Bathroom materials: should you choose marble?

Marble is back in vogue, and of course, it’s become again a popular choice for the bathroom. Should you adopt this trend? Read the article and find out!

A timelessly elegant material of undisputed charm, marble finally made its way back into our houses, especially in the bathroom. Sophisticated, luxurious and, probably, much more versatile than in the past (thanks to all the research on the use and processing of this material), it lends itself to unusual solutions that are not only beautiful, but also extremely functional. But, before you get too charmed by the beauty of marble, take a look at our list of pros and cons: we will help you make the right decision, so that you will find the solution that can best fit your tastes and needs.  

A floor-to-ceiling marble wonder, by Keope Ceramiche

Pro: the elegance of simplicity

Let us start from the bright side: here is the first pro of having marble in your bathroom. Marble is a material of great aesthetic impact: this means that often the rooms that host it are simple and essential spaces in which the "wow" effect of the material itself is the protagonist. Even if marble is integrated in just one detail, or if it features a single area of the room, this material will steal the scene and make the environment look like a million dollars. The marble tiles used as wall and floor coverings, or even in the shower, give the surfaces a great intensity and an unquestionable aesthetic class.

The undeniable class of marble: make it even more perfect with a bathtub by Gentry Home!

Con: keep it simple

This is not necessarily a negative aspect of our pros and cons list, but it might be for those who have a bold taste for design. As we mentioned in the previous paragraph, marble is such a rich material, that sometimes it is hard to combine it with a decoration style that features many details and ornaments. When it comes to marble, we need to keep it simple. From modern style to classic allure, simplicity is the only way we will make this material shine in all of its beauty. Otherwise, we take the risk of obtaining a chaotic effect and a confused décor.  Especially in a room like the bathroom, that needs to be relaxing and peaceful, the only way we can use marble is through minimalism. Therefore, if you like a baroque style and cannot imagine your interiors without a richly detailed furniture, marble is not the way to go for you.

A laid-back but perfectly organized bathroom layout by Duravit

Pro: an explosion of colors

White is the first color that comes to mind when we think of marble, but nature has made this wonderful material in so many other different colors. Your bathroom could be enriched by a luxurious emerald green, or added a bit of mystery with an elegant black with marble details, or maybe you could let the sunshine in with a bright yellow stone, or turn the environment on with a fiery red. Colorful marbles will allow you to express your creativity, creating an environment that perfectly matches your personality. Even though we always recommend you to keep it simple, you can be a little experimental with the combination of colors. Another idea could be to match the colorful marble details with some other materials, such as resin, or wood: you will be able to obtain a very unique effect, if you can keep the room harmonious.

A world of colors with Marmi Bruno Zanet

Con: high maintenance

Here is one of the main negative points in our list of pros and cons for marble bathrooms. We all know that this kind of material has high maintenance standards. A great care is required to avoid the formation of stains, with specific products that will clean the surface without being too aggressive. Moreover, approximately every 9 or 12 months, the marble needs to be treated with the application of a protective sealer. You should also consider that, being a natural product, marble tends to age, changing its look in time and developing a thin patina: some might like the lived-in effect, but it is not for all tastes. Everyday maintenance is fundamental for the preservation of the beauty marble: this material must, in fact, be cleaned with mild detergents that must not contain chlorine, and every stain or water dripping must be taken care of as soon as possible, in order for water not to be absorbed by this porous stone.

All the pros of marble without the cons? Try Spanish ceramics brand Fanal!

Pro: perfect even in small bathrooms

We all know how difficult it is to furnish a small room, especially if we are dealing with a bathroom: there are certain essential elements that the area needs in order to be functional, and we certainly do not want to compromise style and design to be efficient. If we choose large marble tiles for a small bathroom, their wideness will make the space instantly look bigger, and the natural nervures of the stone will give visual continuity to the space. Moreover, if used in light colors, our bathroom will also look much more luminous. Regardless of whether you decide to use marble for some details only or for the majority of the bathroom decoration, you can’t go wrong when choosing this material for a small bathroom.

Functional and classy: Nuovvo

Con: a delicate look for a delicate material  

As we said, marble is undoubtedly an extremely versatile material, but we must take into account that it is also very delicate. Being a soft and porous stone, this material is strongly subject to scratches and it quickly absorbs all the liquids that may drip on it. It has a poor resistance to the acidic substances present in some too aggressive cleaning products, which risk damaging it relatively easily. We always must pay attention especially to colored products, such as hair dyes, cosmetics and perfumes: they must be cleaned off immediately after they come into contact with the stone, in order to avoid permanent stains. For all these reasons, marble is not the best choice for homes with small children. Furthermore, the laying of the marble must be performed by highly qualified personnel in order to prevent future damage, such as the mineral salts surfacing in the future.

Just a touch of marble, with Hidronatur

So what is the verdict? Is marble charming enough to enter your bathroom, in spite of the extra care it requires? If you take into consideration all the pros and cons, you can be sure to make the right choice for your needs.