When it comes to creating a beautiful, functional bathroom there’s one thing you have to consider – natural stone. For countertops, tiles, and floors, natural stone is a great choice. You have plenty of different options available for different uses, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider the types of natural stone available to decide which will best suit your bathroom.

Marble

Marble is traditionally a high-class stone and a highly polished marble lends a dramatic, classy air to the bathroom. High-gloss marble is a good choice for countertops and you can find marble slabs in a wide range of colours which means it is suitable for a wide range of different bathrooms. Marble is not the easiest stone to care for, however, and it is susceptible to staining. You can avoid this by sealing the stone and making sure that spills are removed as soon as possible.

Limestone

Limestone is less formal than marble and is a good alternative when you do not have the budget for marble stone. Limestone is not normally finished to a gloss shine but is generally matte. You need to make sure that you properly clean and care for limestone because it is very absorbent. One of the benefits of limestone is you can find it in a wide range of colours, from creamy white to red or bright yellow.

Granite

Granite is not cheap, but it is a supremely versatile, hard-wearing rock that gives a luxury look to the bathroom. Granite is very hard and is characterised by rich layers of quartz and crystal suspended inside it. Granite is a good choice for areas that see a lot of use because it is almost impossible to scratch granite. If you install granite countertops you will be able to enjoy their beauty for years to come. According to www.jrstone.co, granite is a top choice for stylish bathrooms as the look of granite is contemporary, and the rock is functional too.

Soapstone

If you have soapstone in the bathroom you don’t need to worry about water harming the stone – soapstone is highly dense and not absorbent. Soapstone will not stain. If you apply a coat of mineral oil, this will take care of the surface and ensure you can enjoy the stone for years.

Slate

Slate is naturally formed into layers, making it ideal for use on bathroom counters. Slate has an organic, textured look that makes it suitable for bathrooms with a rustic or traditional style. You can find slate in black, green, or grey shades and this versatile stone is cheaper than granite (though not as hard.)

Sandstone

Sandstone is normally a reddish-brown or creamy colour and is a coarse-grained rock that has been formed by moving water or wind across sand. You need to properly seal sandstone to prevent staining and also to ensure that the rock is protected from hot surfaces and scratches.