Marble for kitchen counters: 16 Beautiful Marble Kitchen Countertops

16 Beautiful Marble Kitchen Countertops

By

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan

Deirdre Sullivan is an interior design expert and features writer who specializes in home improvement as well as design. She began her career as an assistant editor at Elle magazine and has more than a decade of experience. Deirdre contributes content for brands including The Spruce and Realtor.com, and has been a featured speaker at various conferences.

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Updated on 02/28/22

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There are gazillions of kitchens with beautiful marble countertops on Instagram and Pinterest, making it easy to become obsessed with the natural material after scrolling your feeds. While there is no doubt marble is gorgeous, we would be remiss for not letting you know it is a bit high maintenance. First off, it is a lot softer than good old granite so instead of chopping directly on top of marble, grab a cutting board to avoid scratching. The stone is also porous, which means spills that are not immediately cleaned up can stain—hello red wine!

The good news? Marble has plenty of pros. Marble is heat resistant, but to help keep a marble countertop looking its best, experts say piping hot pots and pans should be placed on top of a kitchen towel, pot holder, or trivet. Also, sealing a marble countertop on a yearly basis will help it resist stains and light scratches. Another good to know, there are many different types of marble to choose from. Here we share our favorites.

• 01
  of 16

  Pietra Gray

  Construction Resources

  If you prefer matte surfaces, consider honed marble. Slabs like these are ground to achieve a smooth, flat surface with a matte finish. In this cooking space by Construction Resources out of Atlanta, Georgia, a honed Pietra gray marble countertop gives a rustic kitchen island a chic lift.

• 02
  of 16

  White Thassos

  Homepolish

  Snow white Thassos marble countertops make a big splash in this thoroughly modern kitchen by Homepolish interior designer Daniela Malca. The floor is blue cement tile. The beautiful backsplash is mother-of-pearl tile. Gold accents including the brass faucet and cabinet hardware bring the bling.

• 03
  of 16

  Beautiful Blue and Gold

  Enviable Design

  The gorgeous blue and gold marble counter on top of the kitchen island anchors this contemporary cooking space by Enviable Design based in Vancouver, Canada. The slab’s blue and gold veins are picked up in the stone backsplash and brass pendant lighting. 

• 04
  of 16

  Mystery White and Shaker Style

  Studio McGee

  When designing this lovely shaker style kitchen, the interior designers at Utah based, Studio McGee went with a soft neutral palette. Here soft gray cabinetry and a white backsplash are combined with Mystery White marble countertops. 

• 05
  of 16

  Blue Countertop and Matching Backsplash

  Ella Scott Design

  A kitchen in a traditional home in Bethesda, Maryland got a fresh new look courtesy of interior design firm, Ella Scott Design. The chic yet homey cooking space features a blue marble countertop paired with a matching backsplash. Additional features stick with the cooking space’s mostly cool-hued palette—most notably, the stainless steel Wolf range, brushed nickel cabinets knobs, and chrome faucet.

• 06
  of 16

  Carrera Marble With Butcher Block

  Homepolish

  Wood and marble are a fantastic pair in this rustic modern kitchen with a Scandinavian vibe by Homepolish designer Erika Yeaman. Stained oak cabinets give this cooking space a touch of rugged appeal. Along the wall are a Carrera marble countertop and a matching backsplash. Topping off the kitchen island is maple butcher block.

• 07
  of 16

  White Himalaya in a Black Kitchen

  April Tomlin Interiors

  White Himalaya marble countertops brighten this stunning black kitchen by April Tomlin Interiors based in Nashville, Tennessee. The marble goodness does not stop there. Covering the walls are black marble tile set in a herringbone pattern. Two gold polyhedron pendant lights bring a touch of glam to the table. Never be afraid to mix metals. Additional metallic accents include the brushed nickel cabinet knobs and chrome faucet.

• 08
  of 16

  Dramatic Delano

  Brooke Wagner Design

  Add some zing to your white cooking space with a Delano Marble countertop as shown on this kitchen island. The team behind Brooke Wagner Design based in Newport Beach, California did not want to detract from the natural stone’s dramatic gray lines, so they painted the island the same shade as the cabinets and chose see-through Lucite bar stools. The dark countertop lining the wall is soapstone.

• 09
  of 16

  Chic in Black

  Swan Architecture

  When we saw this black marble countertop and book-matched marble backsplash, it was love at first sight. Swan Architecture situated in Minneapolis, Minnesota created this cooking space with the goal of marrying retro Hollywood style with modern Hollywood glam. The accomplished their mission by blending the marble features with glitzy accents including the gold velvet bar stools and chic pendant lighting.

• 10
  of 16

  Honed Black and White

  Strickland Mateljan Architecture

  A honed black marble countertop is perched on a traditional kitchen island in this bright cooking space by Strickland Mateljan Architecture based in Ontario, Canada. The shaker cabinets are a paint shade called Cloud White by Benjamin Moore. 

• 11
  of 16

  Engineered Quartz and Natural Marble

  Homepolish

  Engineered quartz and natural marble are a beautiful duo in this stylish black and white cooking space by Homepolish designer, Natalie Chianese. The kitchen island has a white quartz countertop by Caesarstone. Against the wall are a Calacatta marble countertop and a matching backsplash. 

• 12
  of 16

  Mix and Match

  Brooke Wagner Design

  These days kitchen designers are mixing and matching countertop materials. Case in point, this contemporary cooking space by California company Brooke Wagner Design. The kitchen island is Carrera marble. The black counter along the wall is soapstone.

• 13
  of 16

  Crema Marfil

  Centsational Style

  Stone countertops come in a broad range of soothing natural hues. In this cooking space spotted on Centsational Style, a soft beige, Crema Marfil marble countertop sets the tone for a pale, green glass tile backsplash.

• 14
  of 16

  Classic White Kitchen

  Ethelind Coblin Architect

  White kitchens offer enduring style. This New York Upper West Side kitchen by Ethelind Coblin Architect situated in New York City proves the point. The cooking space features cream cabinetry and white, gray-veined marble countertops. The oak table that doubles as a kitchen island also has a marble topper.

• 15
  of 16

  Calacatta Gold

  Construction Resources

  This Calacatta gold marble kitchen island is a standout for its timeless style. Atlanta, Georgia based interior design firm, Construction Resources combined the luxurious stone countertop with brass hardware and gold lined pendant lights to bring out the material’s lovely gold and gray veins.

• 16
  of 16

  Natural Stone

  Lauren Shadid Architecture

  Let’s say that you really want natural marble, but you are very concerned about the material’s long-term durability. Enter quartzite. It looks exactly like marble, and it too is natural stone. Even better, it is perfect for busy kitchens that experience daily wear and tear. 

  For this busy kitchen in a family home, California based design firm, Lauren Shadid Architecture went with a quartzite countertop. The fireplace surround is also natural quartzite.

Pros and Cons of Marble Countertops

In a time when marble is everywhere — seriously, it’s even on our walls — it’s normal to want to hop onto a slab of nature’s finest and never let go, especially when you start crunching the numbers (it’s affordable!). If you’re going into a kitchen reno, though, you should know that marble’s pretty exterior is hiding a few dirty secrets. It’s not all bad, but when it comes to making an investment, we’re all about transparency (ha, rock jokes). Here’s everything you need to know.

1. Marble is a porous, high-maintenance surface.

We could get into the geology of this, but the takeaway is that marble is vulnerable to staining agents (like wine, juice and oil) that seep deep into the rock. When this happens, it’s difficult to reverse, so professionally sealing the surface upon installation is essential to help prevent damage. The key word here is help. Unfortunately, you’ll need to repeat the sealing process (you can do this yourself, with a quality sealant) every six months if you’re a frequent cook.

If you do find yourself battling permanent “pops of color” due to red wine stains, Carolyn Forté, the Home Care and Textiles Director at the Good Housekeeping Institute, recommends dipping a cloth into a few drops of ammonia and 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide before wiping the stain; repeat until the mark is gone.

2. Be prepared to see some scratches.

… And to slice lemons on a butcher’s block. Prolonged exposure to an acid (called etching) removes the polish or sealant from marble’s finish and makes it dull and more vulnerable to scratches. Honing your marble — a process that results in a matte, less polished effect – might make etching less noticeable, but won’t stop it from happening, unfortunately. Another reason for chips? Marble is much softer than other durable stones (think granite!). For this reason, avoid leaning up against your marble island wearing a belt or long metal necklaces.

Getty Images

3. If you don’t mind the extra work, they are a beautiful addition.

Search “marble kitchen” on Pinterest and scroll through — it’s hard not to pin every single image, right? The gleaming surface looks polished and feminine alongside gold or brass accenting or monochromatic and modern when paired with chrome. Considering marble’s multifaceted ability to work with so many different design styles, it makes sense that it’s trending right now. If you’re a homeowner looking for a wipe-and-go countertop, though, you’ll probably want to skip this one.

4. It’s cost-effective, depending on the type of marble you buy.

Carrara marble (a grayer version with softer veins from Carrara, Italy) is one of the least expensive natural countertop materials on the market, mainly because it’s readily available. Opt for a rarer, luxury stone like Calacatta marble, which offers a whiter surface and more dramatic veining, and the price tag goes up. Unfortunately, much of the marble you’re seeing all over the internet might not be the affordable stuff.

5. Marble is heat-resistant — which is great — but you still need to be careful.

If you’re baking in the middle of a heat wave, you can rely on marble countertops to stay as icy as central air. The stone is also heat-resistant, making it a good option if your kitchen sees a lot of bake-offs. Despite its ability to withstand high temps, you never want to place a piping hot pot on marble (or granite or quartz for that matter!), for risk of discoloring or burning the surface — always use a pot holder.

16 examples with interior design photos

Marble is a unique natural material. Its internal structure is very beautiful: veins of various shades.

It has been used and continues to be used to create sculptures, palaces, and now a marble countertop for the kitchen is very popular. They fit perfectly into both modern and classic interiors.

The pros and cons of marble countertops will be discussed in this article.

And if marble countertops are an unaffordable luxury for you, you can always replace them with high-quality marble imitations that embody Cedar countertops.

Photo source: busterandpunch.com

General impression

Natural stones in the interior will help a person feel more comfortable. They make the room much more comfortable.

Marble is easy to process – this is a plus. But this advantage has a downside – high sensitivity to all aggressive influences.

Marble is very diverse in patterns and colors. The range varies from classic light (white, cream) and dark (brown, black) shades to very unusual ones – reddish, pink, gray, blue, green, etc.

Photo from the source: pufikhomes.com

Photo from the source: polinov.ru

Advantages

Marble kitchen countertops have significant advantages.

• First, they are incredibly beautiful. Due to its softness, this material can be worked out in detail, unlike quartz or granite.

• Secondly, they are always unique, because the natural marble pattern is unique. You will not find two identical slabs anywhere in the world.

• Thirdly, marble will not cause an allergic reaction under any circumstances.

Fact: Like all natural stones, it always stays cool even in hot weather.

Attention! Don’t forget to learn how to care for your marble top. To make it last as long as possible.

Fact: The color that marble has depends on which minerals and in what quantity are contained in its composition.

About the disadvantages

The disadvantages of marble countertops also need to be considered. Like any other thing, it is not without flaws.

• The main one is a high price tag. Only granite products and exclusive products made of epoxy resin, tempered glass or acrylic are more expensive.

• The need for careful maintenance is another disadvantage. This is not chipboard or MDF, which can be dirty and washed with almost anything.

• Do not leave hot objects on the marble. Of course, it will not burn, melt, or start a fire, but there is a high risk of marks on the finish, cracking.

• Avoid spilling wine, coffee, juice or tea. Stubborn stains may remain. Marble is a porous material that absorbs liquids well.

Photo from the source: kamin.lutsk.ua

• Acids and vinegar must be handled with extreme care, because even a drop of any acid can harm marble countertops.

Attention! Try to clean up any liquids you spill right away by first rinsing well with water and then wiping thoroughly with a towel. There are times when the stain can only be removed with the help of cleaners.

Do you want a countertop with a unique marble texture, but are not ready to take care of it carefully? The catalog of the tabletop factory KEDR will help you! These are high-quality and environmentally friendly countertops made of laminated chipboard that do not require particularly careful maintenance. And there are more than 180 decors in the catalog. Choose!

Cast marble: countertop disadvantages

Cast marble is an artificial stone, for the manufacture of which acrylic resin is used, to which artificial and natural elements are added. The disadvantages of such countertops include:

• inability to withstand sudden changes in temperature – if boiling water is spilled on the surface immediately after cold water, it will damage it;

• Distortions during installation are unacceptable – they will put pressure on the material, which will also damage the surface. More often this happens where the window sill is.

Photo from the source: maestro. ua

Protecting from pollution

Damage, stains and other dangers that warn marble countertops in the kitchen can be prevented by using special protective equipment.

Those designed for marble surfaces are based on synthetic and natural waxes. And the regularity of such processing is very important. But even in this case, it is necessary to protect the surface from potentially dangerous liquids.

Before using any marble care product, carefully read the instructions for use. First, it is better to try it in a small concentration on a small area that is least noticeable.

Attention! Protective coating stopped working? Marble countertop defects will be eliminated by professionals who have special equipment for grinding and polishing.

Installation

Accurate pre-measurement is a must for installing marble countertops.

Photo from the source: kitchen-eco.ru

Installation work consists of gluing the components of an already processed marble countertop with resin.

Marble kitchen countertops are mounted on top of the box, which is already mounted in its entirety. The reason for this is a lot of weight. Do not even try to lift this kitchen top yourself. This will require at least three people.

Stages of installation of a kitchen top

1. Fitting – there are differences in height, special gaskets are attached to the lower sections of the headset. With the help of a grinder, it helps to eliminate holes for built-in appliances, a sink;

2. Seams are covered with masking tape;

3. First, the corners of the countertop are fixed, then the entire plate around the perimeter. Dowels, sealants based on silicone, self-tapping screws act as fasteners. Epoxy composition, the tone of which is matched to the tone of marble, is used for processing seams;

4. The console is laid and attached.

5. After the glue has completely cured, the countertop is sanded. Did you notice that the sealant came to the surface? To remove it, denatured alcohol is used.

Care

Photo from the source: masterproff.ru

In this case, you need to update the sealant layer about twice a year, because marble is a porous material. Such countertops are easy to clean, because for this you need ordinary warm water and mild soap.

Since marble is less durable than, for example, granite, use special linings for red-hot dishes and boilers. And in order not to accidentally damage the surface during the cutting process, do not forget about the boards.

Photo from the source: archiprofi.ru

Basic Precautions

We will pay special attention to this issue. Here are the steps to help you extend the life of your marble countertop to the maximum possible:

• if the stain cannot be removed the first time, try rubbing the soap in with rotational movements;

• Clean the surface as often as you can. In this case, use only soft tissues that are moistened with a mild soapy solution;

• if the marble is dark and there is a stain on it, use acetone to remove it;

• stains from transparent surfaces will help remove hydrogen peroxide;

• to prevent the appearance of traces of water, after it hits the surface, immediately wipe it off;

• make using coasters and napkins a habit;

• application of non-toxic sealant is best repeated once or twice a year;

• forget about using abrasives.

Marble countertop for the kitchen: photo in the interior

Light marble is a versatile option, because such countertops are suitable for headsets in any style.

Photo source: weheartit.com

This is not only white marble, but also all its shades, as well as gray, blue with dark and light veins. The main advantage of such countertops is that small cuts and scratches on them are not at all noticeable.

An ideal pair of marble countertops will be classic wooden facades with straight lines. And such work surfaces look good in country and Provence style kitchens.

Photo source: i. pinimg.com

Dark marble countertops look organic in loft and high-tech kitchens.

Photo from the source: pinterest.ru

Surface types

Manufacturers offer marble countertops with various surfaces:

Matte

If you touch the matte tabletops, they will remind you of a silk fabric by tactile sensations. The color is usually muted.

Photo from the source: makmart.ru

The processing of the coating opens the pores of the stone, therefore, in this case it is impossible to cut products directly on the countertop without using a special board. And be even more careful with liquids – matte marble countertops instantly absorb them due to their high porosity.

Antique

It looks like skin that is covered with mother-of-pearl. This treatment is used for dark marble. Its plus is that prints from dishes, fingers and small chips are not noticeable.

Photo from the source: fasadart.ru

Glossy

Ideally highlights and emphasizes the structure of natural stone. On this type of surface, chips, fingerprints and dishes are not noticeable.

Appearance is not the only difference between these surfaces. They also differ in terms of application. For example, matte countertops look great in country kitchens. Glossy – in art deco and baroque. Decorating countertops with gilding and stucco in such styles will also not be superfluous.

Photo source: behance.net

How to choose?

Studying catalogs of countertops, pay attention to:

1. Presence/absence of foreign inclusions – if the marble is clean and does not contain mica, quartz, ore, the price of such a countertop will be very high. Otherwise, when there are too many extraneous minerals, the countertop will look sloppy;

2. Thickness – the minimum figure is 1. 9 cm. The protrusion that is recommended to be made above the facade is from 2.5 to 3 cm. In this case, you can choose any edge, according to your desire;

3. End profile processing – various options are available: semi-rolls, rolls, figured turning with polishing, chamfer. The main requirement is that there are no chips.

Natural marble kitchen worktop – is it a reliable option?

Natural stone has more and more sincere fans. This is understandable – after all, it has undeniable advantages over any material of artificial origin. Of course, if you use it correctly, choosing the option that suits the characteristics and style.

On the Internet, sometimes there is an opinion that marble in the kitchen is unacceptable because of its increased vulnerability to mechanical stress, acid and various liquids that can contaminate it, penetrating deep into.

Connoisseurs of natural stone in the interior have the opposite point of view: natural marble in the kitchen looks great and, in terms of performance, is definitely not worse than postforming countertops.

With today’s post, we decided to dot the i’s so that people who choose marble for their kitchen countertops have no illusions and do not criticize this material in vain.

Is marble durable?

Marble refers to rocks of medium hardness. Therefore, it is not worth dropping weights on it. But what special “blows of fate” will your kitchen countertop endure? It is unlikely that by installing a countertop made of natural stone, or any other material (even metal), you will use it without using a cutting board.

If we compare a countertop made of natural marble and an analogue of its imitation, the latter will definitely not outperform the original in terms of strength. This applies not only to endurance in relation to cutting work. You will also not put a kettle or saucepan that has just been removed from the stove on the plastic cover.

Thus, you get a logical conclusion: almost all materials are no more resistant to damage than natural marble. It’s just that cheaper kitchen countertops are easier to replace.

Are natural marble countertops stain resistant?

They say you shouldn’t spill wine on marble. This is partly true. But, it’s worth making adjustments: if you spill it and wipe it right away, it’s okay. If you leave a puddle of wine on the surface of white marble overnight, this will become a problem.

Whatever your countertop, stubborn stains should be wiped off immediately. Even low-porous plastic is able to absorb aggressive pigments and deteriorate visually.

Therefore, it would be a mistake to say that a marble kitchen countertop is a problematic option to maintain. It is enough to choose the right shade of the stone and take care of your things. You will find: natural marble is no more whimsical than artificial counterparts.

Moisture resistance of marble top

Of course, natural marble is less moisture resistant than cast stone or glass or solid plastic. But don’t be dramatic. It is unlikely that your kitchen countertop will be flooded with water for several days. And daily moisture in standard amounts of your natural marble kitchen countertop will never be your worst enemy.

If we compare countertops made of moisture resistant fiberboard and natural stone, it is the former that will be more susceptible to damage due to swelling from water. If the edging is poorly done, the joints of the plates or the cutouts for the sink are not sufficiently treated with sealant, the postforming countertop will begin to deteriorate irreversibly. But marble, on the contrary, will survive it.

Natural marble in the kitchen in the countertop, backsplash and any other product, as well as any other material, will gratefully respond to care and attention.