A certain majesty and status are associated with marble bathrooms, especially those with marble covering walls and floors. Reader Jennifer leaped and added this delectable stone to her bathroom and joyfully explained, “I’ve had marble on my master bathroom floors, shower, and counters for five years. I’m not a great cleaner, and it still looks fabulous. Can’t beat real stone.” There is indeed an authenticity associated with marble and soapstone that is incomparable to anything else on the market.
The Truth About Marble Bathrooms: Balancing Aesthetics with Upkeep
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Published: February 17, 2024
Updated: January 2, 2024
Impeccable primary bathrooms with glimmering white marble and polished finishes are all the rage. You may wonder, “What would marble flooring, walls, or countertops look like in my home?” There is no denying the authenticity and quality associated with this coveted stone, but is the upkeep of marble bathrooms worth the cost? “Marble is a longstanding and excellent choice for bathroom spaces,” notes interior designer Neha Kaimal. “Its extensive range of colors, versatility, and durability make it an ideal option for areas that demand stain resistance, toughness, and long-lasting appeal,” Kaimal adds.
However, marble is a porous stone mined out of quarries, and so, like anything natural, it is prone to deterioration. Out of all the opinions swirling around the internet, we at Soul and Lane want to share the good, the bad, and the ugly of marble installation. As such, we have gathered the best tips for you that paint a picture of what day-to-day life with this stone can look like in a busy home. Its beauty in monumental historical buildings worldwide is unmatched, but is it suited for everyday living, and are there similar alternatives? Take a peek and see for yourself!
02 of It’s Classic!
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Marble has been around for centuries and stands in some of the most prominent historical buildings in the world. Many designers and custom home builders will agree that it is certainly worth the specific cleaning practices and upkeep. The appearance of natural stone is unmatched, and as a mom of two, Melissa puts it, “nothing even comes close to the look and feel.”
03 of Extremely Porous
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Because bathrooms are susceptible to chemical use, from cleaning to bathing products, proper maintenance is necessary to protect your investment. Marble is a porous stone, so one reasonably foolproof protective process is sealing your stone. Homeowner Laura says it’s essential to “seal at least once a year.” The sealant will keep the stone looking glossy and free of chemical damage.
Interior designer Ellen Matthews advises pointing out, “Before you dive headfirst into a marble bathroom, think about your lifestyle and how much effort you’re willing to put into keeping it sparkling.” Marble’s beauty and luxurious colors can make any bathroom feel like a million bucks, but are you willing to put in the work?
04 of Selecting Tiles by Hand
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Marble tiles are so unique that every square or rectangle will have a different pattern. In the design process, contributor Laura recommends picking out each tile hand by hand. This will ensure you get the right amount of iron lines and the overall color palette you want. It is easier to purchase tiles in a pack, but hand selection will create a wholly yours look and incomparable to any other.
05 of Always Very Cold
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There is nothing like getting out of bed in the middle of the night to visit the restroom only to walk in and find freezing stone under your feet. This is a common occurrence in a home with marble floors. Take Rhonda’s advice and steer clear as she regretfully shares, “I was always freezing in our bathroom,” which, after a long hot shower, who could want that experience?
06 of Develops a Patina
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Due to the oxidization within the stone from exposure to elements like water and chemicals, natural marble will develop a thin film on top of it, making it appear darker overall. Designer Natalie, who installed marble in her bathroom, expresses, “Do not expect it always to look new. Real stone patinas, but in a beautiful way.” Think of old Italian marble and its distinctive colors to provide a snapshot of what happens to the stone over time.
07 of Oxidization of Iron Lines
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One thing that you may love about your marble is the stark contrast between the dark iron lines and the white stone. White and black interiors are quite popular at the moment, but black, white, and gray marble come with a few crucial elements of consideration. Homeowner Julie, who has ample experience with marble in bathrooms, explains, “The iron in the marble oxidizes and turns brown/orange/yellow when it has a lot of water exposure, and showers, in particular, are most susceptible to this color turning.”
08 of Be Wary of Etching
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Marble has an incredibly smooth surface, but that can be damaged with the overuse of acidic chemicals, like bleach. Be wary of the cleaning supplies you use on these extraordinary and delicate surfaces. Etching will affect the overall sheen of the marble as the chemicals eat away at the porous stone and cause irreparable marks.
09 of Not Steam Resistant
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Design enthusiast Cathy made this design choice, and it’s one that she deeply regrets. After installing Carrera marble with prominent iron lines in her bathroom, oxidization and discoloration took over. “Marble does not hold up well in steam… I want to tear my whole shower out and start over.” She goes on to say that she wishes her tile guy or the representatives at the store would’ve told her so she could’ve made an informed decision otherwise. Thanks for the warning, Cathy!
10 of Opt for Penny Tiles
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Because of etching, patina, and oxidization, all common components of wear on marble, your once picture-perfect tile will take on new characteristics over time. If you’re concerned with how your stone will age, take this pro tip from contributor Kimberly. Instead of a giant marble slab, “small, mosaic or penny tiles hide imperfections well.” This is due to the grout lines that surround each tile, pulling attention away from perceived discoloration.
11 of Porcelain as an Alternative
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If the look of marble has you in a chokehold, but this feedback has you taking a second look at this gorgeous trend, there is plenty of supportive advice stating that porcelain is a great alternative. It gives the same appearance as marble and is more durable and less susceptible to patina, oxidization, and etching. Take this tiled porcelain shower, for example. The straight tile blocks have similar iron lines that contrast beautifully with the shiny white surface, but you can use hard chemicals as you freely wish, keeping a gleaming bathroom for years to come.
