Simple tricks to make your granite pop
If you follow Lykens Companies on Instagram, then you know more than anyone that we love putting granite counters in all of our renovated kitchens.
In fact, we proudly source some of the highest-grade granite there is from Distinctive Marble & Granite. It looks great because it is great.
What’s not to love about granite? A great granite countertop appears both clean and complex when styled correctly. It brings depth and elegance to a kitchen without overstating itself. Better yet, it can be paired with a variety of different styles to suit whatever look you want in a kitchen.
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As some of granite’s biggest fans, we thought we’d put together a quick style guide for some great ways to make the most of your kitchen’s granite countertops. Check them out below.
1. Go Natural
Granite has a great natural look to it. Unusual color and pattern variations are the exact thing that we love most about granite countertops, but there’s another side to this coin. With unique and unpredictable appearances, granite can be hard to pair with patterns without fear of items clashing.

Our solution? Throw a vase of flesh flowers on your kitchen island or put a pot of succulents on your countertop. The natural vibrance of fresh plants brightens the mood of any kitchen. Plus, it can give a great fresh scent to your kitchen.
Next, put your groceries (yes, your groceries) on display. Grab a nice bowl and fill it with bright oranges, lemons, and limes. You’d be surprised at how this little trick can make your kitchen feel more lively. Just be sure to eat your food!
2. Go Metallic
Granite already has that wonderfully occurring metallic aspect. Those shiny specks in a granite countertop are just brilliant. Don’t shy away from the metallic aspect of granite; embrace it! If you’re in a Lykens Companies kitchen, chances are that you have stainless steel appliances that bring out the best in your countertop.

Use other metallic items to accentuate and complement your granite counter. You won’t have to worry about patterns clashing and it will bring a luxurious feel to your kitchen. Whether it’s a metal lighting fixture or a grouped set of metal kitchen utensils, there are plenty of ways to make your kitchen shine.
When possible, make your the metal elements of your kitchen remain clean and polished. Shiny cabinet knobs, appliances, and other metal fixtures make all the difference when highlighting granite.
3. Go Design Heavy
This might be best for the person who uses their kitchen several times a week. Granite counters are made to be used after all. Add liveliness and culture to your kitchen by highlighting the stylish items that you love.
Make it a point to put your favorite cookbooks on display right there on your counter. Often, cookbooks have brightly colored designs that add their own little personality to your space.

Next, don’t be afraid to use actual products to make your kitchen stand out. What do we mean? Put a colorful bottle of seltzer or wine out and show off its branding. It was designed to be eye-catching. Why not leverage it in your own kitchen?
Taking this approach to kitchen decoration makes your kitchen true to yourself and what you do with it. It makes your kitchen feel lived in and loved. If you’re living in a Wonder Bread unit, for instance, this can be the thing that makes an already unique apartment so much more you.
4. Go Wood Grain
Wood grain can mimic the flow of a granite countertop, but it doesn’t mean that they’ll clash. A well-used piece of wood can lighten the sometimes heavy tones that granite counters bring with them.
Adding wooden elements doesn’t have to feel forced. We love putting a nice cutting board on display on our kitchen island. We always make sure to place our wooden spoons and spatulas where they can be seen. Last, we find that a great wooden “catch all” bowl is a nice (and often used) addition to any kitchen counter.
Keep a kitchen feeling light, energetic, and authentic by taking advantage of wood as a material to pair with granite counters.

What’s your favorite?
No matter what your preference is, Lykens Companies can offer you some of the best kitchens in Columbus. We pride ourselves in offering an incredible living space to residents time after time.
Check out our Available Rentals and see some of the kitchens that can be moved into right now!
Now, a bit about Lykens Companies…
With 20 years (and counting) of experience, we believe that Lykens Companies is just getting started on its mission to offer Columbus hundreds of premier apartments, rentals, and renovations. Each day, we are driving toward constantly expanding and improving our business and bettering Columbus, the city we love. For our renters, that means that they are connected to a proven business that is always striving to be the best. Our success isn’t an accident. We are constantly striving to improve our quality, both in the buildings that we renovate, reimagine, and rent out; moreover, we are striving to improve in the way that our business operates. For you, that means the best units and the best service in the best locations.
As we invest our time, money, and energy into the Short North, Victorian Village, Italian Village, and other parts of Columbus’s urban core, it’s nothing short of amazing to step back and see how much we’re able to impact our city, whether that looks like renovating apartments, houses, or even factories like the Wonder Bread Lofts and the forthcoming Budd Dairy project: a full scale reimagining of an old dairy factory into a Cameron Mitchell food hall and state-of-the-art coworking space.
If you’re looking to rent in Columbus, Ohio’s urban core, you’ve come to the right place. We’re confident that it doesn’t get better than us when it comes to finding the absolute best apartments and rentals in Columbus.
See every availability!
Whether you’re looking for an apartment in the Short North, a rental in Victorian Village, a studio in Italian Village, or a loft in Wonder Bread, our Available Rentalspage will feature all that (and more). We’re constantly adding our newest properties and highlighting that month’s leasing specials. Bookmark it and check often! What if you took two minutes to browse it right now? And don’t forget about our awesome Instagram for updates, new leases, and beautiful photos.
Already a resident? Refer a friend!
At Lykens Companies, we offer a simple and easy referral program to our residents. For each referral of yours who signs a lease, we’ll pay you $200! Be sure to learn everything about this awesome plan and even check out our three methods to actually get your friends to sign a lease.