Gray Cabinets have become a staple for modern kitchen designs. However, choosing the perfect complementary countertop color for gray cabinets can be tricky, as various options offer different interior styles. The key is to go with a color that balances the dullness of gray and matches its elegance!
To make your decision easier, I have curated a list of the 14 best and trendiest countertop colors and textures that will go flawlessly with the gray cabinetry in your kitchen. There are additional beneficial tips and FAQs to help you make your decision trouble-free!
Finest Countertop Colors & Textures to Use Alongside Gray Cabinets
1. Cryst White Countertops
White countertops are known to pop up and give a radiant vibe to the whole space. A white countertop brightens and freshens the kitchen design when put with a gray cabinet. It gives a bright contrast to the gray hues of the cabinetry resulting in a stylishly modern contemporary look.
But if pure white or veined white feels too much on the face and ablaze, you can always go for off-white shades and white mid-tone countertops. You can also keep it minimalistic by decorating the kitchen with simple lighting and exotic elements like a glass vase.
Some of the Most Famous Materials for White Countertops:
- Calacatta Michelangelo Marble
- Vena Carrara Quartz countertop
- Milky White Granite
- River White Granite
2. Bold Black Countertops
If you wish to give the kitchen a dark and bold statement look, opt for dark countertops like black countertops. Though the black and gray combination is a bit tricky, when balanced well, it’s sure to change the whole character of your kitchen.
Depending on your desired vibe, you can choose a plain black countertop for an industrial look or a black countertop with a touch of white and gray for a subtle modern look.
However, pair these countertops with lighter shades of gray cabinets to avoid gloominess. As dark colors can make the kitchen look smaller, look for natural and artificial lighting, lighter flooring, and wall paints.
Popular Black Countertop Materials:
- Marinus Granite Countertop
- Black Marquina Marble
- Absolute Black Premium Granite
- Livorno Pental Quartz Countertops
- Cosmic Black Granite Countertops
3. Radiant Red Countertops
Red countertops are vibrant and bright. They might seem over the top when seen as an individual entity but look elegant when put with gray hues. A red countertop gives a bold statement and breaks the dark chromatic look of gray cabinets.
This combination gives the whole space a new, perfectly dramatic, and animated vibe. Furthermore, when combined with suitable elements, it will help you create both mid-century modern and eclectic looks, leading to an overall balanced look.
To upscale the look, you can use a subtle cream or white backsplash to balance the drama and pair it with white and black elements.
Premium Materials for Red Countertops:
- Red Ravel Jasper Marble
- 3452 Red Shimmer Caesarstone Quartz
- Red Dragon Granite
- Red Bahia Granite countertops
4. Sophisticated Wooden Countertops
Wood countertops are a fascinating choice and are known to give a perfect contrast. They can be paired with both light and dark gray cabinetry. The touch of a wood countertop will create a warm, cozy, functional, and welcoming family-friendly vibe.
You can use warm woods for countertops to give a farmhouse feel to your kitchen. Or you can go for dark wood and distressed tapestries for a rustic finish. You can also pair gray cabinets with light woods like oak and tile mosaics for a Mediterranean look.
Moreover, you can also achieve the Scandinavian kitchen style with textured wooden countertops. Finally, whatever look you prefer, make sure there is plenty of natural lighting and a pinch of greenery to make it more appealing.
Best Woods in the Market for Wood Countertops:
- Butcher Block
- Black Walnut
- Zebra Wood
- Cherry Wood countertop
- Curly Maple wood
5. Stylish Veined Countertops
Veined countertops are a safe, versatile option. They are neither over the top nor bland and perfectly maintain a balance. Both dark and light gray cabinets look marvelous with veined countertops and result in a harmonious and asymmetrical architectural beauty.
These countertops will help you to create a perfectly modern contemporary look. However, if you choose veined countertops for your kitchen, It is advisable to prefer lighter and brighter shades of veins. That will give a better appeal to gray cabinets.
You can also complement the veined kitchen with black hardware and huge vintage hanging lights to give an ideal kitchen decor.
Popular Veined Countertop Materials to Choose From:
- River White Granite
- Peregrine Granite
- Copacabana Granite
- Calacatta Classique Quartz countertops
6. Monochrome Gray Countertops
Gray countertops give a beautifully smoky and simple plain finish to any space. When gray countertops are put with gray cabinets, they give your kitchen a monochromatic and perfectly blended contemporary appeal.
However, this combination might give a tad dark smoky vibe, so it will best suit an industrial kitchen style accessorized with many glass elements, brick backsplashes, huge windows, and large open spaces.
It is also proven to give an exquisite modern design style using stainless steel appliances, brushed silver hardware, and minimalistic decor. The key to your desired look is how you accessorize your gray-on-gray kitchen.
Top Materials for Gray Countertops:
- Aspen White Granite
- Costa Esmeralda Granite
- Arabescatus Marble countertop
- 4033 Rugged Concrete Caesarstone Quartz.
- Concrete Countertops
7. Pristine Blue Countertops
Blue countertops are a hallmark of elegant, fresh, and stylish looks. But many people shy away from pairing them with gray cabinetry. However, blue countertops are a unique idea and prove to give light contrast and pop to gray cabinets.
This combination can result in a beautiful cottage and farmhouse design style with a lot of character. Whereas, dark or light-toned blue countertops with gray thermofoil or steel cabinets and silver hardware will make a perfectly modern kitchen.
Additionally, light or teal blue countertops paired with light gray cabinets will certainly give your home a beachy, coastal vibe, and natural lighting will elevate the look further.
Some Premium Blue Countertop Materials:
- Blue Bahia Granite
- Van Gogh Granite
- Labrador Bianca Granite
- Volga Blue Granite
- Tropical Blue Marble countertops
8. Subtle Cream Countertops
Cream countertops are a classic dynamic choice for every color cabinet. They provide a stunning contrast and subtlety. Putting together cream countertops with gray cabinets give a perfect break to the gray shade, thus, creating a sober flawless finish.
Cream countertops look more traditional when paired with gray shaker cabinets and hardwood floors and make a modern statement with thermofoil gray cabinets.
However, if the cream countertop feels too light for you, go for beige countertops as an alternative. For a needed elevation, you can play with gold hardware and accent gold lighting too.
Best Cream Countertop Materials:
- Colonial Cream Granite
- Astoria Satin Granite
- 4220 Buttermilk Caesarstone Quartz
- Crema Marfil Marble countertops
- 9601 Oyster Caesarstone Quartz
9. Rich Brown Countertops
Brown countertops give a rich, elegant dark hue and texture to the surface and go pretty well with gray cabinets. They give a perfect high-end look and elevation to the kitchen without making it look pitch dark. The combination of brown and gray proves to give versatile kitchen styles.
If you pair this countertop with gray shaker cabinets, it will give a traditional look, while gray thermofoil cabinets result in a brilliant modern kitchen interior. Also, the perks of choosing brown countertops are that there are several options in the market, and it does not get stained easily.
To accentuate the kitchen, you can also go for yellow lights for bling and use more black appliances and ceramic and brass elements.
Top Material Options for a Brown Countertop:
- Maskaratu Granite
- Lapidus Classic Granite
- Emperador Gold Marble
- Cedar Marble
- Cherry Wood, Mahogany Wood
- Oasis Pental Quartz countertops
10. Deep Maroon Countertops
Maroon countertops are stylish as well as not very dramatic or overpowering. The combination of maroon countertops works perfectly with both light and dark gray cabinets and offers a sophisticated look.
This perfect blend of maroon and gray can give an elegantly modern and beautiful contemporary look to your kitchen. But if you want a bright and vibrant look, you can also go for alternative burgundy countertops.
Besides, we advise you to use shiny lacquer, concrete flooring, and silver brushed hardware and knobs to create a stylishly minimalistic look.
Best Materials for Maroon Countertops:
- Maroon Polished Granite Slabs
- Burgundy Granite
- Lava Jewel Granite
- Baltic Tan Granite countertop
11. Vibrant Yellow Countertops
Yellow countertops give a sunny, dazzling shine to the kitchen. The combination of a yellow countertop and a gray kitchen cabinet results in bright contrast and breaks the monotony and smokiness of gray. Also, It brings a fresh, colorful, and whimsical touch to the space.
As there are different shades of yellow, choose a bright shade for an eclectic kitchen style. But if you choose the lighter shades, it will tone down the look and give a sober pop to gray cabinets, creating a modern kitchen.
For more options other than yellow, you can go for mustard countertops, and for a high-end vibe, go for a lustrous gold countertop. Also, don’t forget to accessorize the space with many white and stainless steel elements and a bit of nature.
Top Materials & Textures for Yellow Kitchen Countertops:
- Amber Yellow Granite
- Amarillo Gold Granite countertop
- Crema Valencia Marble
- Crema Marfil Marble
- Calacatta Gold Quartz
12. Fiery Orange Countertops
Orange countertops are a very novel and out-of-the-box idea. A lot of people don’t prefer it in a go, but these countertops can be a game-changer. Pairing orange countertops will give a splash of color and bright contrast to gray cabinetry.
Furthermore, it will also help you create a very adventurous eclectic kitchen style. But if you feel orange is too striking for you, you can always go for rust or honey color countertops.
This combo will surely outlive your expectations and create a dramatic, chic, and colorful kitchen. You can also accentuate your pop kitchen with stainless steel appliances, black elements, and a white patterned backsplash.
Famous Orange Countertop Materials:
- Orange Laminate Countertops
- Orange Cool Silestone Quartz
- Onida Orange Granite
13. Perfect Peach Countertops
Nothing is better than peach countertops for an airy, light, dreamy, feminine character in your kitchen. The combination of peach countertops and gray cabinets is a perfect match as they blend flawlessly and elevate the overall look.
This pairing is ideal for you if you want to experiment and go for a mid-century modern kitchen style. However, peach might look bland if you need a unique, and colorful pop for your gray cabinetry. In such a case, bright or light pink countertops will do the magic in your kitchen.
Peach countertops and gray cabinetry with minimal elements like simple lighting, contemporary bar stools, and marble backsplashes won’t disappoint you.
Popular Peach Countertop Materials Available in the Market:
- Rosewood Granite
- Picasso Quartzite
- Texas Pink Granite
- Chima Pink Granite
- Rosy Pink Granite
- Curitiba Granite
14. Fresh Green Countertops
Green Countertops are known to give a natural, fresh, and green pop to the kitchen. When paired with gray cabinets, they result in perfect contrast and break the dark hue and smokiness of gray. This green and gray color scheme will balance the overall look and create a nature-inspired contemporary kitchen style.
However, It is advisable to avoid dark shades of green and prefer lighter and pastel shades of green or alternative teal for equilibrium with gray cabinets. Finally, you can accentuate your green and gray kitchen with white hanging lights, patterned backsplashes, and white marble flooring to finish the look.
Best Materials for a Green Countertop:
- Verde Bamboo Granite
- Light Green Onyx
- Onice Smeraldo Onyx countertops
- Costa Esmeralda Granite
Easy Tips For Picking the Perfect Countertop For Gray Cabinets:
- Consider the undertone of your gray cabinets, whether warm, cool, or neutral, and then choose the countertop colors accordingly.
- Decide on flooring and wall paint that complement the gray hues so that the gray cabinetry looks elevated, not downgraded.
- Last, but not least, make sure to add a color countertop that is used in the rest of the home decor to tie the look together.
Should countertops be lighter or darker than gray cabinets?
The shades of the countertops depend on the undertones of gray cabinets. If gray cabinets have a warmer undertone, then go for darker shades like an earthy brown, but if gray cabinets have cooler undertones, you can go for light pastel colors.
How do you brighten up gray kitchen cabinets?
You can brighten up your gray kitchen cabinets by adding bright color countertops like white, yellow, red, green, etc, and bringing in more lighting.
Gray cabinets are versatile and, hence, pair well with various countertop colors. The key here is to check the undertone of your gray cabinetry, decide on the decor style you want for your kitchen, and select the best countertop accordingly using this list.
Like gray, blue cabinets are another popular choice for chic, modern kitchens. So, if you also have blue kitchen cabinets and are confused about designing them, my list of best countertop colors to pair with blue cabinets will help you!