There’s no denying that marble is one of the most luxurious natural stones cut from the earth. “There’s nothing that looks quite like marble, the layers, tones, and veining are very organic, with a unique flowing movement,” says Normandy Designer Abby Osborn. “But since it’s very porous, it’s extremely susceptible to damage, making a marble kitchen countertop something worthy of serious consideration before taking the plunge.” If your heart is set on marble countertops, we spoke with Abby about what to know before taking the leap.

Reasons Why You Might Not Want Marble Countertops

Not only does marble stain easily, but stains are not easy to get out. Coffee and wine rings can become permanent, especially on lighter varieties. Best practices for cleaning marble are to use a gentle soap and water, getting at stains quickly so that they don’t set. For marble waterfall islands, avoid harsh cleaners on the floor that could splash onto the marble and cause damage.

Marble is also vulnerable not only to scratching, but etching, which is when something acidic eats away chemically at the surface. “Anything acidic, from lemon juice and tomatoes to wine and vinegar, can cause shallow cavities in your surface,” Abby says. “If you’re going to commit to marble in heavy use areas, you must be okay with a ‘living finish’ — one that changes over time. It won’t take long for it to show wear.”

Temperature fluctuations are also something to watch with a marble countertop, and you should avoid placing hot pots and pans directly on the surface. Marble, like most natural stone, is ideal for tasks like prepping pastry dough because it keeps the dough cool. But it’s cool temp and delicacy, paired with a hot heavy pot can cause thermal shock that will lead to cracking. Use trivets often. And be sure to hire a fabricator who is used to working with specialty stone like this, as marble is a very soft stone,” Abby advises.

If You Must Have a Marble Kitchen Countertop or Marble Backsplash

If you’re set on having marble in your kitchen, it would be wise to keep it out of heavy work zones. “More decorative areas, like the backsplash behind floating shelves is ideal,” Abby says. “Avoid placing it near the sink as minerals in the water can degrade the finish. Avoid proximity to the range too, it won’t mesh well with pasta sauce splatter.”

For the busier areas of the kitchen, pair your marble elements with a manmade countertop material like quartz or porcelain — for instance placing this on the perimeter, if you’ve chosen a marble kitchen island. “You don’t want your complementary countertop to compete with marble’s natural beauty though, so choose one that has little to no design pattern,” Abby notes.

If all this has you reconsidering a marble countertop for your kitchen, but you truly love the look of natural stone, consider marble’s more durable cousins, like granite or quartzite. “Quartzite has many of the same visual properties as marble, but is more dense and less vulnerable to damage,” Abby says.

Your new kitchen should be a source of joy, no matter the countertop you select. “It’s important to understand the pros and cons of your options, so you can make the choice that suits you best,” notes Abby. “Marble does require some special consideration and upkeep — but most nice things do.”

Is it time to revamp your kitchen and adjoining spaces? You can schedule a free consultation with Abby. Sign up for our newsletter for more inspiration.