FAQ Friday: What granite would go with natural maple cabinets?

Today's question comes from one of our readers, Donna.

"... I am stumped on what to put with my natural maple cabinets.  I have a taupe-y tan beautiful backsplash now with... pewter dark gray cabinet knobs.  They are beautiful and high quality cabinets but nothing seems to go with them!!!  I really cannot change the splash at this point as it is the second one I have had in and it was expensive.  It's neutral enough to go with many things.  I hate to just be predictable and go with a black, I like the lighter colors of granite and with pattern and movement, and not the common ones you see so much.  ...  I hear other people lamenting the difficulties of finding something that goes well with natural maple.  I think the black granites with it look so '90's, lol.   ...I thought maybe you would know what goes well with natural maple traditional cabinets with a contemporary twist.  ... The cabinets do have movement in the wood on their own so that limits the choice as well.   This is really hard!!!"

I do get asked pretty regularly about what granite looks good on maple cabinets, so I thought I'd answer Donna's question here.  While it's hard to make suggestions without seeing the room in person or in pictures hopefully I can make a few suggestions that will help!


I personally really like whites and greys on natural maple cabinets.  It's a clean and more modern look.  One of my favorite kitchens I've ever done was natural maple cabinets with Pietra Cardosa countertops.

For white countertops I'd suggest  CaesarStone's Blizzard (quartz), Carrara marble or Kashmire White granite.
Here are a couple of pictures with white countertops....

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Photo: Coastal Living

For grey countertops I'd suggest Pietra Cardosa schist, Soapstone or CaesarStone's Pebble (quartz).  Here are some pictures with grey countertops...

contemporary kitchen design by los angeles architect Narita Architects

contemporary kitchen design by boston architect Gleysteen Design

modern kitchen design by boston architect LDa Architecture & Interiors

As far as Donna's comment about the black countertops looking like the 1980's I totally see where she is coming from. That's my first thought too!  I found some pictures with black countertops that I think are beautiful though....and they don't look 80's at all. :)

eclectic kitchen design by san francisco general contractor Mueller Nicholls Cabinets and Construction

traditional kitchen design by los angeles interior designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

My last suggestion is finding a medium toned granite that has greys and golds.  Colors like Juparana Fantastico, Taupe and Typhoon Bordeaux would all be really pretty.
Here are a couple of examples...

eclectic bathroom design by san francisco design-build On The Beam Remodeling, Inc.

Photo: Decor Pad

Good luck Donna (and all you other reader's who have natural maple cabinets)!  I'm sure you'll be able to find something beautiful.