How to Update Green Granite Countertops -

MODERN IDEAS TO UPDATE OLDER GRANITE

Do you have outdated granite countertops that are green or have green in them? Well, have I got some ideas for you.

Updating older granite countertops can be tough. Add green into the mix, and you might be wondering if you’ll ever have the kitchen of your dreams. While I can’t make your countertops look 100% modern (as modern homes typically don’t use these countertops)…

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I can definitely help your kitchen or bathroom look more updated and its best self!

If I don’t have your EXACT granite shown below, please send me photos (kylie@kylieminteriors.ca). If you know the NAME of your granite and I get enough examples, I’m happy to include a new section!

Now, before we begin, we need to hit an important topic…

WARM GREEN GRANITE COUNTERS VS. COOL GREEN

While some greens appear more or less balanced, green granite countertops tend to lean cool green (green-blue, even though you don’t necessarily SEE the blue) or warm green (green-yellow, even if you can’t SEE the yellow).

However, cool green is by far more common in granite.

This granite countertop (below) has a warm green base…

This granite countertop is a cool green…

It’s a mixed bag. While more countertops feature a cool green, including Baltic Brown (featured in this blog post), there are some warmer green counters here and there.

Even if you don’t see your exact countertop listed below, knowing WHICH TYPE OF GREEN it has in it is your first step to updating it!

Again, if you don’t see your countertop here – SEND PICS (along with the name of the granite). If I’ve seen your countertop before (meaning a lot of people might benefit from a blog post about it), I’ll add a section!

1. PEACOCK GREEN GRANITE (BLACK) COUNTERTOP UPDATE IDEAS

Peacock Green Granite has a dominant black base along with the following colors…

green-blue blend with some gray to calm it down
gray with a blue-green undertone
golden brow, almost caramel specks/veining (more so than Uba Tuba)
a WINK of taupe
specks of white

Other green countertops that have a similar type of cool green can include Butterfly Green, Verde Butterfly, and Verde Uba Tuba (coming up shortly).

As for this first slab, Peacock Green granite is often stronger with its approach to green – this is a milder version…

Peacock Green Granite Home Depot

The ever-famous Peacock Green Granite is a tricky one. Many people see it as black; however, it has some very interesting and finicky undertones!

The key is not to introduce any new ‘color’ to your palette; instead, pick one you already see.

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE CABINET COLOR WITH PEACOCK GREEN GRANITE?

You can pull off white cabinets if you’re okay with a high-contrast look. Regarding the ‘actual white,’ I wouldn’t choose one that’s overly warm or harsh and cold. Instead, I would look at some of the whiter, brighter shades of white.

BUT (a great big BBL one…), there are more things at play in a kitchen, such as backsplash tiles and flooring.

By the way, there can be quite a bit of variation between slabs, so the examples might not show the exact Peacock Green that you have.

In this next example, while the countertop isn’t Peacock Green, it has similar colors (gray-green). And while we could easily paint the cabinets white, we have to consider the backsplash and floor, both of which won’t be happy if we go white…

It’s not JUST about your countertops!

In my client’s Online Colour Consultation, I suggested several options, of which they chose a soft, warm off-white to humor the needs of the backsplash and tile floor while still updating and brightening the space…

It can be challenging to update your kitchen when working with existing finishes that aren’t being replaced.

Remember, if you can’t find a paint color that your existing finishes and you agree on, stick with wood until you can budget for a larger remodel.

Before, from a different angle…

And after, this kitchen is much lighter and brighter, without being stark white…

Here are some links to my favorite brighter white paint colors…

DO GRAY CABINETS GO WITH PEACOCK GREEN GRANITE COUNTERS?

Well, you can paint your cabinets gray-ish, but that gray will need some VERY SERIOUS green (green-blue) undertones. If you don’t embrace these hues, your cabinets could look gray-purple (as every gray has undertones) and will clash with your countertop.

WHAT ARE THE BEST COLORS WITH PEACOCK GREEN GRANITE?

Whether you’re painting your cabinets, island, or walls, refreshing your surrounding color palette can be a great way to update the look of Peacock Green granite. Check out some of these shades…

There are a number of COOL green-grays that can look good with green granite.
Reasonably bright shades of white for the walls (if you have wood or gray-green cabinets). You might be able to pull off a soft, warm white for the walls, but not for the cabinets.
Green-blue blends with some gray mixed in to calm them down
Some muted beige paint colors (walls, not cabinets)
Depending on how much black your green countertop already has in it, you might consider a black paint color for your cabinets or even just your kitchen island!

WHAT’S THE BEST BACKSPLASH TO UPDATE PEACOCK GREEN GRANITE?

If you want to update your backsplash, it will depend on the color of your cabinets. For brevity and sanity (I won’t cover them all), here are some ideas to get you started…

With WOOD CABINETS and Peacock Green granite, I would look at backsplash tiles that are gray with a green-blue undertone or green-blue tiles with a bit of gray to calm them.
White subway tiles could be awfully stark, but that could shift depending on the wall color and cabinet color.
With WHITE CABINETS and Peacock Green granite, I would look at gray (with green-blue undertones) or green-blue tiles.

The above links go to paint color pages because a) I can’t link to a zillion tiles given that I don’t know your cabinet color and b) you can sample these color, find a few that look good with your countertop and backsplash, then take that paint sample to the tile store with you to find the right fit!

By the way, I have some fantastic blog posts about updating the green-inspired surfaces in your home; check them out here.

How to Update Forest Green Countertops, Carpet, or Tile

The Best Accent Tiles to Update Forest Green Countertops

2. GREEN UBA TUBA GRANITE COUNTERTOP UPDATE IDEAS

ALSO KNOWN AS (OR OFTEN CONFUSED WITH)…

VERDE UBA TUBA
BAHIA GREEN GRANITE
BUTTERFLY GREEN
GREEN LABRADOR OR VERDE LABRADOR
EMERALD GREEN GRANITE

If you have one of the above, the tips below might be helpful (slab dependent).

Uba Tuba is tricky as there are SO many versions and color blends. While some focus hard on a cool green with gold, black, and silver flecks, others drop all the green, grabbing only black, gold, taupe, and white! So, I’m going with the two UBAs I see the most…

Uba Tuba Granite Home Depot

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE CABINET COLOR WITH UBA TUBA GRANITE?

Green Uba Tuba can look gorgeous with white cabinets – absolutely.

If you have the green-based Uba Tuba shown above or one very SIMILAR, try a cleaner, not overly creamy white.
Avoid cool shades of white.

Apologies for this next blurry image (I don’t always have perfect images, but you get the idea)…

This kitchen would look OODLES better with a brighter white cabinet color (you can see a snippet of green subway tile backsplash, which is awesome). Then, tweak the wall color, remove the valance, and have fun with the decor pieces, and you’ve got a gorgeously updated kitchen…

Without having to change the cabinets or countertop – bang for buck, baby!

And what do you know…

This is a different angle, but still shows how beautiful the painted cabinets look! I’d just switch that area rug, and maybe cool down the walls a wink; then I’d be a happy little color cowgirl!

If you have the more golden/less green Uba Tuba, you might look at…

With WOOD OR WHITE CABINETS, try a soft white subway tile, but not a stark one (if you have white cabinets, the two whites should match). Partner it with a soft beige grout to pick up on the gold tones in the countertop.
Travertine tile often pairs well with this countertop, but it’s not the most updated approach – you’d at least need a subway tile layout and size. I’d lean more toward a 3×6 subway tile that PERFECTLY matches one of the colors in the countertop.

Backsplash Ideas to Update a 2000s Kitchen

But while white might be tempting, look at how gorgeous these natural stone countertops and wood cabinets look with color-blocking in Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze…

DO GRAY CABINETS SUIT GREEN UBA TUBA GRANITE?

Some of the Uba Tubas love gray cabinets as long as you hone in on the right undertones…

If you have the green-based Uba Tuba, you’ll want a gray with cool green or green-blue undertones, avoiding any chance of a purple undertone.
Avoid traditional gray cabinets with Uba Tuba. You need a VERY purposeful cool green undertone to make things work. Too muted a gray will fall flat.

99.9% the photos in my blog are from my Online Color Consulting clients, readers, talented photographers, & friends— because real homes deserve to be celebrated (dirty laundry & all!) While not magazine-perfect, they’re packed with ideas & proven color choices to help you create a home you’ll love.

WHAT ARE THE BEST WALL COLORS IF I HAVE GREEN UBA TUBA GRANITE?

Of course, it depends on what you choose for your cabinets, but if you want to freshen up your walls, take a look at…

The Best Green-Gray Paint Colours (cool ones, not warm ones).
White walls that are clean/not creamy

The 2 Best Whole Home Gray & Greige Paint Colours

WHAT’S THE BEST BACKSPLASH TO UPDATE UBA TUBA GRANITE?

The best backsplash to update Uba Tuba can depend on the color of your cabinets.

With WOOD OR WHITE CABINETS and Green Uba Tuba, check out gray-green tiles (no hints of purple!), white tiles with no yellow undertone, or green tiles (if you feel brave).
With gray/green cabinets and Uba Tuba, check out a clean white subway tile.

GREEN & PINK GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

While that’s not the official name (lord knows what it is), it gives a great description of the colors you’re dealing with!

Just look at this beautiful bad boy…

Green and pink granite countertops can be fun to play with.

Even if your green countertop isn’t EXACTLY this, you can learn a lot by reading the tips and ideas, then apply them to YOUR green countertop.

Green and pink countertops aren’t common, but they pop up now and then. So, let’s look at how we might update them…

WHAT TYPE OF GREEN IS YOUR COUNTERTOP?

Is it a warm green (green-yellow) or a cool green (green-blue), or is it more or less ‘green’ looking? The above countertop has warm and cool colors, which makes it that much more fun.

If, like the above counter, your granite has warm and cool greens, which is more dominant?

Looking at the above sample, this countertop leans a bit more into cool green, with the warmer greens only in the smaller, chunkier speckles.

However, it’s not an OVERLY cold green, but how would you know that?

You’d bring home a range of green paint color samples that look intriguing—both warm and cool —and see which ones make sense.

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE CABINET COLOR WITH THIS TYPE OF GREEN GRANITE?

Luckily, this granite has white in it—not cream or warm white, but white. The kitchen itself also has a white 4×4 tile….

The Best Paint Colors With Lighter Wood Finishes

Normally, the backsplash calls the shots, but of the two, it’s WAY easier and more affordable to update it, so we focus on the countertop. This said, there’s a darn good chance that the same white paint color suits both.

In a kitchen like this, I’d likely choose a 3×6 white subway tile that matches my chosen white cabinet color. Timeless and classic.

A countertop like this might suit a brighter, slightly cleaner white like Sherwin Williams Pure White or maybe Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. Because the white in this countertop isn’t overly warm, we should avoid the usual, popular range of warm white paint colors.

How to Choose the Best White Cabinet Color

WILL A GRAY CABINET COLOR SUIT THIS COUNTERTOP?

While some green granite counters can handle gray paint colors with warm or cool green undertones, the ‘intensity’ of the green in this one makes it a no for this color cowgirl.

Here’s a green-gray paint color. Sure, it grabs the edge of the top left of the countertop, but it feels straight-up fugly with the green-yellow speckles…

By the way, these images were sent to me by a reader. Because the photos were clear enough and the countertop could appeal to others, I added it to this blog post with some helpful tips!

WHAT ABOUT GREEN CABINETS?

I could be super tempted to nod towards the countertop and its pretty hues. In this case, while I wouldn’t do all of the cabinets, I’d consider painting the lower cabinets a darker shade of cool green that connects directly to the granite’s colors, leaving the uppers white.

OTHER GREEN GRANITE COUNTERTOPS

There are DOZENS more granite countertops with green in them. I don’t always have enough photos to add a section, OR don’t know the name of a particular granite.

So, I’m going to hit a few randoms here with some general update tips, hoping that one of them looks something like yours!

GRANITE 1: DARK GREEN-GRAY, BLACK, GOLD, CLOUDY WHITE

I love this granite. While it’s supposed to be China Green, if you look that up online, there are about a BILLION variations of China Green.

While so many decisions depend on the surrounding finishes (backsplash/flooring), a kitchen or bathroom with a countertop like this might consider the following cabinet colors:

Avoid overly creamy, warm white paint colors
Lean into bright whites with a touch of softness
Cool green-grays that are heavy on the gray and not overly green. This can range from light-medium to darker.
If your green countertop has WARM GREEN tones, you might check out warm green paint colors or greige paint colors (you’ll probably need a greige with a bit more green vs less).

GRANITE #2: BALTIC BROWN

Of course, I HAVE to hit this one, as it most definitely has green in it, even though it’s not usually the star of the show.

However, since it’s not as green-centric as the others, you’ll find extensive information on updating Baltic Brown in this blog post: How to Update Older Granite Countertops.

GRANITE #3: VERDE MARITACA

I love this sample of Verde Maritaca. However, this is about as muted as it gets. Verde Maritaca usually has a MUCH stronger green profile.

If you have the greener version, please send photos for me to add!

If your countertop looks similar to this, check out the following:

Considerably muted, slightly cool green-grays – nothing remotely blue-centric.
I’d avoid more colorful green paint colors.
As for whites, this countertop can handle a soft, warm white cabinet paint color, provided it’s not overly creamy. It can also handle whiter, brighter shades of white.

GRANITE 4: GREEN GRANITE

I want to cover as many bases as possible, even if I don’t have all the images I need.

If your countertop looks SOMETHING like this—maybe it has stronger, more linear veining or more speckles —then I’ve got some color ideas to get you started…

White cabinets can be awesome with a green granite countertop like this one. I’d check out brighter, whiter shades of white rather than soft, warm ones.
I’d avoid gray or gray with green undertones.
I might consider a classic black paint color for the island or lower cabinets.
As for backsplash, 3×6 white subway tile will probably be your best bet. Avoid anything with multiple tones/patterns/etc.

READ MORE BLOG POSTS IN THIS 6-PART SERIES

Paint Color Ideas to Update Your Outdated 2000s Home (PART 1)

The Best Backsplash Ideas to Update a 2000s Kitchen (PART 2)

Ideas to Update Your 2000s Home: Hardware & Lighting (PART 3)

5 CASE STUDIES: 2000s Kitchen Updates: Tuscan, Travertine, & More (PART 5)

Ideas to Update Your 2000s Bathroom (PART 6)

Get the best color advice…

Check out my Online Paint Color PACKAGES!