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
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?
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.
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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.
More on Houzz
Bathroom Workbook: How to Remodel Your Bathroom
Your Guide to Shower Floor Materials
Shop for bathroom tile
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