There are countless types of natural stone to choose from, but which one suits your kitchen best? It all depends on your style preferences, maintenance expectations, and how much of a statement you want your benchtop to make.
I’ll never forget my visit to the Carrara quarries in Italy a few years ago - the sheer scale of the site was astonishing. Towering white cliffs, deep excavation sites, and the hum of machinery cutting through the marble that has adorned the world’s most elegant spaces for centuries. What struck me most was that, despite years of extraction, only a fraction of the site has been used. It’s a powerful reminder that natural stone is a precious and finite resource, making your choice all the more meaningful.
Selecting the Stone
Pattern & Movement: Do you love the drama of bold veins and a striking, organic feel, or would you prefer something softer and more understated? This is a key decision before you start shopping. Some stones, like Calacatta marble, have highly pronounced veins, while others, like a soft quartzite, offer more subtle movement.
Colour Palette: Natural stone comes in a vast array of colours. While white and grey marble remain classics, there are stunning deep greens, rich browns, reds, blues and dramatic blacks. Consider how your benchtop will complement your cabinetry, flooring and overall kitchen aesthetic.
Material Matters
Marble is timeless and luxurious but is also porous and can stain and suffer etching from acidic foods. It requires sealing and careful maintenance.
Granite is incredibly durable, more heat-resistant, and less porous than marble, making it a great choice for busy kitchens.
Quartzite combines the beauty of marble with the toughness of granite. It’s harder and more resistant to stains, making it a fantastic option for those who love the look of marble but need something more practical.
Important Tip: Select Your Slab in Person - Unlike engineered stone, no two natural stone slabs are identical (see below). Veining, colour intensity, and movement can vary greatly, even within the same batch. Always visit the supplier to hand-pick your slab to ensure you get exactly what you love.
WK Stone have a well stocked website to get you started - find which of their showroom is closest to you.
These images taken from WK Stone website show how different slabs can be within the same stone type.
An Alternative for Low-Maintenance Living
If you love the look of stone but don’t want the upkeep - or if budget constraints come into play - consider engineered stone. Man-made options like Quantum Zero offer consistent colours and patterns, are more resistant to stains, and require less maintenance. While they may lack the natural variation of real stone, they provide a practical, cost-effective alternative that still delivers style and durability.
No matter which option you choose, your kitchen benchtop is a centrepiece - make sure it reflects your lifestyle and design vision!
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has three decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to properties through effective design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information. More of James' knowledge is now accessible via Practical Design downloadable material.
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