Marble for countertops and floors is generally not recommended due to the natural porosity and brittleness of the stone. However, advances in the way it is treated and ended have made it possible to do just that.

Today, marble can grace kitchen and bathroom countertops, two wet rooms once considered the enemies of stone, giving consumers the opportunity to give their homes an upscale look. Of course, maintenance is far from zero (as is the case with expensive materials), but even so, being able to use marble, even as a small accent, is sometimes enough to give just the right touch of elegance.

Since stone is instantly recognizable, there’s no need to go all out and deck out a bathroom with a full suite of marble products. A better way to achieve elegance and save money is to follow the ideas below. Remember to periodically seal the stone to reduce porosity and ensure greater durability.

• Marble Floors – Tile your floor with marble and complete it with ceramic sinks and backsplashes, glass doors and frameless cabinets. For a more dramatic look, choose dark marble tiles with contrasting white or gray veins. Add more white or gray in other parts of the room to balance out the color scheme and keep the space from looking too drab.

• Marble Countertops: For a subtle and affordable touch of marble, install it as a countertop. It looks amazing and you don’t have to break the bank. Since it will cover only a small surface area, you can afford to go all out in terms of design. If desired, make the countertop act as a focal point where it stands out from the rest of the room’s components through color and pattern.

• Marble bathtub: Is there anything that screams more luxury than a marble bathtub? It’s a bit pricey but if you don’t like the idea of ​​protruding marble floors or if a countertop is too subtle, a bathtub is perfect. To strike the right balance between design and functionality, customize the tub to match size requirements, add vintage or unique fixtures, and decorate the bathroom in the style of the tub. If you don’t want a full marble bathtub, make the surrounds in the stone as accents.

• Marble shower: A marble shower is another way to decorate your bathroom with this exquisite rock. White marble looks elegant and classy, ​​judging by the number of wealthy houses that have it. Complement the subtle marbling and light color by installing a white vanity, white walls, soft yellow lighting, and metal accents in the form of drawer pulls and door knobs.

Like all natural stones, marble is susceptible to some damage due to a number of factors. Acids and strong chemicals used in hair dyes, for example, can stain your hair, while too much water exposure can affect its durability. When cleaning, only a mild detergent can be used because others contain harsh chemicals.

Despite its considerably higher maintenance, marble is nonetheless one of the most beautiful natural building materials you will find. Few other stones come close to matching it in elegance and opulence. If you want to increase the value of your home, this is the component that will do it.