Marble in the bathroom and toilet

Mixing different types of stone creates a playful expression

Marble is often associated with luxury and flair, and of course that's true. Few materials give the exclusive feeling that marble does. Marble has been a popular building material for thousands of years. It is found not least in old castles but also in other public environments such as stairwells, airports, and museums. Places that stand up to wear and tear on a daily basis and have done so for decades and even centuries.

We are in a time where quality and sustainability are very important. Priority is given to building something that will last a long time. Something that is timeless and that you hopefully won't get tired of when trends change to others. And what other material is not suitable, if not marble? Because trends come and go, marble will always be a material that lasts.

Dare to bet on the floor in a small bathroom or toilet

Guest toilets are rarely the room that gets the most love in Swedish homes. The room has been untouched since the 70s, and has not seen the light of day since then. There is often a sink that is far too large for the meager square meters. A linoleum carpet for the floor is also common. We want to strike a blow for renovations of guest toilets, because perhaps the most fun and exciting renovation project is hidden here. Here are all the possibilities where you can dare to go outside your own comfort zone. Since it often applies to a small area, you can advantageously go all-in to have an effect, for real.

We like Flack Studio's design with our pink Fauske marble on the floor and plinth, combined with plaster on the wall and a painted chest of drawers. The details fit very well, and the different material choices and colors blend together in an incredibly beautiful and obvious way. Rose Uniacke has designed an elegant bathroom with a beautiful marbled stone on the floor, creamy white plaster, and a classic porcelain sink. See how nice it looks when you paint the woodwork the same color as the wall.

Furnishing a room, adding warmth and material combinations

Depending on the impression you want the room to give, you can play with different materials and color combinations. If you want a cozy impression in the room, you can focus on adding some warm materials and details along with the marble. A deep wall color, a shower curtain in woven linen, or a wooden chest of drawers usually immediately give the room a warmer feeling. Perhaps a brass basin mixer - another material that acquires a beautiful patina over time.

If you are looking for a more minimalistic impression in the bathroom, you can advantageously minimize the number of materials and colors and choose a type of marble with a calmer marbling. You may want to dress the entire bathroom entirely in one and the same stone, or you may limit the stone to the floor and go with a wet room color in a neutral color.

Few combinations are as beautiful as when you mix different natural materials, and this also applies when combining natural stone. Mixing limestone and marble is usually something of a forbidden thought for many who are on the threshold of a renovation. But, instead of pitting them against each other, combine them and get the best of both worlds. Its contrasting feel can create incredibly beautiful results when put together in a harmonious way. A combination we like is Ekeberg marble with black Jämtland limestone. The dramatic, black marbling of the limestone, together with the sober, light color of the marble, gives a fantastically beautiful, graphic impression. Regardless of whether the style is elegant, classic, or country - mixing natural stone works regardless. The right stone, the right mix, and the right place make a good combination, and the combinations are endless.

Focus on details

To really get that wow effect in a bathroom, you should focus on the details. The fall against the floor drain in the shower is one such example. Using line drains is a smart way to be able to use the same size tiles on both walls and floors. Here you can finally match the finish of the steel with the mixer and other steel details (chrome, brass, brushed steel, and so on). There are also models where you can use natural stone as a cover. Its details contribute to the solid and undisturbed feeling.

Another nice (and practical) detail is to incorporate a shelf into the wall, a so-called niche. In this way, you get a storage surface for shampoo and soap in a harmonious and stylish way while giving the room another dimension.

Patina is not an enemy

Natural stone is a durable, genuine, and timeless material. Just like other natural materials, stone changes over time; it is inevitable. Patina is not an enemy but a natural consequence of use that contributes to the feel of a bathroom or home. It gives the impression of a warmer and more cozy feeling in the home. The surroundings in the rooms will be calm and pleasant. Compare that to how beautiful an old piece of furniture or a leather bag can become thanks to its patina.

A durable material

Marble contains no chemicals, dyes, or additives, and compared to ceramics, its production is very energy-efficient and often takes place on green electricity and renewable energy sources. Now, in times when you want to be extra frugal with electricity, it can be nice to know that the marble stores heat efficiently and distributes it evenly. In this way, you can advantageously have the underfloor heating on for a shorter time while enjoying a warm floor for a long time.

This is how you keep marble clean and nice

There are four things to consider:

1. During installation. Use adhesive and grout that is adapted to the natural stone. We recommend Ardex X32 and Ardex G10. The grouts are color-matched to the stones to go tone-on-tone.

2. Always use a strainer that is acid-resistant. The fact that it is acid-resistant simply means that the sieve does not release acid that damages the natural stone.

3. After grouting, clean the stone thoroughly with Fila PS87 coarse cleaner. Then treat the stone with a suitable impregnation, we recommend Fila MP90 Eco Xtreme. It makes it easier to clean the stone and protects against oil and make-up that can otherwise cause stains.

4. Rinse the shower area from soap and shampoo residues every time you shower (to avoid damage around the floor drain). Use All-Cleaning Fila Cleaner when cleaning. Gentle on the environment and your stone.

We hope this has made you somewhat wiser in your choice of material, and inspired. Good luck with your bathroom! If you want material samples of our marble varieties, you can order them here.

Publicerad September 04, 2023