It's no wonder that natural stone is so popular in interior design. Aside from the fact that the diverse colors and grains are attractive eye-catchers, the material is also extremely easy to care for and robust. For these reasons, stone is also perfect for kitchens and can be used in a wide variety of areas. You can find out exactly where you can use natural stone in the kitchen and which types of stone are best suited in the following lines. Let yourself be enchanted by the variety and later decide on the perfect kitchen design for your interior.
Advantages and disadvantages of natural stone in the kitchen
- Stone has a number of advantages. The material provides the perfect surface, especially in areas that are constantly subjected to wear and tear. Pushing pots and other dishes back and forth does not damage the surface.
But be careful!This only applies to hard rocks, which include granite and basalt. As popular as the noble marble is, like limestone, it is one of the soft stones on which scratches can occur. - We don't even need to mention that natural stone is extremely heat-resistant. Burn marks or discoloration caused by strong heat are no problem at all. But here too it depends on the type of stone.
- Due to its naturalness, this material does not contain any harmful substances. Natural stones are odorless and do not absorb other odors. When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the certification!
Although the stone has many benefits, it is considered...Surface for the kitchennot perfect and also has bad properties. One disadvantage is that they easily absorb stains depending on the type of stone. Red wine or fat can quickly prove to be a big enemy of natural stone, especially if they are used for the worktop. This can be avoided by regularly impregnating the stone surface. Regular care is therefore essential! When using natural stone worktops in the kitchen, you can expect them to be very heavy. It is also important that you invest in robust kitchen cabinets that can withstand this weight.
Which species are suitable?
Without a doubt, this ancient natural material is incredibly elegant to look at in whatever form it takes. However, there are types that are more or less suitable for use in and around the kitchen. But all types of natural stone have one thing in common: They all require regular care in order to remain beautiful and robust for a long time. We would like to introduce you to some of the most common types of natural stone in the kitchen with all their advantages and disadvantages:
Granit
Granite is one of the most popular types of stone. It and also quartz stone are the better choice, especially in kitchens where a lot of cooking is done. Granite is available in bluish colors, as well as in gray and with a yellowish tinge. It is scratch and cut resistant and neither absorbs odors nor does it have its own smell. The rock is particularly heat-resistant and also resistant to fat, acids or oils.
You can choose between polished granite slabs with a shiny surface and matt ones. On the one hand, the choice is determined by the optical effect you want to create. A high-gloss kitchen with a matt top looks very attractive, while a matt surface for the cupboards can be wonderfully combined with a glossy kitchen top. Here you have enough scope for the kitchen design. Remember that the glossy version is easier to maintain than the matte one.
Quarzstein
Quartz and composite stone have another advantage compared to granite and other natural stones. A wide variety of colors can be produced so that you can tailor it to your preferences and needs. Like granite, they are very hygienic and water-repellent because they have no pores. In addition, they are resistant to chemicals, stains and light. Scratches are absolutely not a problem with this type of stone. The only disadvantage is that they are only heat-resistant up to 180 degrees.
Quartz stone slabs usually only consist of 80% of this rock. There are also other materials, including synthetic resin. Color pigments in turn enable a large selection of colors. However, this gives the material a rather artificial look, which many people don't like. That's why this type of natural stone slab is usually not the first choice, despite its insensitivity and easy care. Although quartz slabs are not one hundred percent natural stone, the price is not much lower than that of granite and other types of stone.
Marble
Limestone, slate and especially marble are also suitable as natural stone in the kitchen. However, a greater need for care can then be expected. Nevertheless, they are very often used in designer kitchens because the natural stones have a particularly beautiful look. Marble, like granite, is available in different, natural color nuances, regardless of whether you prefer the elegant white or want to add a color accent in green or yellow.
A disadvantage is definitely the high price. For this reason, it is rarely chosen for interior design. In addition, the stone is not very robust and scratches and stains can quickly appear, which can be very annoying, especially with the white version. Discoloring liquids must be removed immediately before they penetrate the stone.
Marble therefore requires more maintenance and is better suited for splashbacks and other kitchen elements rather than as a worktop. Also keep in mind that this natural rock changes color over the years. So think carefully in advance whether it is worth investing in the expensive marble stone despite the disadvantages mentioned.
slate
Slate is not only available in a dark color, but this is exactly its special characteristic that entices many people to choose it for interior design. But if you prefer a reddish or yellowish nuance, you can also opt for it and give light kitchen cabinets an interesting color accent. The rough surface of the stone is both an advantage and a disadvantage. This looks very pretty on the modern, simple kitchen cabinet, but requires more complicated care. Otherwise, the rock is very heat-resistant and insensitive to water. This promises a long usability.
Slate is not yet widely used in kitchen design, which is why you get a special eye-catcher with this type of stone. The robustness is more of a disadvantage because entire pieces can quickly chip off, while scratches can be treated and removed with the right care products. Another advantage in terms of appearance is that slate, due to its structure, can also be used in the form of very thin panels. In this way, this natural stone appears less bulky and more discreet in the kitchen.
limestone
Like marble, limestone is also a soft stone, which is why it is best suited for kitchens where work is rarely done or where you do not use it as a worktop but for other accents. If you choose this type, you can enjoy light colors such as beige or yellowish nuances. This noble stone is also available in brown.
Since the stone is naturally provided with many small holes and cracks, coloring liquids penetrate particularly quickly. To counteract this, these openings are usually filled with a filler, which, however, cannot do anything to prevent discoloration. And liquids that contain acid should not come into contact with the limestone. Special treatment is necessary before first use. Surface protection is intended to make the stone more resistant. However, this does not protect against scratches and cracks.
Where can natural stone be used in the kitchen?
Here you have a large selection. The stone material gives the design the finishing touch. It can also be wonderfully combined with wood, so you can choose a surface made of natural stone and the side walls made of wood. Otherwise, the back wall can also be made from a stone slab or you can line the entire cabinets. If you just want to add a small accent, install a natural stone sink in the kitchen.
The worktop
Natural stone is particularly popular in the kitchen in the form of a worktop. Don't forget that this is the element in the kitchen that is subjected to the most wear and tear. Nevertheless, the natural stone kitchen worktop is a really attractive element that adds even more elegance to the modern kitchen with its simple and elegant shapes. If possible, use hard stone to minimize maintenance and future damage. A natural stone kitchen like this makes just about everyone rave.
Variants for the kitchen island
However, you may not want to make all your worktops out of natural stone. Then you can just use it for the kitchen and cooking island. You can then either equip only the upper surface or attach the stone plate to the two narrower sides. This frames the island in an attractive way.
Contrasting colors are particularly recommended here. For example, if your kitchen cabinets are a dark color, use a light color for the stone accent and vice versa. This way you highlight both materials at the same time and create an interesting interaction. If you prefer a monochrome kitchen design, you can of course follow your taste and design the top and cabinets in the same or similar color.
Design the back wall
As an alternative to the worktop, natural stone can also be used for the back wall in the kitchen. The natural stone is just as noticeable there as in the form of a worktop, but is subject to significantly less wear and tear. Scratches rarely occur here, even with soft stone, and liquids in particular hardly ever come into contact with the tile surface.
To avoid grease splashes, you can design the area behind the stove with a different material. If you use granite or one of the other stones that don't mind grease, you don't have to worry about grease splashes. Either way, the kitchen back wall is a perfect element that you can use to showcase the noble natural stone. Combine with wood, metal or another material.
Stone kitchen cabinets
If you want something particularly elegant, you can choose cabinets that are covered with any type of stone. This does not mean (just) the kitchen island, but the upper and lower cabinets. Since the side walls are not stressed, any type of natural stone can be chosen. Depending on the type of stone, you only have to use the right cleaning agent when cleaning so as not to damage the surface. Otherwise, such a design undoubtedly looks particularly elegant and transforms the open kitchen into the heart of the entire interior design.
Kitchen sink
As already mentioned, you can use the kitchen sink for a kitchen accent. It looks very pretty in the middle of a wooden worktop and can be combined with natural stone back walls made of the same material or you can have the sink integrated into the stone worktop to create an even transition. It is worth knowing that such sinks are not actually carved from the respective stone. That would lead to an extremely high price. Instead, the chosen stone is used in the form of powder. This powder is then poured into the desired sink shape along with acrylic resin. Any dyes can also be added here.
Of course, this composition looks no less beautiful than pure stone, but it still has some disadvantages. The sink is less heat resistant, which is due to the resin. You should therefore avoid pouring very hot liquid into it or putting hot cookware in the sink. The natural stone sink is also not scratch and cut resistant. However, since cutting is usually not done in the sink or drainer, it is up to each person to decide to what extent this disadvantage is important. Nevertheless, with a sink like this you get a pretty perfect natural stone element in the kitchen for many years to come.
A dark color is also preferable to light. It is not uncommon for staining liquids to be poured into the sink, which can cause stains. If you still value a light color, you should always rinse and clean the natural stone sink in the kitchen immediately to remove such liquids or food. Then you will enjoy it for a long time to come.
