Statement Stone Is What All of Our Homes Need, Here's How to Get the Look

Statement stone has been around and used in interior design for a while now, even if you haven't been able to identify it by name. "Statement stone is a natural stone that takes center stage of the design," explains Brittany Ferguson, owner and lead designer at Brittany Ferguson Interiors, adding that statement stone may be a bold color or feature prominent veining.

If you're curious about the types of statement stones that exist, how to best incorporate them into any room of your home, and what common mistakes to avoid when working with statement stones, you'll want to keep reading for key tips from interior designers.

• Brittany Ferguson is the owner and lead designer at Brittany Ferguson Interiors.

• Helena Brana is the founder of Brana Designs.

• Noel Gatts is the owner and principal designer at Beam & Bloom. She is also now a designer and host on HGTV.

What Kinds of Statement Stone Exist?

Wondering what exactly constitutes a statement stone? "Statement stones are typically quartzite and marbles," says Helena Brana, who is the founder of Brana Designs. "These natural stones are used to elevate a space and create something distinguished, memorable, and special," she says. "These can be used as accents on furniture or whole slabs that can be the focal point of a room itself."

Ferguson is partial to marble in particular due to "its range of colors and veining." She adds, "I can’t see marble ever going out of style!" Brana particularly loves black oyster quartzite. "It is very unique and a hard to find stone from Italy," she says. "It is contemporary and clean but has a very unique veining in cream, beige, gray, and even pink tones."

How to Add Statement Stone to Your Home

Statement stone can shine in a number of ways throughout the home. It can be incorporated into a kitchen island, the bathroom—whether as a shower tile, backsplash, or countertop material. It's also commonly used as part of the fireplace design, and much more.

5 Tips to Keep in Mind When Designing With Statement Stone

When designing with statement stone, you want to make sure it either stands out by itself or blends in well with the rest of your interior space. Depending on what you want kind of look you want to achieve, designers let us in their best tips to keep in mind when designing with statement stone.

Make It Intentional

You'll want to think about the message you wish to send with statement stone before introducing it into your home. As Brana says, "what impression are you wanting to create, is it wow and striking or zen and muted?" Considering the color that speaks to you—as well as how long you plan to live in your home and enjoy the space—is therefore key.

"If you're a brave and vibrant soul who plans to stay put for a while, go for that dynamic blue agate or pink onyx accent wall," says Noel Gatts of Beam & Bloom. "But, if you know you'll outgrow it, try a pretty remnant piece as a tray or accent table top instead, and stick with more subtle tones that can work with a wide variety of styles."

Consider Future Plans

If you plan to move soon, think about the resale value of your home, Gatts adds. "Be cautious about investing in a large swathe of stone with too limiting a color or too trendy a cut," she says. "For example, bookended or mirror image slabs are lovely, but can create a very dramatic symmetry that might push the envelope for some." The best tactic? "Utilize the stone in a way that amplifies its natural movement and versatility," states Gatts. "It's ideal for universal and timeless appeal."

Think About Costs

You'll also want to consider cost when deciding whether or not to add statement stone to your home. "Fabrication and installation fees are a high percentage of the cost and must be factored in," says Gatts.

However, there are some clever ways to cut costs. "A great way to save a bit of money is to search your local fabricator's stone yard for remnant pieces," explains Gatts. "Especially for smaller areas like bars or fireplaces, you can often find an exquisite and expensive stone for a fraction of the cost."

And on that note, keep in mind that there are a variety of ways to add statement stone within your home without going overboard in scale—or with your budget. "If you want to use a statement stone but aren’t ready to go floor to ceiling, consider using it in a powder bath on a floating vanity, shower walls, or a fireplace hearth," says Ferguson. "I also love a honed statement stone," she adds. "Sometimes the muted finish is the statement."

Be Practical

Be mindful, so don't try to place statement stone in a room where it will interfere with daily lifestyle habits. "Statement stone is always a yes, but consider its location first," says Ferguson. "Using a classic white Italian marble may not be the best choice for an active kitchen." Rather, in a scenario like this one, Ferguson advises using quartzite. "While it’s not as durable as granite, it will hold up better than marble," she says.

Gatts expresses similar sentiments. "Durability is key depending on the anticipated function of your stone," she notes. "You don't want a product that's easily stained in your heavily used kitchen or by your sooty fireplace," explains Gatts. It's important to know that quartzite and granite are "practically indestructible to heat and damage," according to Gatts.

Depending on where you'll use your stone, you may want to take heat resistance into account, too. "You want to be sure there is a high heat resistance to any stone that you apply near an oven range, stovetop, or fireplace," says Gatts. "But, some of us who really appreciate a patina might be comfortable using a softer marble in a kitchen as long as they frequently clean and don't mind nicks and scratches."

Balance It Out

Additionally, there is such a thing as too much statement stone. "Balance is everything," says Brana. "We want to make sure that we have the right volume and aesthetic that fits the home," she says. "Avoid using too many bold or striking statement stones throughout the home, otherwise the place will look overdone and it will never bring the 'wow effect' many people thought it will create initially.'" It turns out that moderation is the name of the game here.