Pros & Cons Of The Kitchen Island Having A Different Countertop (With Pictures!)

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Last updated on March 15th, 2024 at 12:25 pm

Wondering if you should have your kitchen island countertop match the rest of the countertops in your kitchen? Well, look no further because I have your answer!

In general, it’s best to match the kitchen island countertop to the rest of the countertops because your kitchen will appear more uniform and less busy, it’s more budget-friendly, and it will make the planning and decorating process easier.

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s break into the details further so you can easily decide whether to have a different kitchen island countertop or not.

Let’s dive in!

Quick Navigation: Pros & Cons Of Having A Different Kitchen Island Countertop

1. Benefits Of The Kitchen Island Countertop Matching The Other Countertop
   • Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Creates Uniformity
   • Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Makes Planning & Decorating Easier
   • Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Makes The Kitchen Appear Less Busy
   • Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Can Be Easier To Clean
2. Benefits Of The Kitchen Island Countertop Being Different From The Other Countertops
   • Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Be Different From The Other Countertop Creates Contrast
   • Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Be Different From The Other Countertop Can Be Easier During A Remodel
   • Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Be Different From The Other Countertop Can Be More Budget-Friendly
3. Other FAQs About Kitchen Island Countertop Colors
4. Final Thoughts

Benefits Of The Kitchen Island Countertop Matching The Other Countertop

There are several benefits to having the kitchen island countertop match the rest of the countertops in the kitchen. These benefits include:

• Creating uniformity throughout the kitchen
• Making planning and decorating easier
• Helping the kitchen appear less busy
• Being easier to clean

Benefit One: Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Creates Uniformity

The most popular option is to make the kitchen island countertop match the other countertops in the kitchen. This is because one standard color and material of countertop creates uniformity in the kitchen.

When most people walk into a kitchen, they expect to see a single-color countertop throughout.

Sometimes mismatched countertops can look custom and high-end. However, if the wrong materials or colors are matched up, then it can make the kitchen look pieced together and cheap.

To avoid this potential problem, most homeowners choose a single countertop, color, and material and use it throughout the entire kitchen.

Benefit Two: Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Makes Planning & Decorating Easier

Another benefit to having the same countertop on both the kitchen island and the rest of the cabinets is that it makes planning and decorating easier.

When you are doing a kitchen remodel, it’s overwhelming enough to have to choose the colors and materials used with the cabinets, appliances, fixtures, hardware, lighting, and flooring. If you then add the extra element of having to choose two different colors or materials of countertops that go with the design theme in your kitchen, it could make the overall planning and design process a little bit more difficult.

If designing and decorating a kitchen is not your strength, then sticking with a single countertop color and material is the safest bet.

Also, consider the extra difficulty another countertop color and material could make decorating in your kitchen. Now you’ll need to choose decorations that match all of the cabinets, fixtures, appliances, flooring, lighting, AND two different countertop colors/materials.

If this sounds overwhelming to you (instead of exciting), then stick to a single countertop color and material on the island and the rest of your cabinets.

Benefit Three: Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Makes The Kitchen Appear Less Busy

In general, the fewer colors and patterns in a room, the less busy a room feels. This general rule of thumb also applies to the color, material, and pattern of your countertops.

If you already have more than 3 to 5 colors or patterns going throughout your kitchen, then you do not want to add another color or pattern by making your kitchen island countertop different from the other ones.

Studies have shown that the more cluttery and chaotic our home feels, the more anxious and overwhelmed we tend to feel. Choosing a different color countertop for your kitchen island could cause this problem in your kitchen.

Though, if the second countertop color can fit seamlessly within the 3 to 5 colors that you already have going throughout your kitchen, then this can be an excellent option to add a little bit more contrast in what could otherwise seem like a boring room.

But if this is not the case for your kitchen, then it makes more sense to match the kitchen island countertop to the rest of the countertops in the room.

Benefit Four: Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Match The Other Countertop Can Be Easier To Clean

A weird, but very important thing to note about keeping the countertops the same on your island and throughout the rest of your kitchen is this will make cleaning easier.

Different countertop materials require different cleaning products, and techniques to ensure that the countertops are properly maintained. If you use two different types of materials throughout your kitchen, then you might have to purchase and keep multiple cleaning products on hand to be able to clean both types of countertops.

While this is not a big deal, it can be more costly because you will need to have different types of cleaning products on hand. And it can be more time-consuming because you will have to switch between cleaning products while you are cleaning your kitchen.

Some people might not find this scenario problematic, but I would find it annoying, so I thought I would just throw it out there haha!

Benefits Of The Kitchen Island Countertop Being Different From The Other Countertops

While the norm for kitchens is having the kitchen island countertop match the rest of the countertops, there are some benefits to having the kitchen island countertop be different. These benefits include:

• Creating contrast in the kitchen
• Making a remodel job easier to complete
• Potentially being more budget-friendly

Benefit One: Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Be Different From The Other Countertop Creates Contrast

I know we already talked about choosing matching countertops to create uniformity in the kitchen. But if you have a monochromatic kitchen (such as an all-white kitchen), then a different kitchen island countertop might just be the bit of contrast your kitchen needs.

Many people choose to make their kitchen island stand out completely from the rest of the room. One of the ways of doing that is by using a different countertop. (Another way is to choose a different cabinet color.)

If you want your kitchen island to be the showstopper in the room, then use a different countertop that will complement the rest of the room. Just make sure to choose a second countertop that fits within your kitchen’s color and design theme to make sure the room doesn’t suddenly feel chaotic and piece-mealed.

Benefit Two: Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Be Different From The Other Countertop Can Be Easier During A Remodel

Using a different countertop on the kitchen island can be a great idea if you are remodeling an older kitchen.

If you are choosing to keep the existing countertops in place on the other cabinets, then sometimes you can’t find an exact match to what is already there.

When that happens, sometimes it is better to go in the completely opposite direction to make it look like an intentional design aspect in the room. Otherwise, if you attempt to get a match and you can’t find an exact one, then it’ll be more obvious that you have added something later into the room.

Going this route can make your remodeling job significantly easier.

Benefit Three: Having The Kitchen Island Countertop Be Different From The Other Countertop Can Be More Budget-Friendly

Finally, using a different countertop on your kitchen island can be more budget-friendly. This is an additional benefit to the point I made above.

Imagine the countertop on your kitchen island gets damaged, but the rest of the countertops in the room are perfectly fine. Instead of replacing them all, you can simply replace the kitchen island countertop.

If you can’t find a perfect match for your existing countertops, then you can choose a completely different countertop to replace the one on your kitchen island and save thousands of dollars by leaving the rest of the countertops alone.

I am all for whatever looks the best, is the easiest to complete the job, and saves the most amount of money. So choosing a different countertop for your kitchen island might be your best choice.

Other FAQs About Kitchen Island Countertop Colors

Here are some other frequently asked questions about kitchen island countertop colors to help you make the best decision for your home!

Can You Change The Island Countertop Without Replacing The Cabinets?

Kitchen island countertops can be changed without replacing the cabinets. For stone countertops, score the caulk between the countertop and the cabinets then pull the countertop off. For laminate or wood countertops, unscrew the countertop from underneath then pull the countertop off.

Where Do You Buy A Kitchen Island Countertop?

Kitchen island countertops can be purchased at local hardware stores such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Menards, etc, or at specialty countertop stores near you. All you need are the length and width measurements, and they can cut a custom-size countertop for you.

Should Countertops Be Lighter Or Darker Than Cabinets?

Countertops can be lighter or darker than the cabinets, whichever is preferential to your taste. Though be aware that lighter countertops make crumbs and food messes much more noticeable than darker countertops. Many see this as helpful to enforce a good cleaning habit even though it can be annoying to see tiny crumbs frequently.

Final Thoughts On Kitchen Island Countertop Colors

There you have it!

You really can’t go wrong with the color of your kitchen island countertop. My best advice is to look at tons of inspirational pictures to help you determine which color combinations speak to you the most.

Hopefully, this guide gave you some helpful tips on whether you should match your island countertop to the rest of the countertops in your kitchen or not.

Catch you in my next post!

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