Incorporating Marble in the Kitchen

Homeowners and interior designers love marble in kitchens for many reasons. Its timeless, majestic veining and colorful designs are enough to make you stop and take notice. On top of that, marble also offers exceptional durability, making it a beloved choice for culinary spaces and other rooms.

You may have some questions if you’re thinking about adding marble to your kitchen. For instance, which marble is best for kitchens? Where does it make the most sense to install marble? Read on to discover the different ways to incorporate marble into your kitchen.

Where Do You Put Marble in a Kitchen?

There are numerous ways to upgrade your kitchen with marble. Let’s look at some examples below.

1. Floors

Your flooring is an ideal opportunity to integrate marble into your kitchen. Marble kitchen floors offer various benefits for your space.

• Beauty: Marble is a beautiful, exotic material that makes any kitchen floor stand out. No two slabs are the same, and there’s no shortage of varieties to choose from when matching your home’s aesthetic. From colorful hues to unique and intricate patterns, its timeless natural beauty will surely make a statement for your kitchen floor. What’s more, marble floors can boost your home’s value.
• Durability: Marble floors are highly durable, so they can easily support high foot traffic. While marble isn’t as hard as other natural stone options like granite, it has sufficient durability for kitchen flooring. This lower hardness level can work to your advantage, as it lends a warmer feel.
• Finish options: There are many finish options available for marble flooring. Honed finishes are particularly suitable for kitchen floors, as they offer traction to reduce the risk of slipping and falling.
• Allergen-resistant: Unlike carpet flooring, allergens don’t usually attach and accumulate on marble surfaces. If dust or pet hair build up, they are highly visible on marble and easy to eliminate with a broom.
• Comfort: Thankfully, marble floors don’t sacrifice comfort for durability. Because they’re softer than granite and quartz surfaces, they provide more underfoot comfort for cooking, washing dishes or walking through the kitchen. If you want to enhance your flooring’s comfort, installing radiant heating — which transfers heat through the floor rather than the air — beneath the marble is an excellent way to add some warmth and reduce energy costs.

Remember, marble is porous, so it’s susceptible to liquid and bacteria intrusion when left unsealed. You may want to have your floors regularly sealed to prevent water damage and staining. Darker marble can typically go longer between sealing, while white marble usually requires more frequent maintenance. Additionally, be aware that polished marble can be extra slippery.

2. Countertops

Countertops are the most prevalent use of marble in the kitchen, and it’s easy to see why. Marble countertops have elegant veining, character and feel that other stones and materials can’t achieve. Because marble naturally remains cool, it provides a stable surface for cooking and baking — another quality that makes it excellent for kitchens.

Here are two ways to incorporate marble into a countertop.

• Islands: A unique marble island may be the perfect addition for your kitchen. An island countertop with a distinctive inlay creates a beautiful focal point, contrasting with your other countertops for a one-of-a-kind look. Marble inlay is the process of carefully cutting and engraving marble shapes. For instance, an island countertop with a bright pattern and color scheme can beautifully offset monochrome cabinets and countertops.
• Bar tops: Marble lends style and refinement to any kitchen bar top, whether you opt for a lighter or darker color scheme. A bar top is an ideal spot for marble, as it likely won’t face regular traffic. Be careful when working with red wine, citrus juice and other acidic liquids. Consider using a protective mat or tray to shield the delicate marble. If any drips or spills occur — whether from water, alcohol or juice — be sure to wipe them up immediately to prevent the risk of scratches, stains and damage.

Marble isn’t heat-resistant, so you shouldn’t place hot cookware directly on your marble countertop. Always use hot pads, trivets and cutting boards for added protection. Never use knives and other utensils directly on the counter, as you can risk scratching the marble.

Like marble flooring, marble countertops can increase your home’s value, which is a plus if you ever plan to sell your house. With regular sealing, care and maintenance, a marble countertop can last many years in your kitchen.

As a reminder, marble is porous, so you should seal your countertop at least once a year to prevent significant staining — including right after installation. Experts recommend cleaning stained countertops with 12% hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of ammonia.

Marble can scratch with prolonged exposure to acidic liquids, or it can etch where the sealant or polish fades. Honing your marble countertop — a process that grinds the material to create a flat, smooth surface and finish — may help conceal noticeable etches. You can also try buffing out water spots and light scratches with grade-0000 steel wool.

3. Backsplashes

Consider a marble backsplash in the kitchen for a luxurious focal point that ties your space together. It’s an excellent way to highlight the marble’s intricate veining — whether coordinating a marble backsplash with your kitchen countertops, book-matching different slabs or selecting complementary designs.

A lighter backsplash can provide crisp contrast against dark cabinets, or further lighten an airy, elegant kitchen. Due to their porous nature, marble flooring, countertops and backsplashes all require the same upkeep, including annual sealing. Additionally, be careful when working with food and beverages to avoid premature scratches, etches and stains.

As much maintenance as a marble backsplash requires, the good news is that it’s much easier to clean than tile and mosaic backsplashes that have tough-to-reach grout lines, nooks and crannies.

Upgrade Your Kitchen With Aalto Marble Inlay

If you’re thinking of incorporating a marble floor, countertop or backsplash into your kitchen, our team at Aalto Marble Inlay can help bring your vision to life. We provide original, handcrafted marble inlays, adding style and luxury to any home.

Our custom marble inlays for backsplashes, islands and floors come in various ornate designs and colors, so we can easily coordinate marble with your existing aesthetic or add a distinctive flair to your kitchen.

Whether you dream of a lavish Parisian design, emerald green hues or another design concept, we can help you achieve the look you desire. We invite you to browse our design collections if you need inspiration for patterns and color schemes.

Let us help you create a marble backsplash, floor or countertop that speaks to your personal style. Contact Aalto today to learn more about our marble inlay services or request pricing.