Ülkü Karaburçak, Architect
Natural stone which was mostly used as a building material in the past centuries is expanding its dominance in the world of design with increasing usage areas in industrial products such as interior decorations, furniture and accessories nowadays. Thanks to its durability, aesthetic and hygienic advantages, natural stone has taken its place as the leading role in many wet areas from baths to saunas, from pools to healing water sources throughout history.
The bathrooms, which took their modern form with the change in social needs over time, have now turned into one of the most special places of our lives. In this period, where people’s interest in nature has increased especially with the pandemic, whose effects are intense on a global scale, bathroom designs that gain identity with natural stone are the rising trends of today.
It is possible to make very different and aesthetic designs with natural stones of various colors, textures and hardness in modern bathroom decorations. However, instead of paying attention to the selection of the stone in use, it is necessary to make choices in accordance with its physical and chemical properties. In this month’s Showcase, we have included modern bathroom designs shaped with natural stone, the tricks of choosing stone in decoration, the types of natural stones and the advantages of their use.
Natural Stone Types
Although almost every type of natural stone can be used safely in wet areas like bathrooms, thanks to its advantages such as moisture resistance, easy cleaning and leakproofness. You can choose the most suitable natural stone for your design preferences and lifestyle on different surfaces.
Known for its beauty and elegance and being a popular choice for bathrooms for centuries, marble is a versatile material that is also used in furniture such as shower enclosures, walls, floors, counters and bathroom cabinets. With its different color options and solid structure, it offers a clean and timeless look in the areas where it is used.
Granite, one of the hardest stones known to man, is another natural stone type that is frequently preferred in bathrooms due to its durability and ease of maintenance. Granite, which is quite durable, also offers a wide range of uses from wall coverings to special objects with its different color options in its veins.
Slate stone, which has rich color transitions thanks to the wide variety of minerals it contains, creates a deep contrast in bathrooms. It is mostly preferred on floors thanks to its wear-resistant structure and texture that reduces the risk of slipping.
Travertine, which prevents moisture and bacterial growth thanks to its perforated structure and chemical properties, is frequently used in countertops, showers, bathtubs and floors. With the different color tones it offers, it is easy to create customized looks for various styles.
Quartzite, which has gained popularity with its low-maintenance structure, clean and modern appearance, has heat-resistant and stain-proof properties. Having a physical appearance similar to marble, quartzite adapts to every design style with its various color and pattern options.
Tips for Using Natural Stone in Bathrooms
Although mold, which is one of the main factors that can be a problem in wet areas, creates hesitations about material selection, mold can be easily prevented in bathrooms where natural stone is used, by using insulation to drain water and choosing polished natural stones. In addition, good ventilation greatly helps prevent the problem of mold, as it will allow the surfaces to dry quickly. In terms of providing non-slip, surface treatments such as sandblasted, brushed or honed can be applied to natural stones, depending on the area of use and purpose.
Advantages of Natural Stone
Aesthetics: One of the most impressive features of the natural stone, which gives an elegant and prestigious look to the spaces, is that it contains the traces of the formation process. In addition to offering different looks with its endless variety of colors and textures, it can be easily combined with many other materials.
Hygienic: Stone, which is a natural material, does not contain any substances harmful to health. In addition, thanks to its antibacterial and heat-absorbing structure, it can be easily preferred in wet areas, especially in areas requiring hygiene such as shower trays and sinks.
Long-lasting: Since the natural stone, which has a history of thousands of years, is highly resistant to abrasion and pressure, it does not deteriorate over time. It preserves its technical features and aesthetics for a lifetime, thanks to its being one of the basic elements of nature and its easily cleanable structure.
Economic: Natural stone, which is almost ready in nature, is removed from the quarry in large blocks and can be cut to the desired dimensions. In this way, in addition to the economic advantage of being able to determine the size and form according to the needs, the cost required for both obtaining, cleaning and protecting natural stone is lower than artificial materials.
Zekeriyaköy Evi- escapefromsofa
Project No 3-Work of Arch
Vural Evi- Pimodek Mimarlık
Vural Evi- Pimodek Mimarlık
Karaburunda Ev-Ofisvesaire
E1 Evi-Mimark
B Evi- Elips Tasarım Mimarlık