Low Maintenance Dark Kitchen Countertops

Featured Image: Steel Grey Granite Kitchen Countertop & Cementine Black & White Porcelain Tile Backsplash from Arizona Tile  

No matter your preferences and style choices, a dark neutral like black or gray pairs well with everything, even in the kitchen.  It can be used as a key element in your design or as an accent to other more vibrant colors in the room. Whether you’re designing a new home or working on a kitchen remodel, a dark granite or quartz surface may be just what you need for a low-maintenance kitchen countertop that’s functional and beautiful.

Image: Belvedere Satin Granite Kitchen Island Countertop from Arizona Tile

Dark Granite & Quartz Slabs

There are endless slab colors and variations that are formed by nature (like with granite) as well as created through fabrication (such as quartz). All natural stones are products of nature, so there is an astounding variety of colors covering the spectrum – from near whites to rich greens, to darker shades of grey and black, and everything in between. Differences in color and veining make each piece completely unique. When it comes to low-maintenance stones like granite, there are several dark options available ranging from solid black and gray, to slabs that will be more of a feature piece in your design, like Belvedere Satin.

Since quartz is manufactured, it is available in a wide range of colors that are consistent from slab to slab. With multiple dark gray and black options like Grigio Elegante and Montenegro, it’s also a great choice to use in the space. A wonderful thing about having dark countertops is that they are less likely to show some of the wear and tear that might occur from years of working in your kitchen.

Whether you like a dark color scheme, a light color scheme, or a combination of both for your large or small space, dark slabs can give you varying effects. Dark kitchen countertops create a dramatic focal point and really stand out in a kitchen surrounded by lighter colors, like white cabinets which create a spacious look. If you prefer less of a contrast and like the idea of a dark countertop, you can incorporate any shades you like—luckily, there are no rules, just design preferences. However, if dark colors are used throughout the kitchen, like countertop, backsplash, and cabinets, the space may start to feel like it’s shrinking, especially if it is already a smaller space.

There are lots of low-maintenance, dark kitchen countertops to choose from, but we’ve selected a few of our favorites below.

Image: Blizzard Granite Kitchen Countertop and Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Blizzard granite is stunning and dramatic. This black granite with white veins has a look that is similar to marble from Spain, Negro Marquina. If you chose this for your kitchen it is sure to be a feature piece in your design.

Image: Black Mist Honed Granite Kitchen Countertop & Calacatta Jubilee Quartz Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Black Mist Honed is an elegant black granite countertop, with some areas of gray, and white quartz veins. Having a look similar to soapstone, this slab is bookmatched due to the qualities of the stone and then kept in sequence for a consistent flow in pattern.

Image: Indian Premium Black Honed Granite Kitchen Countertop & Concerto White Glossy Porcelain Tile Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Also known as Absolute Black, Jet Black, or Luna Nero, Indian Premium Black granite lacks veining, is quite consistent in coloring between slabs, and truly gives you a black countertop in either a polished, satin or honed finish. This stone proves that veining isn’t needed to make your kitchen countertop a radiant focal point.

Textural in appearance yet smooth to the touch,  Steel Grey granite offers a lot of tonal variation through shades of gray deposits that are heavily dispersed in this sea of black stone. Attractive and naturally stain-resistant, granite’s beauty and durability make it a wonderful choice for your kitchen countertops, bathrooms, and more.

Image: Slate Grey-N Quartz Kitchen Countertop from Arizona Tile

Slate Grey-N Quartz Kitchen Countertop and Chevron Grey Polished Mesh Marble Backsplash from Arizona Tile Slate Grey-N quartz has a dark, warm-toned, charcoal grey background with tiny white flecks throughout, giving this beautiful quartz a consistent yet subtle pattern. Grigio Elegante is a sleek and sophisticated gray quartz with a delicate white pattern. Arizona Tile’s unique Della Terra^® Quartz blends the beauty of quartz with innovative technology to create a surface with long-lasting durability for use in commercial and residential projects. These surfaces are resistant to scratches and chipping, plus it’s non-porous, which makes it highly resistant to staining. A popular choice in kitchens and baths, this quartz maintains its stunning appearance even in heavy-use areas.

Maintenance

Understanding the maintenance required for the surfaces you choose is just as important as falling in love with a surface for its visual aesthetic. While the surfaces mentioned above are all low-maintenance options, that doesn’t necessarily mean any maintenance can be ignored.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone that is quarried and not fabricated. Given the extreme conditions in which it is formed, as well as its mineral composition, granite is one of the hardest and most durable surfaces available. A regular maintenance regimen of wiping your granite surface with warm water or a pH-balanced neutral cleaner will help it be more resistant to scratching and wear.    It is not recommended to clean with harsh chemicals, scouring powders, vinegar, or anything too acidic or strongly alkaline, which contain abrasives that may scratch the surface All spills should be cleaned up immediately to avoid penetration into the stone, especially citrus-based foods and liquids which could cause etching and staining.

In addition to routine cleaning, it is recommended that stone countertops are sealed to extend their longevity. Because natural stone is porous and may contain pits, applying an impregnating sealer to the stone surface soon after installation is paramount. An impregnating sealer penetrates the stone surface and creates protection from within. This type of sealer fills the pores that are on the stone surface to block unwanted, stain-causing agents. Talk with your contractor to find out what impregnating sealer they used and what the follow-up is for the product. Some surfaces may need to be resealed every few months to years.

Image: Metropolis Grey Quartz Kitchen Countertop Island from Arizona Tile

Quartz

Quartz is a low-maintenance surface and can be cleaned with ease. Della Terra Quartz is heat-resistant and scratch-resistance and is made of 94% quartz, which is one of the hardest minerals in nature.

Given quartz is a fabricated surface, it is created by mixing ground-up quartz with a polymer, and is less porous than a natural stone slab. Though Della Terra^® Quartz countertops are highly resistant to staining, including those from common household spills, it is always important to wipe up spills as quickly as possible. For routine cleaning, simply wipe with a soft, damp cloth or pH-balanced cleaner, and your quartz should remain as beautiful as it was the day of installation.

If you’re interested in updating your kitchen, or any space, browse our products online or feel free to stop by one of our many locations for a consultation. Our experienced tile, stone and quartz experts would love to answer any questions you may have. For a virtual experience, stop by our online slab yard to see what’s available at a location near you, Or check out our Just Imagine visualizer tool to see what your selections look like in your space.