Your kitchen has a lot going on visually – countertops, backsplashes and cabinetry. While cabinetry takes up a lot of real estate, the façade tends to serve as a backdrop. Homeowners choose luxurious materials, such as granite, for the countertops. They also like to get creative when it comes to the backsplash. Coordinate the two surfaces so that you find harmony in your kitchen's décor.

Start with the Countertop

Your countertop takes up more visual space and also provides an essential work surface, so choose this first. As Better Homes and Gardens points out, granite is an ideal material – it's also one of the most common. Granite is a durable yet beautiful material that requires little maintenance to last for years. You have a wide variety of color and pattern options as well as finish and edging choices. This makes granite a good choice for customizing the look of your kitchen. Other stones such as marble, quartz, and soapstone are also good for your countertops.

Match a Color

If you've chosen granite or marble, your countertops probably feature marbling or speckling. One option for providing a cohesive effect is to match a color from that patterning. For instance, if you have granite with golden flecks, consider utilizing this color in your backsplash. You could opt for simple tiles in that color or a mosaic in golden shades.

Try a Neutral Backsplash

If you want your countertops to take center stage, consider a neutral backsplash. For example, white subway tiles are a classic. If you tile your backsplash with these, the grouting will provide a little subtle patterning, but the overall effect will recede. Such a combination looks timeless in any kind of kitchen, from country to modern.

Opt for Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is another version of a neutral backsplash. However, it gives your kitchen a decidedly modern, even industrial profile. A stainless steel backsplash is ideal if you have a chef-inspired kitchen. Such a backsplash is nearly indestructible and very easy to clean. Choose a brushed finish so the backsplash doesn't show fingerprints.

Match Materials

You may fall in love with your countertop material. If that's the case, use it for your backsplash as well. For example, perhaps you've decided to indulge in marble countertops. Have the contractors utilize marble tiles behind the stove and sink. Matching the materials for both surfaces works best with a light base color. Darker colors can make your space feel small – unless your cabinetry is light. For instance, you could start with white cabinets topped in black granite, then utilize that material on the walls. The effect would be ultra-modern.

Be deliberate in how you match your countertops and backsplash for the most cohesive kitchen décor.

For granite countertops, contact a company such as Artisan Granite & Marble.