Updated 3/22/22
First of all, let me say congratulations to you! Why? Because you are trying to improve what you already have instead of just ripping it out and starting anew. You are saving the environment while also saving thousands of dollars with that choice. Well done! And in return, I will share a way you can fix your outdated granite countertops easily and affordably…because it’s possible!
It seems many homes were built in what I’m calling the ‘granite bubble’. Granite countertops used to be the only material people knew to choose. Everyone wanted granite so everyone got the same kind. It’s not the builders’ fault; when something works and there’s a great demand, they replicate the look over and over and over. They don’t change this formula because they are kind of like landlords: they build or update as affordably as they can. So a ‘copy and paste’ design strategy suits their end goal.
Certain styles of granite were trending, and as it happens with anything trendy, the bubble eventually bursts. We have moved on from that idea that granite is the only good material, and now consumers know about a plethora of other materials that are possible! Which is good and bad: good because you have more information to select materials that truly reflect your style, but bad because you now have a very specific idea of what doesn’t work for your taste and what doesn’t work might be what you have…aka ‘outdated granite’.
Now hundreds of thousands of homes from the granite bubble have a very expensive product that is the focal point of their kitchen and they are unhappy. Granite is ultra durable, so you would be replacing something that is perfectly usable and probably in great condition–which is what sold everyone on granite to begin with. Unless you gave your counters to a stone yard for them to chop up and sell as remnants, your stone will go to waste. So what are you to do?
I do not believe that granite is trendy, by the way, and ‘outdated granite’ is a matter of opinion. There are just ebbs and flows of popularity with certain styles. For instance, the most popular granite colorways back then were tan/brown and gray/black. Here’s an example of the tan/brown below:
Avionale Design
Polished granite felt new and sleek. You probably now know that you can get stone in a variety of different finishes. You’ve probably also noticed that matte fixtures and finishes have been sprouting up in the last few years. Everything from matte black faucets to drawer pulls to surfaces. Matte surfaces just look more modern and natural. Just like picking a flat paint instead of a glossy one for the walls, picking a matte finish on stone surfaces hides dirt and stains more than a glossy one.
So even if you have beautiful granite counters in a neutral color, if they are shiny, you might still feel you have ‘outdated granite’. It’s the finish that people are objecting to, not necessarily the stone style–which is a really good thing if you have a particularly busy style of granite! Honing removes the shine which makes it seem more minimalist and calm. The shine is a light bringing attention to the granite, so if you remove the shine, you remove that light. All is calm. Check out these matte surfaces and see how they compare to your polished surfaces:
Emily Henderson
Jenny Komenda
Studio McGee
Cool, right? Matte surfaces just look so sleek and it allows your eye to notice the other aspects of your design since you’re not being blinded by reflective surfaces. Do you know what else is great about matte surfaces? They hide dirt. When a surface is not reflective, you cannot detect stains and scratches. A reflective surface essential shines a light on all the imperfections. Remember this: matte conceals, shiny reveals.
Now that you know why matte surfaces are preferable, you’re ready for me to tell you how you can transform your ‘outdated granite’ without having to spend thousands to replace them.
Outdated Granite Countertops? Here’s How to Fix it
You HONE it. If you don’t know, honing just means that the shine is removed, revealing a matte surface. We can use the honing technique on many different surfaces, the most popular being marble and quartzite (quartz is actually a manmade product consisting of quartzite, which is the solid stone). Honing your granite is a great way to bring it up to date without actually having to replace your very costly countertops. Winner winner chicken dinner.
Granite is one of the toughest materials to use for countertops, but maybe for you, the style can feel just a bit dated and out of context. All you need to do is get your granite honed and it will look like a brand new countertop. The speckling detail will be less intense and to me, it will actually look more like a natural stone. After all, stones are naturally matte and go through a lot of polishing to get that high shine!
I’ve said this before, natural materials are super popular thanks to the rise of gorgeous design accounts such as Amber Interiors. The Scandinavian style is still well loved and that style is all about minimalist natural interiors. Matte surfaces are perfect for both of these styles.
Before & After: Polished vs Honed Granite
Let me show you honed granite in action by way of Emily A. Clark’s kitchen makeover. Emily did actually replace her countertops because she was changing her kitchen’s layout and counters are non-transferable. But the point here is you can see how much cleaner the stone looks with a matte surface and also get validation that yes, designers are still using granite–not everyone goes for marble, and granite is a timeless choice:-) I super promise.
BEFORE
Emily A. Clark
AFTER
Emily A. Clark
Emily A. Clark
Look at that close up! Just so you know, honed granite will look darker because you are removing the shine, which reflects light and makes the stone look lighter. You can choose to try to do hone your granite yourself or you can hire someone to hone it for about $50 per square foot (obviously depending on your area, this cost could be higher or lower, but you should be able to have this done for under $1k).
What needs to happen when you or a professional hones is:
- you break through the sealant that has been protecting your counters for decades
- you remove the shine and etching
- you re-seal with a matte, food safe sealant
A commenter below tried with just an orbital sander and they do not recommend this strategy. I would suggest talking to a professional at your local hardware store and the vendor of a honing powder to see what they suggest. Remember, this is not a step by step tutorial; I am a designer with the ideas not a DIYer and you definitely need to do your research to see if this is something you feel comfortable and safe doing. Make sure you get the proper supplies and understand the method, following all safety protocols which I list below.
If it were me, being unfamiliar with sanding stone, I think it would be well worth it to hire a stone professional to remove etching, hone, and re-seal using their professional equipment and air filtration. Upon digging, I found a really great company in Chicago that shows you how they fixed the granite etching and honed it. It looks absolutely incredible and their great work will last for decades to come.
Hunker gives us their DIY tutorial and if you were to try this yourself, I would first test and refine your technique on the underside of your granite in a spot you can’t see. And be sure to see safety information below:
Lung safety measures:
Safety gear must be work to protect the lungs while sanding stone. You need proper air ventilation, a dust mask, respirator, etc. According to the American Lung Association, Silicosis is:
“A lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, a common mineral found in sand, quartz and many other types of rock.”
While dust particles might not appear harmful, what you can’t see can deeply hurt you. If you choose to DIY this, please do your research to ensure proper safety protocols are being followed. The tutorial I linked to does not remind you of safety precautions and an astute commenter made me aware of this. Protect your lungs, friends!
Ok, now on with the show…
Granite ‘Speckling’ vs Marble ‘Veining’
Given that marble is super popular and has a very specific veining style, you might not be used to seeing images of matte countertops that are made of a stone with speckling instead of veining. Let me reassure you, speckling is just as gorgeous as veining. I actually prefer speckling because I think it is more of a relaxed style, whereas marble can be fancy and uptight depending on the context it’s used in. So if you want a less busy look, you don’t need to replace your granite with a brand new stone. Try to hone it first.
Here are some examples of matte stone surfaces with speckling so you can see for yourself. Not all of these are honed granite, but they are perfect examples of how great a matte stone with some variation is, and they also demonstrate that the honing technique is really popular and used on a variety of different surfaces.
Bedrosian Tile
Alyssa Kapito Interiors
Rejuvenation
The Jungalow
I have something to say about this kitchen. Other than OH MY GOODNESS HOW GORGEOUS, I also want to point out that the tile floor is probably original. That particular style is very popular in older buildings, including my own 120 year old apartment building. We have the blue color way in our kitchen and it is definitely original. Designers really really value using original materials. So don’t you dare feel bad about your ‘outdated granite’. Character is the name of the game, always. An older material is full of life and character.
The reason I point this out is to show you that not everything has to be brand new to be beautiful. Things can have a story. How much more interesting is this kitchen because the history of the floor is preserved? That vintage runner is just the icing on the very beautiful cake. So many people are scared to update their kitchen because they think it is just too expensive, but no one ever said you had to replace everything. In fact, it’s much better if you don’t:-) Your home is unique, just like you.
Amber Interiors
Amber Interiors
By keeping original materials (‘outdated granite’ included), you are bringing more warmth, history, and character to your kitchen. You’re also saving a lot of money. So let’s all agree that we don’t need to overhaul our entire home. We can make intentional updates ourselves like honing ‘outdated granite’ countertops, painting cabinetry, switching out cabinet knobs and pulls, installing a new faucet, etc. We can do all of this without breaking the bank. Small, mindful updates done well.
-Kristen
More inspiration
View Comments (56)
It was really helpful how you described the dangers of trying to sand and refinish a stone countertop by yourself. The dust and residue that forms from that could end up getting inhaled by us, thus putting us in a very serious health risk. I would never want to expose my children or my wife to that, so I'll call over a granite restoration expert that has the equipment needed for this job.
I feel ya. Safety first! It looks like you are affiliated with a marble restoration company so I'm guessing you're the pro you would be calling lol.
Brilliant article! I am so glad I found you.
Thank you!!!
Thank you so much, Jill!
Your article is everything!! We recently purchased a Tudor revival and was really stumped with how we were going to handle the outdated dark granite on dark wood cabinetry. Now because of your article I’m super inspired knowing we can save money and we can bring in those beautiful art deco jewel colors to the cabinets that will work beautifully with the honed granite. Amazing!!! Cannot thank you enough for sharing.
Andie your comment made me so happy!! SO thrilled this was helpful for you:-) You can 100% save money and preserve materials and not everything needs a total demo. If you need Art Deco inspo, I also have another post (about bathrooms) that might give you some color inspiration! Good Luck and I'm sure your Tudor will be brilliant:-) https://obliquenewyork.com/2019/02/27/please-dont-remodel-your-vintage-art-deco-bathroom/
These are great design ideas! I like how they're all focused on a color scheme but still manage to incorporate different colors like black, and reds. I like a good white kitchen but sometimes, it looks overwhelming and a tad claustrophobic. To have a certain balance, I think a contrasting color would help. I read about black countertops from https://www.caesarstone.ca/blog/7-black-quartz-countertops-design-ideas/ and think that it's a great contrasting piece in a white kitchen. What do you think?
Hi Charlie! I also love a nice light and bright kitchen, but also think it could feel too clinical or industrial. A contrasting color would certainly help but I wouldn't choose black, personally. For me, it's really harsh and I prefer things to be more soft and welcoming. A contrasting island color would also do the trick, and you could go black on that with maybe a butcher block counter so that you still have that nice warmth and it's not too industrial. I'm not a fan of black countertops unless used deliberately in a smaller scale, so I would consider a lighter contrast counter material like soapstone, which is a favorite of mine and suuuuuper durable!
Thank you so much for this article! We just bought a house and it has the most gorgeous wooden cabinets, I can't bare to tear them out, just want to update them a bit. Also has a granite countertop that I was thinking of ripping out and replacing with white - but you have given a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing this tip!
Thank you, Shirley!! Solid wood cabinets are awesome--just make sure you get a good primer and nice enamel paint so they will last you for years to come! I'm currently doing the same with my cabinets:-) Paint and a little hardware will go a long way! Good luck with the granite rehab project too:-)
Thank you so much for suggesting we update our granite. It's old and has yellowed and darkened so much, and it's simply not that appealing anymore. I am so grateful that you had the ideas to help us. You are awesome.
Oh my goodness, why thank you for the nice words! If you hone it, it will appear less yellow and more like a warm neutral. So happy you're willing to try it out! Good luck:-)
Ok, as someone who was anxious to try this, I will offer one real world experience. I don't believe this works. I had a 3 x 3 piece of my granite (used to be behind the stove) that I set up on my workbench and went to work. 100 grit on a random orbital sander. Lots of passes in all directions. Effectively NO CHANGE. Decided to be more aggressive. Went down to a 60 grit. Several more passes in each direction. A tiny bit of dust left from sanding. But virtually no change in the shine of the granite. So then I decided to watch a few videos of pro's doing this job. Based on those videos, and the equipment they use, I have concluded the sanding approach will not work. You need to remove too much material to get rid of the polish. At a minimum, I would say a grinder with a diamond wheel. And with that approach it would appear from the videos that you need to keep the stone wet. I have not tried this and am not suggesting it will work. I am not sure with the grinder how you would get close enough to existing walls, backsplashes, appliances to make this come out even. Not blaming you, since your original source seems quite certain on the approach. But they do not show ANY pictures of before and after or in process. And as you indicated, you can't find before and after pictures on the web---where you can find pictures of everything. I would love to here from anyone who has made this work, because I like the idea of saving the granite by getting rid of the shine.
Hi!! Thank you so much for sharing your real world experience with the group. So helpful and invaluable! I dug deeper into this, searching for specific ways to hone and while I still believe it is possible to be a DIY (by sanding with up to 1500 grit sandpaper as well as safely using honing powder--Laticrete makes one that's non-acidic with different grits!), you're completely right: better leave this up to the professionals unless you're okay with a lot of trial and error. If you're DIY-ing, you need to remove both the sealant and the shine which can be tricky. Upon researching, depending on what city you're in, this stone honing service from a professional with their own equipment could cost $800-ish. But, the professionals can remove any etching and damage from the granite as well as remove shine and re-seal for protection. This will basically give you brand new countertops for under $1k as opposed to $5k+. I found Sir Grout in Chicago which shows numerous before and afters of their work taking granite from polished to honed. While they obviously don't share their proprietary process, you can see it can be done successfully! Hope that helps you and thanks again for the feedback. I'll be editing this blog post to include your points:-) Here is Sir Grout's blog post on their process and the result: https://www.sirgroutchicago.com/blog/this-damaged-kitchen-countertop-received-a-complete-overhaul-thanks-to-our-stone-honing-process-in-chicago/
I want to remodel my kitchen, but I'm not sure what to do with my countertops. It makes sense that I would want to try getting some new ones put in! That seems like a good way to ensure that it ends up looking nice.
Oh absolutely! In a perfect world with unlimited options and no budget crunch, getting brand new countertops is the move for many people. But, if you're concerned with lessening your environmental footprint as well as saving thousands of dollars, then transforming what you have is the way to go! But if you're remodeling and changing the kitchen layout, the current countertops won't work anyway. I would salvage as much as you can from your renovation (like cabinets and appliances) and donate them! Also, a stone remnant yard will happily take your current countertops so that someone else can use them for their project.
Can you actually hone granite tiles as well? All our kitchen counters, backsplashes and the fire place are all in dark grey brown speckled shiny granite tiles. I wonder if honing the tiles would yield a nice and more calm/modern look.
Ohhh that's a good question! I've never done it but I don't see why it can't be done? You're essentially just buffing off the shine which is a thin layer of the stone, so it shouldn't affect the tile's depth in relation to the grout, but you might need to do a grout touch up afterward. I would check with the pros at your local tile or hardware shop just to see if they have any specific advice from their own experience! Good luck--I'm sure it will be so beautiful. Honing will definitely modernize it and make it oh so calm:-)
I want to thank you for your creativity, ingenuity, and integrity. Ten years ago, I put in a new traditional style kitchen in my prewar condo because I wanted something that would be classic and I had to be very budget conscious while designing it. I liked it when I installed it, and it has served me well, but I saw the disadvantages of black granite and cherrywood. I am now redesigning it, but I am still on a tight budget and I also want to reuse and recycle. I came up with many ideas, but I was resigned to having to replace the counters but not anytime soon because It’s not in the budget. Now I can hone them instead! I had a question about the process. Is it possible to also change the edging to a modern straight cut instead of the existing bullnose? I would love to send you pictures when it is done. Thank you so much for your resourcefulness. I am a teacher, but will be retiring, and my next step is to take classes in design and help others to have beautiful attainable design. I hope to walk in your footsteps.
Oh my goodness! What an absolutely delightful comment--thank you!! I'm so happy this article resonated with you. Definitely explore honing your granite and maybe even consider refinishing your cherrywood. You can buff off the top layer of stain and opt for a stain that will take away some of that warmth if that's what you want. For the changing of the granite's edge--I say leave it! A lot of money goes to the stone fabricator because it's such a process, and you would essentially be needing an in home stone fabricator to change the edge. Rounder edges are actually back in style because everything is cyclical so you can absolutely leave the bullnose. Also, congratulations on your upcoming retirement! Helping people transform their homes is such an honor and a joy--you'll see:-)