I have a black laminate top in my rental, it shows every hair, dust, and mark imaginable even after just wiping it down. My friend chose a black essa stone top and regrets it to for this reason. I love black but have chosen Atlantic Sea Salt white with grey flecks and a bit of black in it by Caesarstone for my new build. I also have chosen Ravine Char Oak by Polytec for my cupboards which is a grey wood grain, I too have a black fridge but have no kids living at home anymore, so black shiny cupboards if you have small children might drive you mad! But a black with a wood grain finish wouldn't show marks like a shiny finish would. Good luck!

Thank Taratolva, informed second opinion like yours much appreciated and am now looking at colours you've mentioned, don't want to spend all my time wiping a black bench top!

Sorry, just realised I spelt your name wrongly Tarotlova - apologies