Don’t we love to be surrounded by nature? We all desire to bring a natural essence into the bathrooms, be it through wall tiling or floors. While designing our homes, bathrooms are one space that demands the utmost attention and care while curating a theme. That is because they serve as a personal retreat in most of our homes, and here we are going to talk about natural stone bathrooms.
A palette composed of the best natural stone tiles for bathrooms, such as marble and other natural stone, has always reflected a sense of luxury and an exquisite timelessness in design. These materials have ruled homes, commercial spaces, and even grand monuments since historic times, and their charm makes them fit in the modern context as well. Contemporary bathroom decor is all about keeping things sleek with the addition of intelligent technology.
With all the modern faucets, equipment, and new-age design sensibilities, can natural stone look good in bathrooms? Are you making the right choice by opting for natural stone bathroom designs?
Let’s find out about natural stone bathroom ideas!
Why Natural Stone?
There are numerous options in the material palette when it comes to bathroom decor, and picking among them could be a task. Natural stone tile for bathrooms; is an option to consider, as, since ancient times, this material has ruled the decor through cladding or flooring.
Natural stone is one of the posh materials that exudes luxury when added to the decor. To derive the answer to why a natural stone bathroom design should be opted for, let’s understand the procedure that goes behind it.
Every single slab of stone that makes your stone wall bathroom is quarried from its natural source. It is then cut and molded into the desired shape. For a variety of natural stones available on the market, like marble, granite, slate, travertine, and limestone, each one undergoes the same process. The best part about adding natural stone to home decor is the strength and unique style each type brings to the space.
You simply cannot help but pay attention to the bathroom design because you and all your family members use it daily. Such a rigorous use demands high strength in its flooring and wall material that doesn’t compromise on its aesthetics. Only natural materials provide these qualities.
The inbuilt strength and one-of-a-kind appeal of these stones make it hard to resist bringing them to the bathroom mood board. Go through the variety of stones available on the market and select the best stone tile for the bathroom that suits your context and blends well with the design language you’re aiming for.
Also, natural stone bathroom designs are now incorporating eco-friendly materials like slate, bamboo, natural stone, recycled glass, and other natural materials in the form of flooring, walls, countertops, and fixtures, according to Apurva Bose Dutta (author of the journal article-Contemporary Bathroom Trends).
Which Stone Should I Opt For?
The enticing appeal of natural stones makes it impossible to avoid adding them to the bathroom decor. While the entire house nestles stones here and there, picking one for the bathroom could be a task. Let’s look at the variety of natural stones to help you select the best for your natural stone bathroom.
01. Granite
One of the best materials for a natural stone bathroom idea is granite, which is an extremely sturdy stone that promises longevity and high strength. The nature of the stone makes it perfect for countertops and vanity tops. Each slab of granite has a unique look with its pattern; this is sure to accentuate the aesthetics of the bathroom and define the perfect edge.
02. Marble
One of the evergreen natural stones is marble. From the marvellous Taj Mahal to modern bathrooms, this material has never failed to stay in vogue. Adding white marble to bathrooms can make the space look regal and offer clean aesthetics that align with modern design as well. However, the only concern, in this case, is to avoid using acidic cleaners, as this might damage the stone tile in the bathroom.
03. Onyx
One of the rare natural stones that can serve as the wall envelope for your bathroom is onyx. A stone wall bathroom from Onyx has a delicate look that offers an extremely appealing design when jazzed up with ambient lighting.
04. Slate
Slate is a porous material. Hence, you need to seal it properly to add drama to a space and create a perfect design. Consider the option of having a shower area covered in slate for added glam, as it is one of the best natural stones for bathrooms.
05. Travertine
What’s better for a wet area than stone tile for the bathroom made from water? Yes, travertine comes from hard deposits of water, which makes it the perfect fit for your bathrooms. The only consideration when using this stone is to minimise the grout lines.
Decor Ideas with Natural Stone
Are natural stones only restricted to floors when it comes to natural stone bathroom design? No! From walls to vanities, you can play around with this material anywhere and everywhere. Let’s explore all the possibilities of adding it to your bathroom decor for a statement-making look.
01. Beautifully Functional Countertops
One design component that makes the bathroom look good is a good vanity. While we’re sure the storage spaces are taken care of, and you’ve got the best vanity shutters as well, what about the countertops? Which material are you considering so that it stays for a long time?
The best natural stone tile for bathroom countertops and even wash basins designed in natural stone can prove to be extremely utilitarian while also bringing an oriental glamour to the space. You can either keep the design language on the bolder side with dark granite or let the earthiness inject the space with a light-coloured marble or travertine.
02. A Natural Shower Wall
Wish to frame a natural essence within your shower area? Natural stone is the key. Enjoy the timeless design of a stone-walled bathroom that’s uniquely simple and offers you an unmatched shower experience. The best option to go ahead with in this case is slate, as the material is water-resistant and offers a natural vibe.
03. Elegant Flooring
The lustily intricate veins and the play of a neutral palette have always made natural stone a popular pick for bathroom flooring. Seal the floor and see how whimsical the entire setup looks, even with a little hint of natural stone in the bathroom.
04. Stone Sink
Ceramic sinks have ruled enough in natural stone bathroom design. Now it’s time to switch to something natural and creative. Consider the option of adding a sink in a natural stone bathroom that blends well with the decor language followed in the space and keeps up with the ethos of keeping things elegant yet simple. A counter-mounted sink with spout-like faucets is one of the functional and decorative options to be considered.
05. An Exotic Jacuzzi Top
While you’ve checked the jacuzzi off your dream bathroom’s checklist, what about the material surrounding it? Compose a dazzling space by adding natural stone like marble or granite around your jacuzzi tub, as it renders a luxurious surface for your relaxing spot.
Advantages of Adding Natural Stone
Before we introduce you to the best natural stone tiles for bathrooms, let’s first understand what makes them a popular pick for bathroom decor. Is it style or strength? Variety or cost? Why is a design curated with natural stone tile for a bathroom considered to be one of the best?
Let’s see!
01. A Stylish Statement
Whether you’re looking for drama or earthiness, minimalism or maximalism, there’s a stone for each design. The best natural stones for bathrooms have a flair within them that aids in making a stylish statement in bathroom decor. Artificial materials might have a sleek look, but the amped-up personality of space remains unmatched by natural stone.
02. High Strength
One of the obvious reasons for picking natural stones for decor is their durability. Natural stone bathroom design demands materials that will withstand moisture and damp conditions, and stone is the best option in such cases with its natural strength.
03. An Exclusive Appeal with Veining and Colour Options
The talking veins and soothing shades in materials like granite and marble—the best natural stones for bathrooms—add a unique character to the entire space. For a spa-like feel at home, you need an exclusive factor in the space, which only the rich beauty of natural stone can bring. Whether you’re planning to add it to the floor or countertop, there’s a promise of a one-of-a-kind look to the entire space that comes along with this material.
04. Easy Availability
While ancient times required elephants to transport natural stones from different places, innovations have made it easier to connect places and people. Transportation systems have aided in making natural stones easily accessible to people all around the world.
Cons of Natural Stone in Bathrooms
Before leading you further, let’s flip the coin to get familiar with the various cons of having a natural stone bathroom design.
01. Expensive
One of the main reasons people stop investing in natural stones is their cost. Being a natural material, it’s expensive, and the craftsmanship that goes into working with this material further adds to the cost. However, the result is mesmerising and that justifies this con.
02. Stone Feels Cold
Although summers are extremely comfortable with stone flooring in the bathroom, it could be a task for you in winter as the stone has a natural tendency to stay cold. Unless you have radiant heating installed on the floor, don’t take the chance to walk barefoot on the stone in cold weather.
03. The Remodelling Cost is High
The expense that comes along with stone doesn’t stop at the installation itself. There’s more to it when it comes to remodelling bathrooms with natural stone. The main reason for higher costs is that most of the flooring with natural stone has a radiant heating system installed beneath it, which increases the expense.
04. Natural Stone is Slippery
If you have toddlers or older adults at home, it’s advised not to opt for natural stone flooring in the bathrooms, as it’s slippery. The only way to enhance the functionality, in this case, is by sealing the material properly.
05. It’s Brittle Sometimes
This comes as shocking news, but natural stone tiles are brittle when compared to ceramic tiles. To attain the desired strength with natural stone, in this case, there has to be a certain reinforcement system in the subfloor that keeps it from breaking.
Do it Up with Natural Stone!
Whether the idea is to remodel an existing bathroom or build a new one from scratch, one thing that has to be on your checklist is a natural stone bathroom. The versatility of the material and the warmth of its veins make it the perfect pick for any space.
Stay in tune with the trend and compose a design from the best natural stone tile for a bathroom that’s not only stylish but great in terms of its functionality while having numerous applications even within a small space.
Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.