Which is the best marble for kitchen countertops?

With a plethora of different marble varieties available from around the globe, it’s hard to narrow down which stone is best for your kitchen. Of course, all kitchens and all lifestyles are different. So what may be the best marble for kitchen countertops in one home may not be the best in another. We take a look at different marbles for different types of the kitchen to shed some light on where you should be casting your eye.

Family kitchens

If your kitchen is a busy place, with all members of the family cooking up a storm, it needs a worktop to match! Although, when sealed, marble is extremely hard wearing and can take a lot of activity, acidic spills like lemon or vinegar can leave a white-ish mark. So, for the busiest of kitchens (especially those where the kids are learning to cook!) stick to the whiter hues. This means that any accidents will be far less visible. Varieties such as Arabescatos and Carraras are ideal, with a classic aesthetic.

Large kitchens

If your kitchen is a large and bright space, you have a huge amount of freedom when choosing the colour of your marble. The key consideration for these spaces is in veining and patterning. As marble is mined as slabs, you will need to select a variety which is available in longer slabs to avoid unnecessary joins. It’s also worth considering how patterns would be joined at seals in-between slabs. Darker varieties can tend to display a more regular patterning, so look at Nero or Breccia marbles.

Small kitchens

Keep it light in a small kitchen. This will maximise the natural light and feeling of space in the room. Corners become more obvious in smaller kitchen areas as they are in closer proximity to each other. Veined marble varieties like Calacatta or Delicato can work beautifully here as they can be mirrored at the corner joins to give a splash of the artistic.

Statement kitchens

Marble is the perfect stone for a statement kitchen, as there are so many dramatic varieties out there. Depending on the way that a marble is cut, you can look for a single large streak of veining in coloured marble, or a swirling wave of movement in the stone as often found in Travertine varieties. Both will be a real talking point for a statement kitchen.

Social Kitchens

If your kitchen is a hub if entertaining, from after school playdates to drinks and dinner, choose your marble countertop accordingly. Warm hues are perfect here so stick to creams and greys. Botticino varieties are gentle and welcoming, while Dove Nuvolato can be relied upon to soften a room.

Finishing touches

Of course, the variety of marble is not the only factor in how it sits in your kitchen. You will need to decide on the finish and edging. These features can massively alter the appearance of a marble countertop so it’s worth taking time to consider. Depending on the range that you settle on, you can choose a gloss, matt or textured finish. Rounder edging is popular for marble countertops as this helps to avoid any chipping.

Taking care of your marble

Once you have the best marble for your kitchen countertops installed, it’s important to take care of them. The good news is that marble is a pretty low maintenance surface. Once sealed, the natural porosity of the stone is protected. With regular resealing, the day to day care of a marble countertop is very minimal. Just wipe spills with a gentle dish soap and warm water and that’ll see you through!

We know that marbles are intensely personal. To browse our marble ranges, or have a conversation about which variety may best suit your lifestyle and design concept, just get in touch!