Anyone got BLACK kitchen worktops?

[Clarabel22]

I am having a Neptune kitchen fitted, Suffolk cabinets and white with purply grey flecks granite worktop. I am about to pay for it and then cannot make changes without extra costs. I have a few days before I pay.

I fell in love with the kitchen in the showroom which was dove grey cabinets (a sort of warm french grey) with beautiful black matt textured granite worktops. I dismissed this at the time thinking black was too brave for my small kitchen so chose the white based granite worktop which is beautiful. The trouble is I can’t stop dreaming of the black ones and want to change my design to include them. The designer thinks white is better and will keep the space nice and bright. But I am not particularly bothered about this, although don’t want it looking really closed in obviously. Does anyone have advice or tips on having black worktops in the kitchen?

My kitchen is not open plan and not huge. The extension off it will mean no windows but we are having bifolds across extension so still fair amount of light coming in. We also plan to fit lights under cabinets and have led ceiling lights.

I have black granite with grey / silver flecks. You can see every crumb on it. It's a bitch to keep clean. I love granite but if I had my time over again I'd go for a lighter colour.

I have matte black worktops with a similar grey you describe. It’s a very small kitchen, but has a big window, and it looks amazing. I do agree though it’s a nightmare to keep clean. The slightest bit of moisture dries and leaves a mark. Love it though

I had shiny black granite in my last house and disliked how much effort it took to keep it looking lovely! Special granite polishing cloths etc. Total pain to maintain

I have black with speckles in a large kitchen. Looks lovely and I guess it helps I'm not a cleaning obsessive.

Honestly, all you you struggling with keeping it clean just try the Lakeland stuff.

The guy who fitted the kitchen said not to use granite cleaner - just scrape off the limescale and use soap and water.

I have a large kitchen with an island and have the black 'starburst' type granite (black with silver sparkles in it). I absolutely love it! If I had to do it again I may change the colour of the cabinets (cream shaker) but no one's getting their hands on the granite.

Looks gorgeous at Christmas with the lights down low.

I don't have a problem keeping it clean - I use a granite cleaner from Tesco. Works fine.

I think the speckles work OK in a small kitchen. I wouldn't go matt though.

My work kitchen is small, it i black and horrible. My slate surfaces on lovely oak units are lovely though. But not a small kitchen

Just had black compact laminate worktops fitted. They have a kind of watermarked pattern designed in as I am a lazy slattern who does not wish to spend any amount of time at all polishing them and look great. V. happy with them.

I used to have shiny black granite and it nearly drove me insane. I couldn't just wipe it down after we'd eaten on it or I'd been cooking near it. It had to be buffed. Then when a drop of water went on it, it had to be buffed and when someone just put a finger on it, you got it, it had to be buffed.

Now you may not be as neurotic as me and could quite happily live with marks and water stains but I think you should at least know how bloody awful it is to live with.

My slate, but only 1 year old

The trick with black shiny worktops is to keep them covered in clutter. Your kids will help you with this without even having to ask. Especially on the island unit!
Alternatively wipe them with a damp face cloth. I have a drawer full and bung them in the washing daily.

Don't do it. Worst thing I ever did. I'm constantly wiping finger prints, water marks, grease spots off them. It drives me mad. I want rid.

Black galaxy and easy to clean with HD granite cleaner and a microfibre cloth.

I have black worktops in a medium sized kitchen, put in by the previous owner. They make my kitchen seem such a dark and dreary place, especially paired with the awful black and white tiles they chose. It's all being ripped out next month for something much more cheerful.

We have black granite and white floor tiles. Whilst lovely it's hard work keeping clean. Needs buffing after every wipe! X

I have matt black slate worktops. They are wonderful. Not a big kitchen. Other colours are all pale neutrals. The worktop saves it from looking bland and insipid.

My friend has a black granite worktop and really dislikes it now. She feels it never looks clean

Even if you use granite cleaner etc. It's the crumbs and dust. Shows every speck. Good if you have surgical standards of cleanliness. For those like me who just want it to look less slatternly.... we have speckled granite. Get away with murder three kids

I hate mine and can't wait to change them. I have a big kitchen but they are so dark and oppressive.
I'm going light as soon as I can.

Black granite here. Inherited from previous owner and about 18 years old in a hard water area. It looks shit. It is dark, in a dark kitchen, too old and scratched to get shiny again. Limescale all round the taps.

Would love to change it all, but not going to have budget to do it any time soon.

My previous houses had black laminate worktops and I hated them. Black shows up every crumb and mark. Replaced with butcher block worktops and I loved it so much it’s going in the new house when I get round to it.

Glittery black granite here, I love it, but it's definitely an arse to keep nice.
I'm more of a 'quick wipe with a zoflora-y dishcloth, but you have to at least buff it dry with a bit of kitchen roll or it looks shit.
I used to buy all the posh cleaning stuff but that fell away after a year or so

Thank you all for your comments. I think I accept it would be a mistake to go with the black and am definitely sticking with the light coloured work tops.

Me! Black laminate. Not gloss, slightly flecked. Fits in with wood/black dining table and chairs. Cupboards are oak, floor is slate grey vinyl. Walls are a light brown. I think it looks good. Easy to keep clean too It is east facing though, and gets a lot of light in the morning.