Is black granite dated?

[Blackestofgranite]

I have a cream shaker kitchen with black granite worktops, we put it in 14 years ago and it’s in need of a revamp.

The thing is we’re looking to move in the next 2/3 years so I don’t want to spend a fortune and also need it to be something that will be saleable.

I’m going to paint the cupboards but don’t know what to do about the worktop which is black granite. I don’t like it at all anymore and think it looks dated but don’t know whether it’s worth changing it or what to change it to.

I think it’s classic. What other colour granite would you go for? Unless you mean granite in general - in which case it depends on your taste. Personally it’s the only thing I’d have in my kitchen, other than perhaps slate.

It sounds lovely. Much nicer than the shiny/grey kitchens that have become trendy.

Wood is trendier, granite is dated in my eyes and I’d factor it in as wanting to replace it. But if the cupboards were 14 years old I’d factor replacing into the price either way.

I think it's a classic, especially with a shaker kitchen (which I also have). Its a good timeless option for resale I think, never at the forefront of trends but never out of fashion either. I deliberately didn't choose an on trend kitchen as I didn't want it to date quickly.

That’s just it I went for classic as it wouldn’t date as quickly but I’m so fed up of it now,

The cabinets are really good quality, so once painted it will be impossible to tell they’re 14 years old.

If I was staying I go for a very light granite or corian worktop or pale wood but not sure if it’s worth it for a couple of years. Though it would make me happy as I could also put in a boiling water tap 😁

Wood is trendier

And much harder to keep looking nice. We had to replace our wooden worktop after it went black around the sink. Our worktop is made from Getacore and is still looking good after 10 years.

I have black granite, it went in about three years ago, I love it, it has a depth of sheen to it that you can’t get in other materials and makes the kitchen look much more expensive, which I guess it is.

Wood I don’t think is trendier, it’s really hard to maintain as well it’s just a different taste.

If you don’t like it though, then change it to something you do like. Everyone has different tastes.

Granite is classic and way peasy to look after. I'd never have wooden worktops. I might consider corian. But actually I've had granite worktops for decades in two different homes and I'd have them in my next one.

Yes, black granite is somewhat dated, but only in the same way that the grey granite I put in 5 years ago is very 2015, and the white quartz I put into our new house screams ‘2020 kitchen’.

If I were considering buying your house I would probably just be grateful for the granite, wouldn’t mind so much that it was black. It’s a classic shaker look and pairs well with a soft neutral cream. I wouldn’t consider replacing it unless the whole kitchen was going. I would consider replacing wood because it’s a pain to live with (even though I prefer the look).

Stone worktops cost a fortune and are resource intensive to produce. Please consider keeping it. It’s a fantastic material to cook with.

We have a white composite granite (not corian, had white corian once and had to clean it with jif as it stained so badly) and pale pink cupboards.

I loved our kitchen with black granite 15 years ago and still think they look lovely. Def change the paint colour to something fresher and more modern.

Shiny granite is dated, matt still looks modern.

I had no idea that granite was considered dated TBH. I tend not to follow interior design fashion trends, but choose what I like the look of.

I definitely think if you’re into interior trends black granite is dated, which I’m not particularly. I think I’m more bored of it as I’ve lived with it for so long.

I’m still undecided whether it’s worth changing it just because I’m bored. The consensus seems to be it wouldn’t make a difference to saleability, especially as there are so many different opinions already on this thread as to whether people like it or not.

But that’s just it! The interiors trends exist to make people want to rip out perfectly good kitchens and put new in. I’d say the lifespan of a kitchen should be up to 20 years, but after 4-5 they tend to look ‘outdated’

I think, even if a little dated, it gives potential buyers a nudge that there is a good quality kitchen there. They can replace it at their own speed.

Better to spend the money on some paint a few months before you move or sprucing up the front garden.

I think black granite is timeless. We have it in our kitchen and we always getting compliments.

My last house had wooden worktops and I would never, ever have them again.

Do you have a separated area like an island or separate run where you could swap the worktop for wood? This only works if that area has no sink or hob... granite is much more practical around those.

Tbh granite is IMO the best kitchen worktop material from a practicality point of view. It doesn’t chip, scratch or stain and you can put hot things straight on it. It looks luxurious even if not bang on trend. In your shoes I would look at painting the cabinets an on trend colour (pink? green? off-black?) instead.

I have black granite that is about 15 years old and looks as good as new. It’s amazingly resilient and easy to look after. It is dated but I reckon the great thing about it is that by the time it comes back in fashion in another 15 years it will STILL look brand new.

We've just moved into our new house which has cream (gloss) units and black granite worktops. We wouldn't have picked it ourselves but think it looks really smart, quite timeless and have no plans to change it if that helps.

If you don’t like it though, then change it to something you do like. Everyone has different tastes.
This is very true. We all have different tastes and different styles. If you’re not into interiors and aren’t chasing the interior market I wouldn’t bother changing anything and let the buyers change it if they see fit.

I’d keep it - stone is so hard wearing, resource-heavy to produce, and costs a fortune! I couldn’t justify replacing it given you’ll not have it in 2 years time .

Kitchen companies are desperate to convince people things are “dated” so you replace them often, whilst insisting your new kitchen will “last a lifetime”. Until it’s outdated...

@Saz12

I’d keep it - stone is so hard wearing, resource-heavy to produce, and costs a fortune! I couldn’t justify replacing it given you’ll not have it in 2 years time .

Kitchen companies are desperate to convince people things are “dated” so you replace them often, whilst insisting your new kitchen will “last a lifetime”. Until it’s outdated...

A really good point.

If its that black granite with sparkly bits in it then yes a bit dated. But otherwise no. I'd keep it and maybe change up some of your kitchen accessories and decor to suit and give it a refresh, eg sleek black kitchen roll holder etc. I find I see a lot of kitchens that are a certain style, but a style that doesn't match the black granite at all. If you complement the granite properly then it looks great.

I love black granite, I'd have it in a heartbeat if I could. Currently have Corian, which is a PITA.

Could you have it refinished to shine it up a bit?

We had it in our old kitchen and I found it really practical, easy to clean, resistant to heat and it always looked good. The only disadvantage I would say is that it made our kitchen really dark but if you have a bright room it would probably be fine.

We have white quartz (silestone) now and I have to say I really don't like it as much as the granite. I find you have to be careful around the sink in case it gets chipped and really careful with hot items.