I would like help in choosing new countertops and lighting.

Joan
by Joan

I will be painting my walls agreeable grey sw. I would like to replace the light over my kitchen table.

  24 answers
  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on May 06, 2020

    Counter tops can be painted or replaced. Lighting fixtures are plentiful, but I would recommend LED fixtures.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on May 06, 2020

    Hello there,

    Olive/lime green would look great with your cabinets, or go black. Steel or chrome branching light fitting. Turquoise is also a nice colour. You could a;ways go for a strong multi coloured top like spanish/moroccan tile effect.....Best wishes

    • Em Em on May 06, 2020

      Said... painting walls grey. Walls are already green.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on May 06, 2020

    I agree with a dark gray/black or a green for your counters, that would really pop against your oak cabinets. As for lighting there are some great options out there that you could replace both of your florescent lights with depending on the look you're trying to achieve.

  • Em Em on May 06, 2020

    Countertops are endless. Look a color samples at Home Depot or Lowe's. If the green walls stay and the cabinets are grey, look for a two tone grey countertop with a stone look. Light fixtures in pendant style maybe two or three in a row in silver or black.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on May 06, 2020

    Joan: even laminate counter tops are pretty nice looking these days... that's the cheapest replacement idea... make them a neutral color.


    Florescent lighting? NO thank you! Put in a track light with adjustable directions.

  • Jan Clark Jan Clark on May 06, 2020

    From what I see in the photo, most of the appliances are steel or gray and you have a dark floor. Depending on the tone of the wall color, the counter top is going to be the other major color in the room. Unless you want to go 'funky' I would consider a counter top color range that is a few tones darker OR lighter than your wall color. It will pull the room together and allow all of your accents to do the talking.

    As for the lighting, based on the fact that you already have large fluorescent boxes installed, I would consider track lighting. There are a number of great choices out there that will fit bright daylight LED bulbs (that won't get hot). We've used these in kitchens with great success. You may have to refinish the areas of the ceiling where the boxes were - but that's just part of changing your lighting. If you choose well, you'll find the track lights will provide all the light you need - and no shadowed areas where you work. Win-win! That's my 2 cents - best of luck with your makeover!

  • Gk Gk on May 06, 2020

    A dark gray or a white/cream speckled counter top would look nice. Neutral colors so if decide to paint your kitchen walls any other color they will coordinate. Check out what is available as there are so many choices. Light fixtures too. It's hard to pick out light fixtures for someone else because you don't know exactly what they like. I like to see them in person!

  • Kelli L. Milligan Kelli L. Milligan on May 06, 2020

    Start with countertop selection. Paint is the easiest to pick, that should be the last thing chosen but since you have an idea, make sure the counter has that color in it . don't go too grey ctazy, very faddish and it gets tired quick. Be sure to add some cheerful colors to the area. Remember how you feel on grey cloudy days. Don't surround yourself with too much grey.

  • Ros Ros on May 06, 2020

    Your cabinets are traditional . I used to have those exact doors and I bought the apartment to have those kitchen cupboards I think.That was 30 years ago.

    I would go with a cream color or creamy white and not stark modern white. But cream cupboards and grey walls don't quite go together. If the walls have to be grey I would probably think of a light blue shade (blue towards grey) for the cupboards.

    Countertops...I would go with cream with cream cupboards or blue grey cupboards with white counters. There are lots of different counter materials with different prices. You will want something that doesn't stain like marble does. I love caesarstone,(man made) with different price ranges but not cheap but wonderfully durable and forgiving.

    Lighting. LED. I have a flat 3X 1 foot fixture close to the ceiling which gives a good light. I was told again and again to avoid sets of spotlight because the lighting is inadequate. Whereas potlights are great. There are some wonderful LED options , all rather modern but OK with a traditonal kitchen. It's worth talking with a lighting expert because inadequate light is really miserable. Also consider LED lights under your upper cabinets in addition to ceiling lights.

    I hope this helps. Ros

  • William William on May 06, 2020

    You paint countertops

    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20countertop

    Paint cabinets

    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=paint%20cabinets

    Replace lighting

    https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=replace%20ceiling%20light

  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on May 06, 2020

    There are some really convincing stone look laminate countertops. Take a look at samples of those and see if there is one that looks good with your counters and paint colour. I think a warm stone would look best with your warm cupboards. (I’ve had black counters with those cupboards, and they looked good, but made the room feel so dark!). As far as lighting - find a pendant that you love and swap it for the flourescent. You’ll love it!

  • 17335038 17335038 on May 06, 2020

    IMO the fastest way to update any room is to first change the light fixtures to LED. This is a clear, bright light compared with the greenish tone of fluorescent, and the yellowy tone of the older incandescent bulbs.


    However, there are some differences within LED light, depending on the number of kelvins and the type of light (warm or cool). The different types of LED light can greatly affect what various colors in the room appear to be.


    Here are some pictures to explain:

  • 17335038 17335038 on May 06, 2020

    The choices in LED fixtures, whether they are the type that take LED screw-in light bulbs, or whether they are the integrated LED light fixtures, are increasing all the time. Many integrated fixtures are lightweight, shallow, and flush mounted, or semi flush mounted to the ceiling. See first two pictures below for examples. The third picture below shows the inside of an integrated LED light.


    Installing a dimmer switch on your kitchen lights allow for more variation in lighting according to time of year and activity level in the room. If you have ample head room in the kitchen, I would also recommend an integrated LED light ceiling fan with a remote control. A ceiling fan with enclosed motor parts requires less maintenance and is easier to keep clean. (Fourth picture).

  • Janice Janice on May 07, 2020

    With your current cabinetry and grey paint you plan, I'd go either very light or very dark with your countertops. Your preference, but a soft white some grey and sparkly bits of glimmer wuld be lovely. For lights you can now purchase LED tube lighting to replace the flourescent bulbs in your current overhead lights or you could find some "artsy" hanging lighting to jazz up the area. Keeping things neutral, you can add some "pop" with kitchen accessories in a color that makes you happy.

  • Mattie Barney Mattie Barney on May 07, 2020

    If you are not replacing the floor, you should stick with colors that compliment the floor or use some of the tones from the floor. Otherwise it won't get that finished look.

  • Dee Dee on May 07, 2020

    I agree with Mattie. But if the floors have gray in them [hard to see] I would get a quartz countertop that looks like carrera marble. The white will gray veins would look fabulous with agreeable gray walls. My son has that in his house and it is a home run. There is also a laminate version of carrera marble at Lowes which would be less expensive. As for lighting. I would either go with an LED fixture, you can get these at Costco, Home Depot or Lowes. Or if you really want to splurge, get pot lights put in and use LED light bulbs.

    I do not light ceiling fans in the kitchen because of the grease. You have to clean them constantly


    If there is no gray in your floor, there are lots of granite options that have the cream colors. The difference between granite and quartz is granite has to be sealed approximately every 2-3 years. Quartz does not stain and does not need to be sealed.

  • 17335038 17335038 on May 07, 2020

    A note about solid surface countertops, such as Corian, granite, quartz.:

    The cost quoted pr sq ft is only for the flat portions of the countertop Not the edge finish, or profile, that you choose.


    The cost pr linear foot of profile, for example, bullnose, pencil, etc. is additional to the cost pr sq ft of the flat portions of the countertop.


    Here are some countertop profiles that are available:

  • Glenna Rollins Glenna Rollins on May 08, 2020

    Your light oak cabinets and appliances are great! And... if you must go with a countertop choose something in a white gray granite / marble look. Stay super light, super simple, classic lines. I persaonally would not change that counter, it's fabulous. I'd go with a blue silver mosaic backsplash, a couple of huge matching blue flower arrangements on the cabinet tops, group your terrific primitive figures over the refrigerator cabinets, and use this amazing look to your advantage. Go to a craft store, do your flowers yourself, custom, only blue with greenery in the baskets, which should match your cabinets. Purchase a slightly larger rug in a blue white / perhaps a plaid to bring out the worth of your figures. Sometimes we seek something different when we have perfection waiting for just a tweak or two. Be blessed. Tile sample, Lowes

  • Melanie Czoka Melanie Czoka on May 08, 2020

    I love when everything is white, or black, when the walls are grey. I loves those cabinets!

  • Anna Anna on May 08, 2020

    I would match the countertop to the lightest color in your floor, or even the darkest if that is your preference. Having the countertop and floors in same color pallet will bring the room together. And then you change your accents any time you get tired of them, without having to redo major items in the room. Good luck. SW paint is a good choice.

  • Joan Joan on May 11, 2020

    We have painted the walls and think the space looks really good. We are going to put track lighting on the ceiling. I am wondering if we should still replace the countertops to modernize the space?

  • KathyH520 KathyH520 on May 11, 2020

    I used Martha Stewart β€˜Sharkey Gray’ cabinets from Home Depot and bought the same color paint from Lowes to paint the walks. I get a lot of comments on the color!

  • KathyH520 KathyH520 on May 11, 2020

    I used a white quartz with gray veining on my countertops and antique glass in my cabinet doors

  • Anonymous Anonymous on Dec 28, 2021

    Lovely place πŸ˜€