How to Choose the Right Colour for Kitchen Worktops

Last Updated on May 22, 2026

One of the most important decisions you can make when designing your kitchen is colour. Not only does colour set the mood but it can change the lighting, or even the proportions of the room through the illusion of size and space.

The colour of your kitchen worktops is paramount; it should coordinate well with your kitchen cabinets, as well your choice of flooring. Furthermore, it has to be the right material and style to reflect your practical needs as well as your personality.

If you are unsure of how to choose the right kitchen worktop colour, here is a helpful guide to get you started with your design project…

Should you pick your cabinets or countertops first?

When it comes to buying a new kitchen, there’s a lot to think about. The options are endless when it comes to material, style, colour and design. But too much choice can be confusing, and it can be hard to know where to start.

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While there are no hard and fast rules on what should come first, many people often select their kitchen cabinets before they choose their countertops. This is likely due to the fact that cabinets take up a lot of vertical space and are often the first thing people see when they walk into the room.

However, that’s not to say that kitchen worktops can’t be the star of the show. In fact, more and more homes are taking this approach, with countertops being the main focal point – and this is especially the case with high-end options like luxurious full stave oak. Solid oak worktops are often a talking point, adding charm and quality to the home in a natural way.

If you want your kitchen work surfaces to be the heart of your design concept, it could be an idea to choose them before your cabinets. Doing it in this order could also open up more design possibilities because of the extensive choice of materials, styles and colours compared to kitchen cabinets – giving you a chance to really get creative!

Choosing light and dark kitchen colours  

In every part of the home, the use of light and dark is something that we seem to obsess over. This is because light or dark colours can completely alter the look and feel of your space, affecting everything from your mood to the size of the room.

While physical floor space cannot be changed, lighting can make an area appear larger or smaller, airier or more cosy, depending on what your goal is.

As kitchens are communal spaces (often where families spend the most time together), creating a sense of spaciousness is usually favoured. If this is what you are trying to achieve, lighter colours could work better as a way to bounce light around the room. Dark colours absorb light and, when used in the wrong way, could make your kitchen appear smaller.

Lighter wooden worktops such a beech worktops or white laminate worktops are great for making the most of the natural light through your windows, as well as helping to distribute artificial light.

However, if you love dark interiors and the idea of an on-trend kitchen, darker kitchen worktops don’t have to cramp your space. They can be harmonised with lighter cabinets and flooring, or they can be applied in specific areas for the purpose of zoning. You can also ensure your dark countertops are in a space that receives ample natural light, ensuring that there are no dull, uninviting corners. 

Gloss or matte

The finish of your worktop can make a world of difference to the colour you choose. The best kitchen colours work in harmony with one another, so the finish of each element within your design matters.

For instance, if you have gloss cabinets, should you choose gloss kitchen countertops in the same colour? While this can work in some homes, for larger spaces it could be overkill. So going for matte worktops in a similar (tonal) or complementary (opposite side of the colour wheel) colour may work better.

If you’re unsure whether a gloss or matt finish is right for your space, here’s a quick look at how gloss and matt alter our colour perception:

Gloss colour worktops

A gloss finish can give your colour choice a bold, fresh look. The glossy finish gives an ultra smooth, shiny appearance. Shinier surfaces, such as some laminate kitchen worktops, are great for increasing light reflection around the room while also ensuring a rich and vibrant colour. 

Matt colour worktops

Kitchen work surfaces with a more matt finish, such as wooden worktops, have a duller appearance and this can make the colour more rustic, natural or subtle. For organic kitchens, this can work especially well. Wooden worktops with less shine can often be used to harmonise with glossy cabinets to strike a nice design balance.

The right kitchen worktop material matters

We think it’s just as important to factor in the choice of worktop material when deciding on the right kitchen worktop colour. While we understand the significance of selecting the best kitchen colours, the practical side of choosing the right worktop is key in supporting your cooking and food prep requirements.

While wooden worktops like solid oak are a premium choice, more affordable laminate can actually present a much wider range of colours for you to choose from. With laminate worktops, you also get the option of emulating the look of real oak, or luxury options such as Carrera marble compact.

If it’s luxury you’re after, very few materials beat full stave rustic wood worktops, which use a continuous piece of piece of wood. This gives you a one-of-a-kind finish, something that can be the focal point for an open-plan kitchen or large kitchen island.

There’s some colour variety in wooden worktops too if you are after a specific hue to fit in with your colour palette. For lighter kitchens, consider beech worktops or elegant ash timber. For warmer tones that complement a north-facing kitchen, Sapele wood or Iroko worktops are a fantastic option.

Use samples to help choose the best kitchen colours

Picking the right colour for your kitchen worktops can be difficult when there are so many options to choose from. We always recommend ordering samples before committing to buy. At House of Worktops, we offer samples for all of our materials, including laminates, wood and solid oak, starting from £5.00. With any samples you order, we can also give you a full refund if you end up placing a worktop order with us. 

Not only can our samples help you visualise how your chosen material will look in terms of colour or against certain types of lighting, but you’ll be able to explore the placement of different coloured worktops too.

For instance, if you are mixing and matching kitchen counter colours, samples are fantastic for finding the right pairing and seeing it in person before you decide. A combination of both light and dark colours in your worktop choices could help you bring out the beauty and appeal of your kitchen, helping draw the eye towards certain areas and away from others. So don’t feel restricted to just one kitchen worktop colour if you want to mix it up.