Deciding on the Best Laminate Countertop Colors for Your Kitchen 

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If you’ve started to look at the various styles and laminate countertop colors available to you as a part of your kitchen remodeling, then you will know that the range of options is practically endless.  From traditional to trendy, the number of laminate countertop colors seems to grow with every passing year.  As this material has been around for several decades, it makes for a lot of laminate countertop colors.  The color you choose won’t have any impact on the way that the product is made, nor on its durability. They are all manufactured from a number of layers of coated paper that have had heat and pressure applied to them to press them together before a special strong plastic is laid over top. 

It is that top layer that will contain your laminate countertop colors of choice.  That said, not all of the patterns and shades are created equal.  They all have their strengths and weaknesses.  Have a look at the following considerations for different types of laminate countertop colors to help you make your decision.

Natural laminate countertop colors

Among the more popular types of laminate countertop colors are those that use printed patterns in order to mimic different types of natural surfaces such as stone and wood.  Granite is one of the most copied styles.  As technology has continued to advance over the years, so has the quality of these printed surfaces.  The “granite” look has more realistic changes in color and veining, while the grain lines of the “wood” better resemble the real thing. 

This can produce a highly appealing counter that is much less expensive than the natural material. Moreover, a variety of laminate countertop colors on one sheet can make wear, water, and crumbs less visible.  It is important to note, though, that while it may have a very close approximation, laminate countertop colors still have not advanced to the point that they could be mistaken for the actual natural substance that they are copying.  They still appear to be an albeit attractive artificial material.

Dark and light laminate countertop colors

Laminate countertop colors should be chosen while keeping in mind that the surface is only somewhat resistant to scratches.  As the laminate is only a thin layer over a light pressed paper, it means that darker laminate countertop colors such as black will show these scratches more clearly than lighter laminate countertop colors such as white, if those scratches are deep enough to make the substance below the surface visible.  To test the shades that you like for this problem, bring home samples or chips of your preferred laminate countertop colors and scratch them with a butter knife or other similar object.  Check to see how visible the marks are.

Solid core laminate countertop colors

If you would truly like dark laminate countertop colors, then you may wish to consider upgrading your product to one with solid core colors (also known as color-through).  This way, the pressed paper in the middle has been dyed the color on the surface, making scratches on the surface less visible.  Keep in mind that this extra feature comes with a premium cost, so if you are choosing laminate in order to obtain the cheapest possible price, you’ll need to consult your budget.

Surface finish laminate countertop colors

There are two main beautiful surface finishes available for laminate counters: glossy and matte.  These will each have an impact on your laminate countertop colors in different ways.  For example, matte finishes have a texture that is less smooth than glossy, making them more challenging to clean since dirt particles can become wedged in tiny nooks and crannies of a coarser surface.  That said, glossy finishes are highly reflective and may take away from the full effect of the laminate countertop colors that you have chosen.  Moreover, wear is more visible on a glossy surface over time.

Choosing laminate countertop colors takes a great deal of careful consideration.  As you can see, selecting a matching shade for your kitchen is only the starting point.

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