It is easy to find yourself completely attracted and drawn to the pure and magnificent beauty of natural stones. Rich in color, variety, and textures, natural stone can completely change your living space when used as part of an interior or exterior design. It is a brilliant way to introduce authenticity, style, and sophistication to your home.
The benefits of natural stone certainly don’t end with beauty and aesthetics. The material is extremely durable, reliable, and affordable. Natural stones were used in ancient times as a primary form of construction material. Although today there is a vast range of cement or concrete based alternatives, natural stone still remains in the list of top preferred home décor materials. Especially with the fast evolution of technology and the increased human ability to manipulate natural stone, it is bound to remain a top choice for both home designers and homeowners.
You may have already set your mind on natural stone as a central part of your next home transformation project. However, before making any decisions it is essential to make the right selection and choose a natural stone that will fit in with your home.
Let’s see what the different types of natural stone are and how to choose the right one for you!
Different types of natural stone
Before we move on to a few tips to consider before selecting your natural stone, it is worth going over the main types of stone available on the market.
1. Granite, Quartzite, and Travertine
The first set of stones we will examine are the granite, quartzite, and travertine. Among the most popular types of natural stone, granite is an extremely suitable choice for kitchen counterparts, tabletops, cabinet-tops, or alternative forms of actively used surfaces. Granite, as well as quartzite, and travertine can all be used for flooring. In addition, their application is successful across exterior spaces as well.
For instance, the three types of natural stone can be used for façade installations, porch décor, or patio paving. They can also come in handy for your outdoor pool deck, walkways in the garden, or driveways. In other words, there are few things that you can’t do with these three.
Slate is among the natural stone types which don’t require a lot of processing and are fine-grained. Again, reliable installation for kitchen countertops, slate natural stone can also be used for fireplace facing or remodeling, as well as for flooring design. Slate natural stone also makes a great impression when used for roofs.
3. Marble
Marble is a luxurious choice for flooring and a wide range of interior spaces decors. It is not rare to come across beautifully designed marble columns in high-end luxury homes or glamorously used for window sills or patio paving.
4. Sandstone, Limestone, and Bluestone
Sandstone, limestone, and bluestone all have similar characteristics and can be applied to similar parts of the house. The material is predominantly used for structural elements in stacked walls, trims, and pillars. However, the stone types can also be exploited for flooring purposes or the creation of stacked walls.
Flagstone is ideal for renovating rural homes and creating a classic living space. The material is a popular choice for pools, patio, or path paving.
From being introduced to the different types of natural stones we can already see that the choice of stone will have to depend on a range of factors. For starters, think about the type of place that you are looking to enhance. What part of your home are you looking to decorate? What type of feel are you looking to create using natural stone?
Factors to consider before choosing your natural stone
Once you have answered the questions from above it is time to move on to the next phase of selection – color. Natural stones are extremely diverse in terms of color shades and nuances. While some stones may be centered on the beige and pink tones, others may have dominating blacks, corals, greens, blues, and more. Darker natural stone types are usually less exposed to staining and preferred on kitchen surfaces, for instance. However, a drawback is that watermarks are easily spotted and fingerprints can be traced.
Natural stone patterns are another factor that shouldn’t be ignored. Every stone has its own, distinctive personality, created from its patterns. Marble is a clear example, with its strong and vibrant swirls. On the other hand, granite’s beauty comes from its colorful flecks. Depending on the pattern of your natural stone, you can achieve effects such as a rustic feel, a casual or warm environment, an inviting or elegant living space, and many more. Think about the end goal before choosing the natural stone for your home decor.
The natural stone’s finish is also bound to have an influence on your home décor. Stone finishes can be polished, brushed, honed, leathered, or flamed. You will discover that the final touch may seem like a minor detail but it does, in fact, play an important role in the final product and its fit with the rest of your home.
Last but not least, it is important to think about the practicality of the chosen stone. Apart from visually appealing, the chosen natural stone should be reliable, durable, convenient, and easy to maintain. Find as much information as possible regarding the stone’s absorption rate, hardness, grade, and thickness to ensure that you have all the necessary information to make an informed decision.
Choosing the best natural stone for your home is an exciting but challenging task. It is worth spending some time to do as much research as possible on the different types of natural stone and their practicality, functionality, and aesthetics before making a decision. Especially if you are a newbie with natural stone, try to avoid being tempted by the stone’s beauty.
We hope that this article will help you select the most appropriate and suitable natural stone for your home décor.
