We Asked Designers Which Countertop Colors Instantly Make a Kitchen Look Tacky—And They Chose These 5

A kitchen’s countertop is just as important as its cabinets and flooring. It’s one of the first things that catches the eye, and its color guides the rest of the space—but according to designers, that’s not always a good thing.

They’re here spilling the top five tacky countertop colors they’re sick of seeing in kitchens; but if you’re stuck with one of these, don’t worry. They’re also sharing their best styling secrets, and ways to make it work.

White

The top tacky countertop color is a surprising one, because it’s often viewed as a safe neutral choice. Stark, pure white counters are commonly seen in newer kitchens, especially in rentals, but tend to feel clinical, cold, and outdated.

However, white can also do wonders in increasing natural light and making the space feel bigger. If your goal is to keep things as bright and airy as possible, Otto Tiles and Design’s founder Damla Turgut says to lean into natural materials with variation and texture.

Consider marble with dimensional veining or limewashed wood, and if you’re a renter, designer Peter Spalding has a few styling suggestions.

“You need to acknowledge these are the colors you are working with, and not try to make them work with today’s more toasty color schemes,” Spalding says. “To enliven kitchens with these sad surfaces, I like to use icy, silvery blues accented by pieces in light wood finishes, bold and abstract art in nearly-primary colors, and colorful pots and pans.”

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Brown

Between cozy-chic soft furnishings and beautiful brunette floors, brown is having a major moment in living rooms and bedrooms—but interior designer Thomas Borcherding says it’s an instant giveaway for an outdated kitchen when used in one specific countertop material.

“Mud brown slabs of granite were most popular in the 2000s and 2010s,” he explains. “They’re characterized by specks of quartz—but due to the iron-rich content of the granite, these countertops often appear rusted and muddy.”

To help brighten the rest of the kitchen, keep cabinetry and wall colors in the cream and beige family, and look for shades that intentionally bring out the lighter shades in your countertop.

Red

If you’re in love with the idea of a red countertop but want a more versatile version, our experts recommend skipping the brighter hues and going warm, dark, or muted.

“Primary red, regardless of whether it leans blue or orange, is a very harsh color to balance,” Turgut says. “It tends to dominate the room, and feels more chaotic than characterful.”

Look for opulent shades of maroon or burgundy, earthy terracotta, or introduce the color in a subtle way through natural materials like marble.

If you’re a renter who can’t replace or redo your counter, paint surrounding cabinets with warm and soft neutral shades to keep the space from feeling overwhelming.

Yellow

Despite being a major staple in cozy ’90s kitchens, countertops in mustard, magnolia, and Tuscan yellow can feel dull and unflattering amongst today’s more subtle hues.

To balance out muddy undertones and make yellow countertops feel more modern, Turgut suggests skipping cooler-toned paints, leaning into neutral and warm shades, and keeping metal hardware purposefully-antique style.

“Color-drench the space in complementary warm neutrals, stony yellows, mushroom, or taupe, so the countertop becomes part of a cohesive look,” she says. “Natural timber, aged brass, and brushed bronze will also bring instant elegance and stop the palette from feeling dated.”

Green

Although nature-inspired, earthy green is always on-trend for kitchen cabinets, backsplashes, walls and decor, Borcherding believes they have no place on a kitchen countertop— especially not a bright laminate.

But if you simply can’t get enough of this soothing shade, try incorporating it through a countertop made of marble or granite instead.

“In order to make eccentric countertop colors like green work, you need a cabinetry line that offers dozens of color selections, or custom colors,” he says. “Stock cabinetry with only a few choices simply will not offer the colors you need to make your countertops work.”