What colour worktop with these kitchen units?

[IceCreamCastles]

We have (almost) chosen <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=crown+kitchens+newhaven&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUK360&biw=1280&bih=702&tbm=isch&tbnid=FpyJamGnH1fgBM:&imgrefurl=www.farnhamfurnishers.co.uk/kitchens/crown/Newhaven/&docid=dHPQimBjOmD_-M&imgurl=www.farnhamfurnishers.co.uk/kitchens/crown/Newhaven/Newhaven_01_main.jpg&w=646&h=399&ei=oaWtTuHbC4GB8gOMu9mtCw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=157&vpy=254&dur=4955&hovh=176&hovw=286&tx=182&ty=97&sig=107364857483790377652&page=1&tbnh=98&tbnw=159&start=0&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">these kitchen units for our new kitchen diner but I am clueless about what colour / type of worktop to go for.

We are having decent quality wood effect vinyl flooring in a fairly light shade if that helps.

Handles will be silver but not as long those pictured.

Appliances are silver / black.

Black granite?

Walnut looks lovely with creamy coloured units. The richness of the wood stands out well against light units.

wood looks lovely but is quite high mainatiance, especially in a family kitchen
it also changes colour over time so it might start off co-ordinatig with your flooring but the in a year or so might not be such a good match

it depends on your budget but I would either go for a chocolate tone granite or a wood effect laminate

either a rich or warm walnut would look nice

if you do go for a laminate, make sure it is bullnosed -this means the lamiate wraps all the way round the edge, rather than stopping at the bottom of it, so it is less likely to blow in wet areas like aroud your sink

Aghh - 3 responses, 3 different ideas. Thanks!

Think I will avoid wood - I'm not great at maintenance.

I am quite happy to go with laminate for now - maybe upgrade to granite in a few years if I'm not satisfied but always had laminate before (never chosen before though) and not had any problems. It will be good quality stuff in any event - thanks for the bullnosing tip.

I'm not sure about the wood effect laminates - plus would a walnut effect worktop look odd with a lighter colour wood floor?

Kitchen man suggested black granite / granite effect laminate but I can't work out if I think that looks too harsh against the cream?

I have (nearly) your kitchen.

I have a birch floor, so quite light. We have oak laminate worktops, because we want something hard-wearing due to the kids. And an oak kitchen table.

Pics on profile.

Ooh, thanks quint. That's helpful- we have a near identical table!
of your pretty windows.

I love the warm glow of the oak laminate worktop. We were considering walnut, but found it too dark. The oak was much lighter and warmer. Shame the pics are so small!

If you have a look here you will find near identical kitchens, with all sorts of worktops pictured. Just ignore the language.

please don't go for black

it only looks good with white high gloss units i design kitchens and frequently talk people out of it

walnut there are several shades available, oak is easier to co-ordinate with furniture as there is more available

alternatively you could look at a rich granite effect lamiate which has a warm tone but isn't wood so you are not trying to match several different woods (or wood effects)

Think black granite is .. classic .. (I have it) but can also be a bit ubiquitous! Have you looked at any of the mid-grey ones (one called Steel Grey is lovely with lots of texture) or even something pale grey and speckly which might have a similar 'weight' to your flooring, but would add interest (and doesn't show the crumbs as much [hgrin])

What are you having on the floor?

I think it is always better to compliment the untits with a similar tone to the floor.

I was going to say have you thought of having worktops with the same material as the flooring?

But vinyl would not do. You could do it with hardwood or tiles.

I recently had a kitchen fitted with vinyl flooring (have used it before) and notice it got dented and bumpy very fast just from having applianced stood on it or wheeled into place. I will try laminate fake tile next time.

Otherwise I thought chocolate brown would tone with the cream units (but not with black or silver nappliances)

A mottled or patterned worktop shows marks less. Don't use coloured or black gloss. It will soon look shabby.

We have cream units and went for duropal brown sahara and I think it looks good. We also have a lightish wood karndean floor. Happy to post pics if you're interested.

We are having similar coloured cabinets (not same shape) with a bright green quartz. Depends how brave you are!

Jasper- yes- a picture would be great. We have the duropal samples here so can def consider that one.

Sounds fab nosey but I am far from brave!

Piglet- I was happy with the vinyl in our old house and am confident in the quality of the stuff we're getting and the calibre of the fitter. Are there any alternatives? I don't like tiles as they are too cold and hard.

Anything else anyone thinks we should consider? Open to suggestions!

have put a couple of photos on - did a close up one of the worktop but its on its side - sorry! Hopefully you can still get the idea.

I am not convinced about that worktop with the black appliances. An shade of grey or green would be good.

Great. Dh has now complicated matters by saying that he thinks he'd like granite after all!

Can't see your profile jasper- sorry.

Like the sound of grey. Will investigate.

If you want to look at grey there was a thread on here about Welsh slate a week or so ago, and there were some gorgeous worktops on there...

I got a dark brown laminate, sort of leathery, sounds weird, but quite nice actually! It's a bushboard one.

icecreamcastles did you complete your kitchen. I am about to start and am thinking of high cream gloss, oak laminate worktops and some sort of oak effect flooring. Wondered how you got on. Not 100% sure yet or go for oak kitchen and dont then know about anything else!!!!