Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Royal Stone Care
If you’re revamping your kitchen, one of the key decisions is likely to be what kind of kitchen countertop to have.
One increasingly popular material you may not have considered is travertine. This is a kind of limestone deposited by natural springs. Like marble, it is a natural stone, and can lend your kitchen (and bathroom, come to that) countertops a naturally polished, shiny appearance.
If you’re not familiar with exactly what it is, travertine is a form of limestone created by deposits of calcium carbonate in or close to limestone caves or hot springs. And it’s long been used in architecture – after all, the Colosseum in Rome was built almost entirely in this stone.
So it’s an elegant, long-lasting material that looks perfect in modern properties where it’s used in countertops as well as backsplashes, bathrooms, fireplaces and more.
It has a naturally weathered look, and suits both formal and more relaxed settings.
So it’s a chic choice, giving your home an instantly luxurious look.
Feel the benefits
Here are some other reasons for choosing travertine for your home:
- As a natural stone, it is available in various colours and tones, to suit your taste and current décor. You can also choose from polished, matte or brushed finishes. (A polished countertop reflects the natural light and looks especially good.)
- Travertine looks similar to marble or granite, while being significantly cheaper
- This material is extremely hardwearing and durable, and is also able to resist water and moisture. Handled with care, travertine does not crack easily and can stay looking pristine for years.
- The stone is also highly versatile, in that it can be easily replaced as and when necessary, and it’s also easy to cut and shape. That means you can easily achieve the design, shape and size you want.
Worth knowing…
Here are some things worth knowing before you decide to use this stone in a property:
- Travertine comes in a broad range of neutral colours – you won’t find dramatic veining or bold hues
- It comes typically in four different finishes, including polished, honed, brushed and tumbled. (The last one creates the most rustic, weathered look and is perhaps best suited to outdoor use.) Honed and tumbled finishes are less likely to show up scratches than polished stone.
- It’s incredibly durable and stands up well to heavy foot traffic while resisting extremes of temperature without cracking. However, it can scratch, or become damaged if you drop something heavy on it.
- It can stain and etch – Travertine is a porous stone, and so easily absorbs liquids including oils and grease. This can leave stains which may spoil the look of your stone. Some acidic substances, notably wine, citrus juices and coffee, can etch or eat away at the stone, which again leaves a mark.
You can help avoid damage by never dragging heavy furniture across a travertine floor, and by sweeping up any debris immediately.
However, the good news is that, despite the potential hazards, with the right care your travertine surfaces can stay looking good for decades.
While travertine is low maintenance, like anything else it needs regular care, and problems can crop up over time. Accidents happen, your stone can get knocked or otherwise damaged, and you may need to deal with spillages. Travertine will react to acidic liquids, such as lime or orange juice, even if spillages are quite small.
Equally, the natural pores that are part of its structure can deepen and become bigger with time.
So, now and then, it makes sense to use a professional stone cleaning and repair company, so your travertine countertops stay looking as good as they did the day they were fitted. These services are especially important when it comes to deep cleans and restoration work.
How we can help
At Royal Stone Care, we specialise in all natural stone care for countertops, and can take care of stone repair and cleaning, including travertine polishing and restoration. We have all the staff, equipment and expertise needed to do a perfect job. Whatever you need, wherever you’re based in or around London, we can help. Talk to us today and get your free quote.
