Although marble is a demanding material in the kitchen space, it provides a unique beauty that lasts over time. Marble has low durability, especially when compared to granite , which is more common in interior design, but has its own unique charm.
The marble theme has hit our interiors and everything looks like it will stay with us for a long time. Below we present how you can enjoy marble in your own kitchen - from large investments in the form of countertops to small details as accessories and additions.
Marble Kitchen Design 2022
Marble is a natural stone that has a very specific origin and comes from a specific geographic region. It also exists as one of the most beautiful materials that have always been readily used in interiors. Recently, we can observe a new passion for this raw material - it manifests itself in various forms, from natural stone to imitation, imitating its characteristic pattern.
Marble has been known and valued since ancient times. It is used mainly as a valuable building, sculptural and architectural material. Marble mining is most widespread in Carrara, and Italy has its own name for it - Carrara marble.
Natural stone, in addition to being a good conductor of heat, is also expensive, absorbable and sensitive to certain substances (eg fruit and vegetable juices, fats), subject to discoloration and loss of quality. Instead of natural finishes in this case, you can turn to materials inspired by its beauty, which resemble the original, while demonstrating a number of positive features .
Marble fashion - kitchen trends 2022
It suits the classic style, finds its place in atmospheric compositions, but is also the ideal backdrop for modern interiors and even in the attic. One word is universal. Marble has characteristics that make it an ever-fashionable motif, ever present in a variety of spaces. Its beautiful shades are fantastically in line with the latest trends. Now you have the opportunity to use it in your home, after all, it is a very luxurious and elegant finish.
Marble is good as a decorative and facing stone.
Marble can replace wallpaper in the kitchen. It is also interesting as a cladding for a kitchen countertop. In such places, black marble , or rather tiles inspired by the noble beauty of this material. While black may not be the choice for everyone, those who are creative, bold and confident will certainly appreciate the unique beauty of this classic color softened with elements of elegant gold.
Tiles located in the selected area will give the kitchen interior both a luxurious look and a polished surface , beautifully reflecting natural light and optically enlarging the space.
White and black marble
The high decorative value of marble is demonstrated by its use, which is both characteristic and unique. Particularly desirable is its noble variety in white, which is characterized by a colored gray pattern with harmoniously arranged veins. Black marble in which the white ends stand out can be a wonderful addition.
Marble cut into blocks is extremely expensive, but you can enjoy this stone for much less money. Simply apply, for example, marble mosaics, which combine the beauty of stone with a small format.
To break the strictness of white or black marble , it is also good to use muted beige and introduce objects made of light wood. These can be simple consoles supporting sinks or mirrors, framed in wood, soft-touch fabrics such as a fluffy rug, or velor covers.
In the case of white marble, this type of accent will warm up the decor, being a combination of minimalism and natural Scandinian, while suppressing the coldness of marble surfaces. In the case of black, they will allow you to domesticate an elegant stone and give it a modern character.
White or gray marble can also be combined with pastels. The decor will be more feminine and light, but thanks to the precious stone motif it will not lose its refined character. Copper, black, shiny gold, silver and glass are ideal accessories for a chic kitchen setting.
Combination with other materials
Tree
The combination of marble and wood is a perfectly complementary texture. Wood is in harmony with hand-made products, and marble adds sophistication, so this is a successful and fashionable solution in the interior.
A marble countertop is ideal for a minimalist kitchen. A kitchen island with a wooden base and marble surface can radically change the mood of the room.
Conventionally, marble can be:
- calm is a matte stone of light colors with a weakly expressed pattern. Here it is permissible to use wood of various tones and textures, since it will play an accent role;
- spectacular - often used as an accent material, having a variety of shades, pronounced patterns and a glossy finish. This type of marble is best combined with laconic processed wood, painted in one uniform color.
Glass and metal
The lightness and transparency of the glass emphasizes the purity of marble. Glass objects expand the boundaries of space, reflecting the stone in a favorable light.
With its soft texture, frosted glass blurs clear lines and adds coziness and warmth to cold marble. Black glass will add rigor and contrast to the interior.
A table with a glass top and marble legs would be an excellent compositional solution.
It is difficult to imagine a kitchen without metal objects. Just like glass, metal harmonizes wonderfully with marble. For example, a marble product with a pronounced pattern will be brightly complemented by copper lamps, the finish of a faucet or dishes. A large amount of metal and glass is most typical of the high-tech style.
Take a look at the photo: you see an example of finishing the inner walls of cabinets and columns with white marble. There are two types of doors: metal and glass. Metal doors are trimmed with leather.
Marbled plumbing
Washing
Marble chips are also used to make sinks - this production waste is an excellent alternative to expensive natural stone. The acrylic resin in the composition serves as a binding agent, and dyes allow you to achieve a variety of shades and colors of the product.
The size of the crumbs used and its ratio with polymers directly affects the future texture, pattern and quality of the product.
A built-in sink is practical and can be ordered to suit every taste and color. The monolithic one is one with the countertop, and this is not the most practical element - if it is defective, chipped or otherwise damaged, the entire monolith must be replaced.
Of course, kitchen sinks made of natural stone look very, very presentable, but the material itself is quite capricious: if it is used in the kitchen, it is not always possible to ensure that it is handled with care.
Natural marble is beautiful, it does not heat up and always remains cool, and its thick walls absorb the sound of water. However, you cannot place hot pots and pans or pour boiling water into a marble sink.
It is necessary to limit its interaction with vinegar and abrasive cleaning substances; it is easily chipped and scratched - and this cannot always be avoided when working in the kitchen.
A marble sink looks chic in styles such as minimalism, modern, classic, eclectic, art deco.
When choosing a sink, decide in advance on the model: for example, in a small kitchen it is better to choose a deep but narrow sink, and you can also occupy the “dead” zone by installing a corner design.
Therefore, the installation location should also be considered in advance. In the store, when purchasing, check the sink for damage and for warranty, exchange or return.
Mixer
Stone-effect faucets are easy to use, reliable and wear-resistant. They are made from natural granite with the addition of an acrylic binder or polyurethane resin.
They have different control systems:
- classic system , where a two-valve mixer separately supplies hot/cold water;
- single-lever , consisting of a monolithic body with a built-in cartridge, which regulates the flow of water.
When choosing a faucet, pay attention to the height of the spout. It is necessary to choose it based on the depth and shape of the sink. A spout that is too high for a deep sink will splash water, and a spout that is too low for a wide sink will make washing dishes more difficult.
The mixer is installed in two ways:
- In place of the plugs specially installed by the manufacturer, the plugs are knocked out with a chisel or hammer and the mixer is mounted in the resulting hole.
- In the surface of the sink - if there are no special holes on the sink, then you can install the mixer in any convenient place. To avoid damage to the product, it is better to use the services of specialists.
Marble tiles, marble walls and floors
Marble is not very resistant to impacts or other mechanical damage, but it has unusual aesthetic qualities. And this speaks in his favor. However, there is a very good alternative. If the charm of marble convinces, but you don't have the courage to choose this natural stone because it is difficult to maintain and simply too expensive for you - you can achieve a marble look .
This is probably the biggest area at the moment for many ceramic tile manufacturers who specialize in the production of engineered wood, concrete and just various stones. The charm and appearance are very similar to the original, as well as the quality and durability of the tiles. Materials that imitate natural marble are visually in no way inferior to their original ones.
Artificial or natural?
Which stone should you prefer - artificial or natural? Let's take a closer look at each of them.
Cast marble
This building material boasts of its naturalness and affordability. Its main component is a mixture of mineral filler and polyester resin; additional components can be finely crushed granite, quartz sand or marble chips.
Depending on the scope of use of marble, the technology for its production also varies: by adding special gels, hardeners or pigments to the main mixture, the manufacturer edits the appearance of the product.
Using cast marble, a great variety of household items and sanitary ware are made: countertops, sinks, window sills, dishes, bathrooms, candlesticks and much more.
Advantages of cast marble:
- affordable price;
- strength, moisture resistance, high degree of sound insulation;
- easy to repair and restore;
- long service life;
- absence of radioactive background;
- Possibility of manufacturing any shapes, colors and sizes of the product.
Minuses:
- weakly resistant to temperature changes and heavy loads;
- does not tolerate abrasive substances well, making it difficult to wash contaminated surfaces.
Fake diamond
This is a durable and environmentally friendly material, it contains sand, gypsum or cement, and special coloring pigments give it the desired color. It is used in furniture production, interior design, for the manufacture of shower trays, shelving, countertops, stairs, sinks, etc.
Advantages of artificial stone:
- aesthetic appeal and integrity;
- moisture resistance;
- fire resistance;
- resistance to household chemicals and temperature changes;
- long service life.
Like cast marble, artificial stone does not tolerate cleaning with abrasive substances. The glossy surface requires daily care, but hard brushes, sponges and powders can easily scratch it. In this case, a specialist will help and repolish the product.
By the way, we wrote about the care and restoration of glossy furniture here >>>.
So how do you make a choice? Despite the similarities in the characteristics of artificial and natural stone, there are still differences in them.
First of all, you need to decide on the future purpose of the household appliance: if you want to minimize the noise from flowing water, then it is better to choose a marble sink.
An artificial stone countertop can be safely washed with various chemicals every day. Cast marble is ideal for kitchens where there is high humidity due to fumes during cooking, and artificial stone is the most resistant to damage, which is why it is most often used in interior decoration.
Marble kitchen countertops
First of all, marble absorbs moisture very well and is exposed to food acids even after impregnation. The only effective protection is adherence to the principles of correct use. Acidic foods such as lemon, mustard, red wine, cola, and even mineral water are aggressive to it.
When these acids come into contact with a marble surface, permanent discoloration or degradation of the polymer may occur. It is important to remove them from the countertop surface as soon as possible. There is no other way.
It is true that marble requires special care and attention, but it is a valuable and common material used in kitchens all over the world. If you approach the choice only from a practical point of view, do not reach for natural marble. For those who consider beauty, class and unique appearance equally important, marble has the best recommendation. However, it is also possible to combine both options - as always with the help of the latest technology.
A marble countertop, but not from marble, but from something that marble reproduces. The most common (and cheapest) material is MDF with marble cladding. The second option is sintered quartz or quartz conglomerates, that is, like stone, but subjected to a technological process that improves its properties.
Rules of care
Interiors with marble floors and walls made of this stone have a very impressive appearance, to maintain which you must adhere to certain rules:
- do not use acid-containing household chemicals when cleaning a living room with a marble floor;
- abrasive powders and cleaning creams are prohibited;
- immediately remove stains from spilled liquid, otherwise the floors will quickly lose their presentability;
- white marble stone can be damaged by excessive ultraviolet radiation, so it is recommended to create twilight in the room;
- traces of fat are neutralized with ordinary alcohol;
- Rust can be removed only with professional products.
ADVICE. The cladding will be bright and expressive if it is treated in time with special wax polishes. Clean yellowed areas with a mild soap solution or a drop of hydrogen peroxide. Follow these instructions to ensure the surface remains as neat as the day it was installed.
Marble kitchen accessories
Kitchen accessories are a rewarding topic because they offer a lot of variety and allow you to diversify your interior as much as possible. Hence the fact that more and more often we can find cutting boards and rollers made in marble colors. Marble storage containers are also very popular.
Marble-coated pots are also very popular in the kitchen. This is a very hard and durable layer that performs many functions during cooking. Above all, it allows you to cook economically, maintain a long shelf life and prevent cooked foods from sticking.
A good option to enjoy the beauty of this unique stone is to choose marble accessories. Since these are items that are not subject to daily damage, they will serve us for a long time. However, you must remember to choose them for your kitchen decor.
Will marble be fashionable in 2022? The answer is simple - of course it is! This is an eternal material that has found its home in interiors. It can be the basis of cool minimalism or the backdrop to a space inspired by the Scandinavian climate. Regardless of the style, shades and decorations that accompany it, it guarantees effortless elegance, becoming the centerpiece of the kitchen.
