Last Updated on October 26, 2026 by Royal Stone Care
Marble is one of the most sought-after materials on today’s market. Its gorgeous appearance gives it some serious clout. (This natural stone is also a popular bathroom choice.) But there are a few things you need to know before choosing these surfaces.
There are different finishes
You may think of marble as a purely polished stone, but other finishes are available. Honed marble doesn’t have this appearance. Instead, it’s ground stone, and has a more natural-looking, matte texture. It can stain more quickly. But you don’t have to worry so much about etching or marking from acid-based products.
There are now more ways than ever to finish marble, thanks to the myriad brushing and polishing techniques available with modern technology. For example, you could go for an orange-peel texture. A polished finish looks glossy, while honed looks matte. The latter can disguise etching better than polished marble.
So pick the finish you think would work best with what you need.
Why white marble works if you’re worried about stains
Marble comes in a veritable rainbow of different shades. However, for kitchen worktops in particular, white can prove an excellent colour choice. And that’s because etching leaves a mark of a similar hue, and so will be less likely to show up.
And white marble, specifically, due to the brilliance of its colour, remains in particular demand. If you go for a top-quality variety, such as Italian Carrara, you’ll enjoy features including relative non-porosity and density. So your stone will shrug off stains, plus you can look forward to a high level of durability.
How will the different pieces come together?
Clearly, the longer the piece of marble you can get with no seams, the better. Where this is not possible, consider matching two (or more) stone or marble surfaces, so that two adjacent surfaces mirror each other, and look like an opened book. (This called book-matching.)
Think about veining patterns
You can cut some types of marble two different ways so that you have unique veining patterns.
Beyond the curve: think about the edges of your worktop
Take your pick from many different edge profiles. A simple eased edge, for example, takes the sharpness off a pure 90-degree angle. Another perennial favourite is the ‘bull’s nose’ which has a half-circle shape. Also bear in mind that if you hit something hard on the marble at a sharp angle, your stone will chip. This is far less likely to happen on a curved profile.
Keen baker? Choose marble!
If you fancy yourself as a Great British Bake-Off contender, consider marble. After all, it’s naturally lovely and cool to the touch. So it will stop your dough from getting too warm. No wonder so many old-style French boulangeries have marble worktops!
Over time, it develops a patina
Over time, your marble will change, since it has a ‘living’ finish. This can actually add to this stone’s aesthetic appeal. It may even make it look more interesting, as though your worktop has a history. It can also be proof that you love it. However, if you want an unchanging, pristine stone that doesn’t change over the years, you may be better off with something like an engineered quartz countertop.
It can enhance your home’s value
As a status material, marble can help increase the value of your property. So, while it’s definitely not cheap, it will be worth it. The other bonus, of course, is that marble countertops have a timeless appearance. It’s not about to go out of fashion anytime soon.
Cleaning is easier than you think
A damp cloth (preferably microfibre) and hot water plus some dish soap are all you need. Any cleaners based on bleach, lemon or vinegars can cause etching, since acid is the enemy. You actually don’t need any special products. However, if in any doubt, call in the marble cleaning experts.
As a porous material, marble can stain
Marble is of course a natural stone. So it readily absorbs spills, drips and food pigment if these are allowed to remain on the surface too long. Equally, it doesn’t like excessive heat. Make sure you never place hot pans or dishes straight on your worktop.
There can be issues, as we have discussed previously, including marble’s tendency to etch, or develop dull marks where, for example, an acidic liquid has eaten away at the surface. And this can happen even if you have sealed your stone.
Here to help
Royal Stone Care are marble cleaning specialists in London. We’re expert in marble polishing, restoration and marble chip repair. Talk to us before you talk to anyone else.
