Depending on the granite, its almost zero maintenance and will usually be less expensive than quartz. How much countertop do you need? Is there an island? For a smaller space, prefab can be a very cost effective solution.

So I've measured out my space and it looks like I'd need about 80 sq feet of countertop (depending on whether or not they can utilize scrap efficiently). I have kind of like an octagon shape around the sink area, 2 smaller pieces, and an island. Based on the size of my octagon area its going to have to have a seam as I'm told they don't make granite slabs large enough to have it seamless. So no matter what I do I know its going to be costly.

Most of our customers wind up spending between $65 an $90 per sqft for countertops... so if you have 80 sqft then that is a $2000 price swing! I would suggest you not worry about the specific material but more about what will look best with your cabinets and color scheme of your home. The most expensive stone isn't going to be the best if it looks bad! Go out and look at what is available - bring one of your doors with you and a backsplash tile if you have found one that you like and do some shopping.

The popularity of quartz tops has come about partly because of folks looking for marble counters in the kitchen and of course for the lower maintenance.

Find what looks beautiful and what you love....

So that is more than one normal slab with a very subdued pattern. If you buy two slabs there will be a lot left over. Your picture looks nice. Whats wrong with the current tops?

If we may, we have a few blogs exactly on the same dilemma! Since we hear those debited quite often, we invite you to dig in a little bit, and find the right materials for you! We have a kitchen countertop guide along with granite trend guide:

https://www.remodel-dallas.com/best-kitchen-counter-top-material/

https://www.remodel-dallas.com/learn-latest-granite-countertop-trends-colors/

Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.

Good luck!

@suzyq53 - that is isn't my kitchen. Just used the picture to show my cabinet style. Its the honey oak, but the door design isn't too dated - shaker style raised panel I believe.

I just meant the granite in the picture looks nice with the honey oak. Also that stone doesn't have a lot of movement, so it will be easier to make the seams blend.

Ah ok - gottcha Also, I was kind of hoping if there is a lot of scrap that I could just use it to update my half bath countertops off the kitchen. Its not too big and I hate the thought of paying for all that waste.

Interesting links, Joseph & Berry, but you may want to edit this misinformation from your first link: "While granite is the most popular natural stone, it’s not your only choice. Marble, limestone, quartzite, and soapstone are great luxurious options, but they are not as durable as granite and will require occasional maintenance like annual sealing." Soapstone does NOT require sealing. Ever. Also, because it is impervious to stains and heat/cold, it could be considered as, or even more, durable than granite.

The way your counters are laid out, its even going to be tricky with two slabs. You really have to take an active role in the template to get it right. You might need three slabs.

You might look into leathered granite, it doesn't look like the shiny granite that younger buyers seem to want nothing to do with, and it wouldn't look too modern with your cabinetry. I have steel grey leathered granite in my kitchen... I'd have never chosen it in the polished finish, but I ADORE it leathered, and it's not an expensive grade of granite either. (I've had it over a year now, my kitchen gets heavy use and I love this stone. I have white painted maple cabinetry, but I could envision leathered granite looking great with oak.) sometimes manufacturers call the leathered finished a "brushed" finish... it's the same thing, but it's totally different than a honed finish. ;)

I am a fabricator. "I have read/heard that the granite trend is going out in favor of quartz." I see this a lot but I believe it's just part of the marketing effort of the various quartz suppliers. Over 1/2 of my business is high end residential and quartz is used in only a small fraction of the expensive homes we do and usually only in non-master bathrooms. Note many of these homes have input from spendy designers so if quartz was truly displacing natural stone I'd see a lot more of it.

Additionally, for more moderately priced homes, the least expensive natural stone is often less expensive than quartz. It's not uncommon for someone to visit my showroom and find out they can get natural stone for thousands less than quartz.

Pick the look you like, it's what you'll live with every day.

My 2 cents.

It also depends on the look you'd like. For instance, a pure white counter can look great with cabinets like yours (and really brighten the room!), and that's something that's available in quartz but not any other stone.

Yes, the quartz manufacturers try to convince homeowners that their product is bullet-proof, with no staining, etching, chipping, etc. Don't believe it. Just do a search on Houzz for "problems with Caesarstone/Cambria, etc." to educate yourself that these products are NOT all they are cracked up to be.

Also, there are many, many discussions and articles here on the comparisons among various countertop products. The most important aspect of choosing any material is to educate yourself about the pros and cons. They all have cons, you just need to figure out which you can live with.

I updated a 1990s kitchen with honey oak cabinets for a client. We chose a dark, almost black polished granite with not a lot of movement, and it looks just fine. You can get honed black granite, or a simple white quartz; either would look good with your cabinets. Just stay away from the highly speckled/veined granite and your kitchen won't look dated.

I ended up going at looking at some products today. I have also included a pic of my current kitchen below. I have white countertops now and I’m not really a fan of the white. Found 2 quartz I liked that were a warmer gray with gold veining (1 lighter and 1 darker). Gray never even crossed my mind as an option. I didn’t write the names down but I’m sure it will be on the quote. The beige and cream colors I was envisioning just didn’t do anything to accentuate the cabinets.

Watch out with gray. Warm wood tones and grays do nothing for each other, though a small amount is OK - I have some in my countertops, though there is also cream and white, keeping the overall look from being too gray. The gold veining may give the gray quartz a warmer tone. Get samples and show us if you can:)

Take your time - countertop shopping can be kind of fun. I have a "wood kitchens" idea book that has some refreshed wood kitchens along with some newer ones that might give you some ideas. I did not go with black because I visually have difficulty working on a dark surface. Some blacks are fingerprint prone, other not, so get a sample and leave it sitting on the countertop and view in all kinds of light. You have a nice big window area, so more light which will help with dark counters. If you do not have under cabinet lighting, do get it in the area next to your range - not a huge area, but it is the thing I added to my kitchen which I find most useful - beside the big apron front sink - and might be especially important if you go with black countertops.

Consider replacing the over the counter microwave with a hood - the time to do that is before you do a backsplash if that is also on your list of things to do.

Here is my wood kitchens idea book - or google wood kitchens and do an image search:

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/75202366/thumbs/wood-kitchens

I have one on Pinterest too if you can access Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/jeannemoy/kitchens-wood/

The gray one I liked is called Copper Mist by Silestone. I wish I could find a good picture of it. I'm not sure how I feel about something this dark though. I wanted a nice beige, but I'm not finding something in the beige family that looks good with the cabinets. This really coordinates well with the cabinet color, but most of my house is warm neutral browns.......I don't know if gray is going to clash or not.

I would do Caesarstone Moorland Fog

Moorland Fog