We all love the look of a luxurious stone surface, and as designers, we’re always looking for new ways to incorporate interesting materials for our clients! No longer are we limited to stone countertops and backsplashes. Adventurous homeowners are opting for stone furniture, fixtures, and accent walls — making the already overwhelming choice of stone all the more important! There are SO many species and colors of stones to choose from when designing your home, it’s hard to know where to begin. Here, I want to give a designers’ guide to choosing the right stone for your space, and a few of my favorite ways to incorporate, whether you’re looking for a stone-clad closet or a decorative accent for your nightstand!

MARBLE

Perhaps the most varied and popular stone when it comes to lavish living spaces, marble comes in a full spectrum of colors. While beautiful and luxurious, marble is one of the more sensitive stones, and can be very prone to staining, especially if you opt for a white Carrara or similar. For this reason, marble may not be the best choice in your kitchen, but in less trafficked areas like a closet or vanity, it can be a beautiful way to go with the proper care and maintenance in mind! Marble can be worked into almost any shape, meaning you can get creative with the ways you use it — consider a custom drawer front detail, a marble drawer pull, or a hand-carved decorative dish!

TRAVERTINE

Another popular stone, Travertine is also considered a luxurious option! A slightly more porous stone, it’s also not ideal for areas of the home where it might be exposed to lots of oils and liquids. However, if your heart is set on a solid travertine bathroom or vanity, there are ways to seal the stone so it will withstand the elements. It’s otherwise quite durable, and extremely heat resistant, making it a perfect option for flooring, fireplaces and areas of your home exposed to lots of natural light! Its neutral, earthy appearance make it a popular choice for muted and minimal palettes. If you’re looking to recreate a retro or Italian-inspired look, this is the perfect place to start.

GRANITE

There’s a reason our monuments and statues are made from granite — it’s one of the most durable stones available! Not to mention being heat-resistant, water-resistant, and incredibly strong, it can also be found with an endless variety of colors and veining, meaning it can really complement any style of space. Ideal for almost any high traffic area, many homeowners use granite in kitchens and bathrooms. Given how heavy and hard this material is, you’ll be hard-pressed to find decorative applications like furniture and accessories. If your closet takes a beating, granite could be a great option for your island or bureau top! Black Cosmic is a personal favorite of the granite varieties if you’re after a modern look!

AGATE

Agate is a less common, semi-precious stone. It’s instantly recognizable due to its characteristic patterning, and can be found in a range of colorful variations! Given its precious nature, it’s not the natural first choice as a surface material for most homeowners. However, if you can afford it and like the look, you won’t regret a beautiful agate tabletop or accent wall. Since it’s also a translucent stone, and can be cut very thin, backlighting is also a fabulous option to add drama to a vanity or closet! If you’re looking to incorporate this look on a smaller scale, agate coasters or drawer pulls could also be a fun, affordable option.

ONYX

Another semi-precious option, onyx is arguably one of the most beautiful and sought-after stones for interior design applications! Prone to chipping and cracking, it isn’t ideal for flooring or other areas of the home that may take a serious beating, but for a dramatic statement stone in more private parts of the home, it can’t be beat! It will require a little more care than its granite and marble counterparts, but most would argue it makes ups for the maintenance with its translucent, ethereal look. It is a very heat-resistant stone, making it great for a vanity or bathroom where it could be exposed to hair tools and high temperatures. Also light-transmitting, a backlit onyx island or accent wall is a welcome addition to any master suite! If you’re looking for a little feminine flair, consider a pink onyx variety!

PETRIFIED WOOD

Not technically a stone, petrified wood is a great natural alternative, which is extremely durable! Formed by the crystallization of wood over millions of years, it is rock hard, and gives a very similar appearance to agate when cut into slabs! Less varied, you’ll find options in mostly black and brown hues, but the lower price point and rugged durability are attractive if you’re after for a natural look that mimics a semi-precious stone! It’s best when used in smaller applications, like tabletops and accessories, as the slabs aren’t available in the large sizes you might find for most stone surfaces.

CAMBRIA

If you’re looking for something completely maintenance and stress-free, you might consider a quartz stone alternative like Cambria! Their engineered stones are completely nonabsorbent and actually harder than natural marble or granite! They offer designs that mimic the veining and sheen of many natural materials, and can help you find something to complement any style or application.