What Color Granite Goes with Honey Oak Cabinets? Here are Some Design Ideas

When designing or remodeling a house, interior designers usually start the design process with the kitchen. It is one of the most important spaces in the house since it must be welcoming as well as functional.

Designing kitchens can be exciting but a challenge at the same time since there are many factors to consider.

One of them is the right combination of countertop and cabinet colors, which can be a daunting factor.

Kitchen cabinets are often made of different materials, with wood being the most common option used.

One such popular wood type is honey oak. Oak wood is a strong type of wood known for its durability and longevity, resistance to water, and wear and tear.

It is a species that adapts to stains and polishes well, with attractive grains. Honey oak is created by treating red oak wood with staining material.

The light honey color stain exposes the strong grains of the red oak creating a warm and uniformly textured surface.

Honey oak cabinets were highly popular during the 80’s and 90’s and it’s a comeback for them in 2020s and beyond.

Using it in a modern or contemporary kitchen adds warmth, richness and brings out a traditional feel to the space.

It is very important to pair up honey oak wooden cabinets with the right granite countertop color.

There are many options to select from. In this article we are going to discuss honey oak cabinets with granite countertops, and the different granite colors that match well with honey oak cabinets.

Color Options of Granite Countertops for Honey Oak Cabinets

When selecting granite countertop colors, one should note not only the primary shade but the undertones and associated hues as well, to pair up well with the light honey oak tone.

Sometimes the undertones and specks can be overpowering than the original color.

Honey oak is a warm colour therefore it is wise to choose colors that are neutral or warm such as gray, white, black, warm beige, brown and cream shades that would go well with the orange hues of oak.

Let’s now illustrate some granite countertop colors that match well with honey-oak cabinets:

Dark Gray Granite

Gray is an extremely versatile color that will match well with honey oak. It is one of the most popular granite colors that designers easily opt for when choosing kitchen countertops.

When selecting a gray countertop, it is vital to select one with warm undertones, with specks of brown, yellow, beige or gold to pair perfectly with honey oak.

To make this combo stand out, one should opt for a lighter wall and flooring color if the kitchen is an enclosed space.

Combining gray with honey oak can bring out a contemporary feel in a classical space. It is a trending color choice today.

Ivory Granite

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Ivory or off-white/ creamy color granite countertop can add warmth and richness to a space.
It is a bit darker than white with rich golden, brown or gray undertones that play well with honey oak stain.

Some ivory granites have specks of pink, green and blue as well. You can always try to work around with a different undertone to match the cabinetry.

To bring out an airy and spacious feel, try pairing it up with white or cream walls with golden accent colorrs.

White Granite

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White granite is extremely stunning and versatile making it a great addition to your kitchen.

White is a neutral colour that blends seamlessly with all other colours especially wood tones such as honey oak bringing out the best of both.

Another great advantage of white granite countertops is that it replicates marble giving out a marble like finish at a low cost.

White granite comes with gray, black or brown veining and textured spots, such as Snowfall granite.

Although most of them have a strong primary base, others are characterized with strong undertone and heavy texture.

Hence both go well with light wooden cabinetry as well as any wall and accent colors making it a viable and sleek choice for kitchen countertops.

Black Granite

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Black is timeless, elegant and stylish making it a bold choice for countertops. Black blended with honey oak brings out a modern twist in a traditional setting.

Black cannot always be the ideal colour if it’s a small kitchen, but if it has more natural light source, and openness then it can be a great option.  

Since black has a sharp contrast and dimensional feel, it can become a great focal point in the kitchen.

Another benefit of adding black granite is the low maintenance since stains would be less visible.

To bring out a more harmonious and subdued touch, select a black with undertones of brown, gold and grey such as black galaxy or black pearl that can blend in well with the wooden cabinets making it more visually appealing.

Warm Beige Granite

Warm beige has similar tones to honey oak cabinets making it a great choice for countertops if selected with proper care.

This is because warm beige has many variations and it can be daunting to choose the right granite. If you want to create a pure monochromatic scheme, then warm beige is ideal.

Select a granite that has warm undertones; ivory beige with brown specks or beige with cream, gold and caramel tones. Warm beige with honey oak can be very inviting, creating a subtle classical appearance.

Brown Granite

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Similar to warm beige, brown granite is also a good choice to go with honey oak wood.

Earthy tones give out natural vibes and adds a traditional touch to the space. Chocolate or coffee brown granite with variations of black and gray can create a stark contrast to the light wood cabinets.

Earthy tones with cream and tan would be softer, giving out a feeling of rhythmic movement in the space.  Ideal options of brown granite can be Baltic brown, Coffee brown and Ivory brown.

Factors to consider before choosing granite colors

Granite, once installed cannot be replaced easily. Considering the cost involved therefore it is necessary to choose the right colour keeping other factors in mind.

Colour palette – Paint colors and flooring need to be taken into consideration before selecting granite countertops. Light wall colours tend to highlight the cabinets and countertops.

Room size – Size of the room matters a lot. Too many dark colors in a small space can look cramped up. A Kitchen needs to be inviting and functional.

Lighting – Natural and artificial light plays a crucial role when choosing granite colours. Dark countertops and honey oak cabinets without enough lighting will make the space dull and dark.

Open space or closed space – if your kitchen is an enclosed area then you can experiment with colours but if it is an open kitchen then make sure the countertops sync well with the rest of the house to create a flow.

Patterns and textures – granite comes with various patterns and textures as discussed earlier. It is vital to choose the right patterns to match the overall space. Too many big patterns may not be advisable with honey oak cabinets in a small space but can help create a visual movement in a spacious kitchen.

Granite countertops are sleek and stylish. With many beautiful options available, there is definitely one out there for you to match your honey oak cabinets.

It can be a tough choice to select the right one; but if you consider all of the above factors then it can be done in a breeze.

Some Info about Granite

Granite is an all natural material that is directly derived from the stone quarries, cut, polished and used for countertops.

Formed over millions of years from molten rock under the earth’s surface, it is environmentally friendly and known for its hardness, durability and heat resistant properties.

It is a cheaper option for countertops compared to its counterpart marble. Because it is composed of crystallized minerals such as feldspar, quartz and mica that are interlocked, it has a natural occurrence that results in variation of colors in granite with each having a unique distribution of veins and grains that are somewhat similar to wood grains.

This is what makes granite naturally beautiful and the variety of colors makes it an ideal choice to go with honey oak cabinets.