Choosing the right countertop color to go with oak cabinets can be a challenging decision. With so many options like granite, marble, and quartz, it can be overwhelming to select the perfect color scheme. However, quartz countertops provide an excellent complement to the beautiful grain and texture of oak cabinets.
When opting for quartz, consider soft neutral tones like white, cream, gray, and taupe. These lighter colors help enhance the wood undertones of oak cabinets for a seamless and sophisticated look. Stay away from bold, dark countertop colors, which can clash with oak’s inherent vibrancy.
Consider key factors like the look you wish to achieve, patterns in the cabinetry, and the overall style of the kitchen when making this important design choice. Read on for an in-depth look at the best quartz countertop colors to pair with oak cabinets.
Balancing Wood Tones with Light Quartz Colors
Oak cabinets showcase gorgeous wood patterns that consist of dramatic grains and knots. The wood exudes warm, orange-brown hues that can vary from a light tan to a deeper walnut shade.
With such visible wood character, the ideal countertop color will complement the cabinets without competing for visual attention. Here are some top choices:
Classic White Quartz
A crisp white quartz provides the perfect neutral backdrop for rich oak cabinetry. White draws out the wood undertones, making the oak grain stand out beautifully.
With a light and airy appearance, white quartz counteracts the heavier wood visual weight. This creates a lighter, balanced aesthetic.
Avoid opting for a pure bright white, which may appear too stark against the oak. Instead, look for a white quartz with subtle gray veining or undertones for a softer look.
Creamy Off-White Quartz
For a slightly warmer option than classic white, consider an off-white or antique white quartz. The subtle creaminess provides a soft and welcoming vibe.
An off-white quartz with faint gray veining helps pick up the range of grays and tans within oak wood. This creates a harmonious and elegant visual flow.
Stay away from beige-toned creams, which can look dingy against oak cabinets. Keep it fresh with a hint of gray.
Light Gray Quartz
On the cooler side of the color spectrum, light gray quartz delivers a soothing and refreshing vibe. The muted gray tone allows the wood grain variations in oak cabinets to take center stage.
Look for a gray quartz with warm undertones rather than cool blue undertones. This prevents a sterile, icy look.
Gray quartz with brown, taupe, or white veining helps bridge the gap between the gray surface and oak cabinets below. Overall, light gray quartz beautifully complements the tan, honey, and caramel hues in oak wood.
Soft Taupe Quartz
For a warm and inviting vibe, consider a light taupe quartz with oak cabinets. The subtle mix of gray and brown in taupe quartz meshes seamlessly with similar tones in the wood grain.
Stay away from darker or more saturated taupe colors, which may compete visually with the oak cabinetry. Opt for a soft, muted taupe with plenty of gray veining for an organic and soothing aesthetic.
Overall, soft taupe quartz allows the wood grain in oak cabinets to take center stage while providing a harmonious backdrop.
Avoiding Clashes with Dark Quartz Colors
While light quartz shades pair seamlessly with oak cabinets, darker colors often compete with the wood tones and result in a disjointed look. Here are some quartz shades to avoid:
Black Quartz
A pure black quartz countertop presents too harsh a contrast against warm oak cabinets. The dark color overwhelms the oak, drowning out the beautiful wood patterns.
Black also creates a weighty, somber look that doesn’t complement oak’s natural vibrancy. It absorbs light rather than reflecting it, resulting in a dull, awkward aesthetic.
Dark Gray Quartz
Though lighter grays pair well with oak, darker charcoal grays compete with the wood tones. The saturated gray color fights for attention, distracting from the oak grain’s subtle beauty.
Dark gray quartz also introduces a contemporary vibe that clashes with oak’s traditional warmth and natural elegance. Overall, it creates an unbalanced, unsophisticated look.
Bold Color Quartz
Vibrant quartz colors like bright red, emerald, sapphire, and other shades can overwhelm oak’s natural wood hues.
The eye focuses on the bold countertop color rather than the gorgeous cabinetry. As a result, the oak grain gets drowned out, creating an unharmonious and distracting color scheme.
Factoring in Oak Cabinet Style
The exact hue and style of the oak cabinets should inform your quartz countertop selection. Here’s how:
Light Tan Oak Cabinets
Cathedral-style oak cabinets in light tan or blond wood benefit from equally light quartz colors. A creamy white, soft gray, or antique white quartz beautifully complements the cabinets’ muted tones.
Stay away from contrasting dark grays or black quartz, which will look too harsh and distracting.
Medium Oak Cabinets
Traditional medium oak cabinets contain more saturated orange-brown hues than light oak. Soft muted grays and antique white quartz offer an excellent pairing.
For a touch of contrast, consider pairing with a quartz containing dark brown veining, which echoes the deeper oak tones.
Dark Walnut Oak Cabinets
Darker walnut oak cabinets showcase bold brownish-black oak grains. Pair with off-white or light gray quartz to balance out the deep wood colors.
For more vibrancy, combine with a quartz containing dark grays and black veining. This picks up on the dramatic tones within the oak.
The Impact of Oak Cabinets with Different Patterns
Oak cabinet doors come in varying wood grain patterns that also impact the ideal quartz pairing:
Cathedral Grain Oak Cabinets
Cathedral oak has vertical straight wood grains that showcase a minimalist, uniform look. To complement this simplicity, opt for a quartz with subtle veining in a light cream, gray, or white tone.
Avoid heavily veined quartz, which competes with the clean oak grain pattern.
Rift Cut Oak Cabinets
Rift cut oak features straight, close-set parallel grains with a linear look. A evenly toned gray, tan, or cream quartz complements this pattern best.
Heavily veined quartz distracts from rift cut oak’s uniform beauty.
Quarter Sawn Oak Cabinets
Quarter sawn oak showcases dramatic arched grain rays streaking across the wood. Pair this artsy look with an equally vibrant quartz containing bold gray streaks or brown accents.
Plain white or cream quartz fails to match quarter sawn oak’s dynamic pattern.
Factoring in the Overall Kitchen Style
Beyond the cabinetry, keep the complete kitchen design style in mind when selecting a quartz countertop hue.
Traditional Kitchen
In a traditional kitchen with ornate trim, oak cabinets, and a homey vibe, opt for softer countertop colors. Creamy whites, antique whites, and light grays suit the classic elegance.
Vibrant quartz colors overwhelm the traditional aesthetic. Simple is best.
Contemporary Kitchen
For a sleek contemporary space with clean lines, combine oak cabinets with dazzling white or darker dramatic gray quartz. This funky pairing lends modern flair.
Muted grays and beiges fail to provide enough visual interest in a contemporary setting with oak cabinets.
Transitional Kitchen
In transitional kitchens blending modern and traditional elements, bridge the gap with a light gray quartz. The gray tones add a modern twist while remaining neutral enough for the traditional side.
Stark whites and creamy beiges are too limiting. Light gray strikes the ideal balance.
Enhancing Specific Areas with Strategic Quartz Colors
Beyond the countertops, consider using quartz colors strategically throughout the kitchen for a cohesive design:
Quartz Backsplash
Add a gray, white, or antique white quartz backsplash to tie in with quartz countertops.
Slab backsplashes cleanly complement the continuous countertop. Tile backsplashes provide attractive contrast.
Quartz Island
Use a dramatic gray quartz on the island only for bold contrast against oak cabinets. Keep other countertops light.
Quartz Accents
Add quartz material to open shelves, desk areas, or topping kitchen islands for further decoration.
Matching these accents to the main countertop color creates visual harmony. Contrasting accents can add interest.
Expert Tips for Quartz with Oak Cabinets
Follow these professional design tips when pairing quartz with oak cabinets:
- Sample different quartz in person. Colors and patterns vary across brands.
- View quartz samples in different lighting. Color perception changes.
- Coordinate any wall paint, tile, or flooring to harmonize with the chosen palette.
- If selecting a busier quartz pattern, keep oak cabinet doors simple. Allow each surface to shine.
- Consider how natural light interacts with the space. Cool northern light affects color perception.
Quartz Countertop Cost Considerations
Though beautiful, quartz countertops come at a price. Here’s what to expect:
- Price Range: $50 – $100 per square foot installed
- More expensive than laminate but less costly than natural stone.
- Cost depends on quartz quality, patterns, and color. White is most affordable.
- Professional installation runs $35 – $75 per square foot.
- Budget forremove and replacement of old countertop.
- Total costs for a 30 sq ft countertop = $2,000 – $4,000
Factor long-term durability into the cost. Quartz is extremely low maintenance compared to other natural stone options. The 10-15 year lifespan pays dividends over time.
FAQ about Quartz Countertops with Oak Cabinets
Does quartz work with oak cabinets?
Yes, quartz offers an excellent complement to oak cabinets. The key is selecting a light-colored quartz in white, cream, gray, or taupe. Darker quartz competes with oak cabinets. Light quartz elegantly accentuates the wood grain.
What color quartz goes with oak?
The best quartz colors for oak cabinets are:
- White
- Creamy Off-White
- Light Gray
- Soft Taupe
These lighter neutrals allow the oak cabinetry to take center stage.
Can you mix granite and quartz countertops?
Yes, pairing granite and quartz countertops together can create an attractive contrast. Use quartz on the island or main surfaces to coordinate with oak cabinets. Add granite as accents for visual interest.
Does quartz add value to a home?
Yes. Quartz countertops increase resale value. Quartz is viewed as a premium material that buyers favor over outdated options like laminate. The sleek appearance and durability make quartz a smart investment.
Is quartz better than granite?
Quartz and granite have trade-offs. Granite offers a natural stone look. Quartz provides greater stain, scratch and heat resistance. Both are excellent options that increase home value. Consider the look you prefer and maintenance required.
Conclusion
Quartz countertops present a fantastic pairing with oak cabinets. Opt for soft neutral tones like white, cream, light gray, or taupe quartz to allow the oak wood to take the spotlight. Avoid bold, dark quartz colors that compete with oak’s captivating grain patterns. Considering the exact oak cabinet style and overall kitchen design helps narrow down the ideal quartz hue. With proper selection, quartz and oak cabinets combine to create a luxe, harmonious kitchen aesthetic that delights.