Bathroom Workbook: 7 Natural Stones With Enduring Beauty
Not everyone wants a marble bath. Bring organic warmth to counters, walls or floors with these hard-wearing alternatives
Shana Ecker
October 17, 2014
Houzz contributor. I'm a flea market obsessed, peanut butter loving designer, and I strive to help everyone fall in love with their homes, one space at a time.
Houzz contributor. I'm a flea market obsessed, peanut butter loving designer, and... More
There’s no other material quite like natural stone. No two pieces are exactly alike, and nothing else adds the same organic warmth and texture to a bathroom. Not to mention the longevity. If they’re well maintained, your stone surfaces can last a lifetime.
Marble, of course, has been a popular stone choice for luxurious interiors for centuries based on its inherent beauty. But while Carrara and Calacatta remain classics, they have their downsides, and they aren’t your only options. Here are seven other natural stone varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and strengths, worth considering for your bathroom floors, countertops and walls.
Carrara vs. Calacatta Marble: What’s the Difference?
Marble, of course, has been a popular stone choice for luxurious interiors for centuries based on its inherent beauty. But while Carrara and Calacatta remain classics, they have their downsides, and they aren’t your only options. Here are seven other natural stone varieties, each with its own unique characteristics and strengths, worth considering for your bathroom floors, countertops and walls.
Carrara vs. Calacatta Marble: What’s the Difference?
The price of natural stones can vary greatly, so do your research. But don’t let a high price deter you from incorporating a stone you absolutely love. Larger-format tiles are usually less expensive than smaller tiles, and you can try to find remnant slabs at your local stone yard. Also, consider using natural stone for just one wall or a small niche area to work it into your budget.
Soapstone. Surprisingly underused in bathrooms, soapstone is actually a great option because it’s so low maintenance. No sealers are necessary; just periodically rub a little mineral oil on the surface. Over time this stone oxidizes and gets darker and richer in color.
Cost: Comparable to marble; you’ll find slabs from $90 to $200 per square foot. But take a look at this pretty soapstone countertop paired with a gray vanity and you might be like, “Marble who?”
Read more about the pros and cons of soapstone
Soapstone. Surprisingly underused in bathrooms, soapstone is actually a great option because it’s so low maintenance. No sealers are necessary; just periodically rub a little mineral oil on the surface. Over time this stone oxidizes and gets darker and richer in color.
Cost: Comparable to marble; you’ll find slabs from $90 to $200 per square foot. But take a look at this pretty soapstone countertop paired with a gray vanity and you might be like, “Marble who?”
Read more about the pros and cons of soapstone
Limestone. In its natural state, this stone is highly porous and needs to be sealed to avoid stains. But it’s a popular choice for its soft and uniform look and warm, neutral color. It lends itself to both traditional designs and modern ones, like this bathroom that uses limestone floor tile.
Cost: Limestone tile starts at around $5 per square foot.
Find a bathroom designer near you
Cost: Limestone tile starts at around $5 per square foot.
Find a bathroom designer near you
Travertine. This is actually a type of limestone with natural markings in a range of warm hues. The deep pores in the stone are often filled with a similar-colored grout or epoxy to create a smoother surface.
Cost: Travertine tile starts at around $5 per square foot.
Read about more bathroom floor materials
Cost: Travertine tile starts at around $5 per square foot.
Read about more bathroom floor materials
Onyx. This stone has a unique look with striations in a wide range of colors. Since it has a translucent quality, designers often backlight surfaces or walls to showcase the veining and make the space glow. It’s important to know that this stone is delicate and needs to be sealed.
Cost: Because large slabs like the gorgeous one featured here are rarer, they can set you back $200 to $500 per square foot.
Cost: Because large slabs like the gorgeous one featured here are rarer, they can set you back $200 to $500 per square foot.
Belgian bluestone. This is also a limestone, but with a dark gray or black background and gray, white and tan markings. It looks especially great with a contrasting grout. This material will get lightly scratched over time, but the patina makes it even more beautiful. And a little olive oil will bring back its sheen.
Cost: Similar to soapstone ($90 to $200 per square foot), but to save a little cash, consider using 12-inch by 12-inch bluestone tiles on your counter instead of a slab.
Cost: Similar to soapstone ($90 to $200 per square foot), but to save a little cash, consider using 12-inch by 12-inch bluestone tiles on your counter instead of a slab.
Slate. This stone is usually associated with rustic interiors, but it can work in any space. Slate is especially great for floors like the one shown here, because it is naturally slip resistant. To clean slate, just use a mild cleanser that isn’t abrasive.
Cost: You can find tiles that cost less than $10 per square foot.
Browse slate products on Houzz
Cost: You can find tiles that cost less than $10 per square foot.
Browse slate products on Houzz
Sandstone. Created by layers of densely packed sand, the material has a wavy desert-landscape-like appearance and comes in a variety of colors. It’s essential to seal it regularly (like twice a year), because the highly porous surface will soak up water or any other liquids, causing stains or potentially even warping.
Cost: Similar to limestone and travertine, around $5 per square foot.
Your turn: What natural stone did you incorporate into your bathroom design? Tell us in the Comments.
More on Houzz
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Cost: Similar to limestone and travertine, around $5 per square foot.
Your turn: What natural stone did you incorporate into your bathroom design? Tell us in the Comments.
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I've changed my mind about the material I would like for our new kitchen countertops. Rather than go with a synthetic, "stone-look" material I've decided on either slate or soapstone, for two main reasons: 1) they don't require sealing, and 2) they're non-reactive to acids or anything else I might spill on them. I realize that many synthetic and engineered stone surfaces have these qualities, but in addition to looks, the materials and processes used in making them - not to mention how they will "degrade" (or not) once their useful lives are finished - make me question whether these are the most responsible choice. Real stone requires no processing, and there are many quarries that adhere to a set of standards regarding water usage and waste (see http://www.marble-institute.com/consumers/). One additional requirement for me is that the stone be quarried in the U.S., and I can get soapstone from Virginia and slate from Vermont. Granted, either granite or marble would make the most sense from a geography standpoint as I live in the southeast; but I'm not aware of a locally-quarried stone slab that doesn't require sealing. Show me one, and I may change my mind - again ;).
I just love the vintage warmth of soapstone. It's not for everyone: it's soft and takes a lot of lemon oil to reach it's optimal color (like seasoning a cast iron pan). But I love the character and patina it has. We used it in a kitchen.