Soapstone counters is an excellent choice to use in your kitchen. It’s smooth like soap, looks amazing and is pretty durable. This stone has been around forever and has been used by people for thousands of years. It’s definitely not a new stone, but it is seeing an uptick in popularity and for good reason – it is resistant to heat. This is a big plus for folks who like to cook and bake a lot. No worries about placing your hot pans and pots on the surface.
You also don’t have to fret about people not using a coaster for their wine glasses, since it’s also resistant to stains. So never fear getting splashes of red wine on your counter. It’s the perfect stone for your home, but matching it with a backsplash isn’t always simple. Soapstone normally comes in greenish-gray colors, which turn into darker gray over time. In some instances, they appear to turn black with white-like veins.
The popularity of soapstone began in the 1800s and has carried over until today, due to its durability and affordability. If you’re renovating a historical home, soapstone would make a great addition. This includes structures like farmhouses, Prarie-style and Victorian-era homes. It also works inside of homes with modern and contemporary designs.
If you’re getting ready to add backsplashes into your home and have soapstone to match with, then continue reading!
Don’t Use a Backsplash
Sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing at all. If you want a clean farmhouse look, then you can just have the soapstone installed and nothing else. It’s a simple design and is actually what many people are doing anyway. You can make up for the lackluster design by using soapstone for your sink. However, if you’re committed to putting something along the wall to protect against splashes, then here are some other ideas.
Use Soapstone
This too is a popular option among homeowners. Those who really like soapstone won’t mind using it for the backsplash also. Having the dark stone and vein patterns on the walls can give your kitchen a nice added touch. You don’t have to put it everywhere either, just along the wall of the cooktop area would do just fine. Just keep in mind that the color of soapstone varies, so you’ll have to do a bit of matching to get the colors exact. Only other option would be to install the backsplash and countertops at the same time, so that they’re cut from the same slab.
Add Butt Boards
If you decide to go with the soapstone backsplashes, then you can add to the design with butt boards. This is nothing more than planks you hang on the wall horizontally to be used as shelves. This would work well in a kitchen with a cottage or farmhouse design. You can run the boards along the wall or have them in an L shape in the corner of your kitchen.
Consider Paneling
You can find this being done in Laguna Beach cottages and other home designs. It adds continuity to the home and coordinates well with the soapstone counters and backsplash. If you have a traditional kitchen design, you can add dish grooves near the sink for functionality and style.
Try Out Beadboards
On the other hand, if your home is more on the eclectic side, such as with a farmhouse or cottage design, then this would be a good option for you. Beadboards are nothing more than milled panels that have routed parallel grooves. In the past, these were created using tongue and groove planks, but today they use cellular PVC or large wood shoots for cost effectiveness and quicker installation. It will give your home a cottage and farmhouse feel. They are normally placed on walls for wainscoting and sometimes used for furniture, cabinets and ceilings.
Install Reclaimed Wood
This can add a rustic look to your home. It has a rough-hewn, aged look that looks so well with soapstone. You can really bring out the colors using a limited palette and lots of white. The textures of the reclaimed wood and the soapstone will bring out the best in your kitchen design. You can use reclaimed wood in other areas as well, such as floors, cabinets and island accents. The best hues come from wood cut from older trees, but much of the wood used today comes from younger trees, which are less dense and lighter. The patina from reclaimed wood is beautiful and worth considering.
Opt for Subway Tile
You’ll find many of the earlier 20th century homes using subway tile in the home. This is when it was first created and used in home décor. It looks great with soapstone, especially in homes with Craftsman, Arts and Crafts and Victorian-era style homes. You can find subway tile that is handmade and very flat. Subway tile can be implemented into your kitchen in a variety of ways. Some are made with crackled glazes, giving it an aged appearance. Another option would be to go with crisp white porcelain for a more modern look. If you want extra dimensions and shadows, you can used beveled subway tiles. Another area you can play around with is the grout color. You can color it a gray tone to match your soapstone counters.
Carrara Marble Stone
This style of marble is all white with gray vein patterns. It’s the perfect contrast for soapstone’s dark color. It will create a yin and yang affect that can bring out the beauty in your kitchen design. You can complement the dark and light colors with more dark and light shades for your walls and floors. Marble stone comes in a variety of tile sizes or you can get an entire slab for a smooth look.
Mix Up the Finishes
You can do a combination of finishes for your tile, including glass and opalescent varieties. You can also use different sizes, colors and materials to give your kitchen a unique look.
Arts and Crafts Tile
This too can be a beautiful match for your soapstone counters. You’ll find this being used instide of Mission-style and Prairie-design homes.
There are many different ways you can make soapstone work in your kitchen. Consider these ideas to see if they would work for your home!