not remove all the worry and frustration by replacing broken tiles and that old countertop, and even upgrading the showers and sinks in your bathroom. You can make everything match and flow when you choose natural stone fabricators. They can tend to your every need: finding the perfect cut of stone, getting it cut to a specific edge in a minimal amount of time, and installing the perfect natural stone countertop and floor tiles. In the end, this can make you feel better about your home with less hassle and worry.

Is there a particular kitchen layout that works well for families?

Large open-plan kitchens are so popular for families as everyone can be together whilst doing their own thing. So while parents are prepping food, they can be keeping an eye on the children playing or doing homework. 

Ideally, you would have an area for children to play in that’s separate from the cooking area too – island units and peninsulas will provide a natural divide and stop children running through when you are cooking.

Breakfast bars and island units are a popular choice as they are spacious and allow the family to cook together. Even at a young age, there is room for young children to help prep food at an island or breakfast bar and become involved.

For families that are slightly more limited on space and can’t have the popular island unit, we recommend that you incorporate a peninsula like the one below, so you can create the kitchen diner experience for your family. Seating next to the kitchen is ideal for young children to do homework under parents’ watchful eyes!

Kitchen by Zara Kitchen Design

In terms of finishes to cupboards and doors, do you have any advice for families with young children? 

Gloss units are a good option for young families – not only do they look modern but they are easy to wipe down and clean. Matt laminate is a great choice too as you can also get anti-fingerprint finishes which is perfect if you have small children.

In terms of style, a flat handleless door is a good option as again it’s easy to clean with fewer places for food and dirt to get trapped! There are still so many families that choose the shaker kitchen style as it looks so homely, just bare in mind that they need a bit more maintenance than a modern kitchen.

Kitchen by Zara Kitchen Design

Are there particular surfaces that take more wear and are childproof?

Quartz is a popular choice as it’s both stain and scratch resistant and comes in a range of options in price. Natural stones such as marble look beautiful but are more prone to staining, so are not the best option for young families or if you do a lot of entertaining. Worktops such as wood require maintenance in order to stop watermarks, so again not the easiest option for a family unless you are prepared to oil it regularly.

What appliances are the safest when you have a young family? 

Induction hobs are a must-have in any young family kitchen – there are no naked flames and only the pan gets hot, so there will be no residual heat around the hob area. They also heat up far quicker than gas so are a time saver for busy families!

Built-in ovens at eye level are also very practical as there is less opportunity for a toddler to try and open the oven door or play around with the knobs and switches. Also, think about incorporating a hot water tap which is safer than a kettle and looks much more streamlined and fuss-free.

Kitchen by Zara Kitchen Design

Do you have any tips that make the kitchen safer for children? 

Choose a handleless kitchen where there are no knobs or handles to get caught on. This look is so popular right now and looks great in a modern kitchen.

Soft corners and edges on worktops are a great idea, especially when you have toddlers running around, and also remember to leave plenty of room for children to move through the kitchen easily!

Is there anything else I should consider when designing a family-friendly kitchen?

Remember that the kitchen should be fun in a family home, so include the children in the process. When children are given the choice they go for bright colors while the parents will ultimately go for something more subtle. But you can take inspiration from your children and be playful and creative by adding pops of color or a quirky design element!

Granite has remained a popular countertop choice for kitchens and bathrooms since the 1980s when designer Deborah Sussman renovated a kitchen with granite countertops, and the New York Times described it as “down-to-earth.” The consequent decades lead to a vast improvement in manufacturing and export processes, increasing global affordability and putting it in direct competition with marble.

This natural stone outshines marble when it comes to durability. It’s hardy, solid, and less porous. Did we mention it’s not nearly as prone to stains and etching? Granite is low maintenance and easy to clean, making it suitable for spaces like busy communal kitchens and bathrooms.

At Potomac Kitchen & Bath, we have many varieties to suit every decor taste and interior style. You’ll come across a wide selection of granite countertop colors that can be cut to any desired shape and size. These include classic and new styles, with some stone types that even look exactly like marble for diehard fans.

Are granite countertops outdated? As industry experts, we can assure you that granite countertops remain a pragmatic and popular choice, especially for bathrooms and kitchens that are frequented and used by many. To find out more, take a look at our thorough analysis of this year’s kitchen countertop trends, including the best granite colors for the 2021-2022 season.

Along with our wide variety of stones, you’ll find a substantial selection of color options for granite slabs. These include classic styles and a regular influx of new styles for you to choose from. If you want to keep on-trend, we have all the colors you can imagine, and all the popular granite colors being used by interior designers right now.

For the top granite colors and unmatched prices, Potomac Kitchen & Bath  is here for you. We also know what’s on-trend – so be sure to take a look at our analysis of this year’s trend and the best granite colors for the 2021-2022 season below!

TOP-3 TRENDS IN GRANITE KITCHEN COUNTERTOP DESIGN 2021-2022

The most popular granite colors in 2021 continue to dominate 2022 design trends; white granite countertops and neutral finishes or warm wooden cupboards, and black granite kitchen countertops complimented by gold fittings for the bold. Currently, there are three major stand-out trends that are adaptable to most tastes.

NEUTRAL TONES

Inspired by Scandinavian minimalism, neutral tones remain popular. However, there’s a move away from all-white kitchens to those with light countertops complimented by warmer tones of brown or gold and copper accents, i.e., wooden cupboards and flooring stools or gold light fixtures.

Neutral tones don’t date as quickly and can be easily updated with bright decor elements, bright backsplashes, or a slick coat of new wall paint. Light countertops make kitchens look cleaner and brighter. White, cream, or even light blue and gray granite countertops offer an understated yet classic look that pairs well with any wood.

HONED/MATTE FINISH

Honed granite provides a matte surface with a low sheen, preferable to the stereotypical glossiness and high reflectivity associated with polished granite. It offers a softer and more natural look while still retaining the character of the natural stone. Color enhancers can be added to honed stone for increased depth and richness.

This granite effect comes in satin, velvet diamond, and smooth matte finishes. To achieve this look, manufacturers stop the finishing process before the stone surface becomes shiny, leaving it with a matte or satin appearance. It looks different on every stone sample yet consistently delivers a smooth look, bringing out natural patterns.

VEINS AND PATTERNS

While pure white granite kitchen countertops are still trending, there’s a move towards veining and patterns. Stones with natural character are more appealing to the contemporary eye than the blank kitchen countertops of yore. Most granite countertops are packed with rich, naturally forming patterns that make every kitchen and bathroom surface look unique.

Veining can be subtle or dramatic and make the color of hardware pop when paired with the right hues. Certain types of white granite look similar to marble and are repeatedly chosen as an alternative to the former stone as they provide the same look but require less maintenance.

POPULAR GRANITE COLORS THIS 2021-2022 SEASON

White, black, blue, and gold are the most popular granite colors this season. This neutral and versatile palette offers limitless opportunities to play with interior design in terms of texture and color. At Granite Selection, we stock a massive selection of trending stone colors suited to all interiors.

WHITE GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

White granite kitchen countertops embody refinement and elegance. Color-wise they offer the most compatibility and look stylish on top of almost any kitchen cupboard color. While it’s impossible to purchase “pure” white slabs, their flecks and irregular markings add to their unique character. They come in various shades, making it easy to find a stone that suits your design preferences.

1. Andromeda White Granite

Andromeda White granite provides an ultra-modern look, offering a subtle variation from pure white countertops. This speckled white and beige stone has gray veins, as well as small streaks and black grain throughout. It’s effortlessly dynamic and suits traditional and modern kitchens.

It’s used for mosaic, fountains, pool and wall capping, stairs, window sills, and of course, kitchen countertops. Furthermore, it’s the preferred stone for bakers and food content creators as its light surface contrast with darker colors. The mid-level variation present within the stone provides texture and character to all-white kitchens without detracting from neutral design palettes.

2. Colonial White Granite

This off-white granite has brown and rose-colored flakes, with smokey gray patches accented by dark black speckles. Many have commented its markings look similar to the patterns found in cookies and cream ice cream. The granules in Colonial White granite are generally less than 0.5 centimeters, providing relatively even subtle and even patterning.

As a vanilla-colored stone, it works well with dark and light kitchens. In light spaces, it creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere and complements darker spaces. It’s an attractive option if you’re a fan of white countertops with light wooden cabinets but prefer something warmer than cold, white tones.

3. Alaska White Granite

Alaska White granite contains denser amounts of Onyx dispersed throughout the stone than Colonial and Andromeda White granite, making it the most dramatic of the three white granite varieties. These gray patches vary in color and size and compose between 40-50% of the stone’s mass.

Its uneven patterns of white and silver with large swirls of gray and black gives it a modern, eclectic feel. This cool, icy granite works well with white, black, blue, brown, and gray cabinets. Its pale silver and frosty whites are underscored by less uniform tints of brown, varying from light to dark.

BLACK GRANITE KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS

Black provides a bold and dramatic touch to any kitchen. Granite countertops with flecks of gold or white veins are genuinely eye-catching in comparison to classic, all-white countertops. From dark Nordic Black granite to glittering Black Galaxy granite that mimics gazing up at the stars, here are our most popular granite countertops in black.

4. Nordic Black Granite

Nordic Black granite is a homogenous stone with a large mineral structure that refracts light due to the mega crystals lying just below the surface. It contains tightly interlocking, metallic-colored grains and white veins that never fail to impress. Strong and durable, it makes a striking statement whether placed on top of light or dark cupboards.

This sophisticated granite stone has low variations with shallow depth and is subtle enough to blend with other granite patterns. It pairs beautifully with gold and copper accents. Functional and fashionable, it contains black, onyx, and charcoal colors that are lightly accentuated with pale grays and charcoals.

5. Desert Dream Granite

While considerably more pricey, Desert Dream is a premium granite stone exuding opulence. Its exquisite combination of black, gray, cream, burnt orange and gold patterning makes it one of the most stylish granite stones available. Durable and stunning, it instantly elevates kitchens and bathrooms into designer spaces, especially when combined with gold or copper finishes.

Intense and dramatic, Desert Dream is the type of stone that can act as a bold accent in a neutral kitchen or something more subtle in a moodier environment. Durable and resistant, it’s ideal for those wanting drastic bathroom vanities and kitchen countertops.

6. Black Galaxy Granite

Black Galaxy granite is a newer stone that became popular for its durability and beauty in the last 40 years or so. Due to bronzite deposits, its copper, gold, and white flecks shine radiantly when exposed to light. This stone produces a powerful visual statement and is often used in staircases, flooring, and countertops.

Like all granite, it fares well in high-traffic areas and is low maintenance. Black Galaxy has a deep black background, with greenish/black shading and occasionally a bit of white in the background. Its metallic flecks are better accentuated when highly polished, but the stone also looks beautiful with a matte finish.

BLUE GRANITE KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS

Blue granite kitchen countertops provide a sense of calm in exterior spaces. Often compared to the ocean, their swirling patterns evoke dynamic movement on kitchen surfaces and add tranquility to bathrooms. Their color intensity and patterns range from deeply saturated blues and strong veins to lighter and more muted tones, depending on what look you’re after.

7. Amadeus Granite

Dominated by black and gray with beautiful dark red and green shades, Amadeus is a medium-grained granite stone. It’s ideal for those desiring kitchen countertops with darker markings. Like a musical overture, its dramatic veining swirls and flows across its surface, generating a dense pattern that almost looks as though it’s moving water.

Amadeus granite adds splendor and flow to otherwise static countertop surfaces. It’s a creative option for large spaces as its kinetic sweeps of blue tones against a pale background can be overbearing for smaller spaces unless you want a statement countertop.

8. Blue Pearl Granite

Pearl Blue Granite’s distinct markings look a bit like short brush marks. It contains a large percentage of duck-egg blue blotches against a dark gray to a black background. As coarse-grained granite, its feldspar crystals reflect light causing an iridescently magical effect that mimics mother-of-pearl.

This captivating stone with blue overtones is an eye-catching alternative to black and white granite. Distinctive and rare, Blue Pearl does have varying undertones. Its pattern is not always densely packed; certain areas of the stone may have lighter blue textures than others contributing to its dazzling look and feel.

9. Brass Blue Granite

Admired from afar, Brass Blue granite reads like an aerial view of large sea swells. It has a dark background with white patches and smaller swirls of gray and black. It is a medium variation granite stone whose various sized blue veins running across its surface produce a deep elegant pattern accentuated by sharp fragments.

This beautiful granite has a cool undertone that works well in most interiors, especially for those who are fond of blue. It is suitable for interior and exterior applications. Brass Blue granite also contrasts with gold and copper fixtures, whereas brass fixtures and decor accessories will bring out its natural tones.

GOLD GRANITE COLORS

Statement gold home accessories and accents remain trendy this season. Gold granite colors complement both white and moodier kitchens, especially those kitchen cupboards of the black and dark green variety. Gold granite is a top choice for those who like warmer tones like cream, yellow, brown, and ocher hues remain consistent in most gold granite colors.

10. Almond Gold Granite

This stone has amber hues accented by rich nut-brown and umber. Some even notice tinges of green within its genial glow. It features a “chunk” effect throughout as opposed to veins and waves. Almond Gold blends well with wooden countertops, warm interiors, and more traditional design aesthetics.

Even though gold is bold, the speckles don’t override other design elements and can soften a metallic-looking space. This deep-colored stone enriches homes as its light colors boost the energy within a kitchen, living area, or bathroom. It’s one of those popular granite colors that has seen increased popularity of late due to current muted tone design trends.