Marble and wood in the bathroom: ideas for interiors in different styles

Marble has been used in interiors since Ancient Greece. It still remains a relevant material, especially for the bathroom. The finishing made of marble gives the interior an original and sophisticated style. This material is universal and suitable for any stylistic decision, be it classic or modern style.

Bathroom design

Why do designers choose marble and wood?

It would seem that these two materials are incompatible with the microclimate of the bathroom. Their porous structure absorbs moisture - as a result, stains remain on marble walls, and wooden panels swell. This is a thing of the past.

Modern impregnations with water-repellent properties have solved the problem “the bathroom is not a place for Italian marble and wood.” At the same time, they further enhance the brightness of the shades, so designers feel free to use these materials in their projects. And not only for this reason. There are at least 3 reasons for their demand.

The lighting in the background sets off the marble countertop and dark wood well

Modern "parquet"

The VISTA collection in 42x42 format is a modern, lightweight imitation of parquet flooring in a warm beige shade. Porcelain tiles add coziness and warmth to any design: from classic to high-tech. The finishing material is difficult to distinguish from a wooden board because its surface is embossed, like natural fibers. Porcelain tiles are not afraid of chips and scratches, maintaining their original appearance for a long time even in high-traffic areas. The universal material can be used to decorate walls, including in cold and damp rooms.

Advantages of marble and wood

If in music the classics are the symphonies of Mozart or Bach, then in design they are marble and wood. Fashion has no power over them.
The unique texture of these materials allows you to create interiors with individual characteristics. Even two blocks of stone from the same quarry will have different patterns. This also applies to wood.
Marble and wood are environmentally friendly. There is some basis for the belief that rocks are radioactive. But we must remember that the level of radiation contamination is determined at the site of stone extraction. Once the numbers exceed the permissible limit, the block will remain in the quarry.

Marble in the bathroom goes harmoniously with wood of any shade

How to choose tiles that will not wear off?

The abrasion resistance class of the tiles in question is indicated in PEI values on a scale from 1 to 5. Due to their low strength, tiles with values 1 and 2 are more suitable for walls than floors. Therefore, it is better to use the material noted above 3.

PEI 3 will be suitable for the bedroom and living room. PEI 4 tiles are ideal for higher traffic interiors such as kitchens and hallways. The highest class (PEI 5) can be used in any interior, as well as in public places.

Disadvantages of marble and wood in the bathroom

Marble has a medium density. Therefore, if the stone is processed unprofessionally, chips may appear along the edge of the slab.
The polished surface of marble is slippery. Therefore, you definitely need a rug next to the bathroom.
Exotic woods change color over time. This is worth considering if redevelopment is planned in the future. The place where the cabinet or sofa stood may be lighter.

Despite its shortcomings, architects and designers say yes to marble. Let's discuss the variety of colors of this rock and at the same time see how it combines with wood.

Bold rock'n'roll

WOODSTORY porcelain tiles in the 42x42 format are made in two colors: cold white and a combination of four shades of brown. The collection imitates narrow boards and the texture of natural wood. By combining and combining options, it is easy to zone the space, place accents and play up functional areas. White, slightly aged wood will help visually expand the room and fill it with warmth and comfort. Multicolor porcelain tiles are suitable for bold and stylish solutions. The material can be laid in different ways, this will only emphasize the naturalism of the wood texture.

What style of bathroom is marble suitable for?

Marble is a classic. Therefore, it seems that Mediterranean natural stone is combined only with elegant multi-tiered chandeliers, sophisticated retro furniture and oil paintings. Compatible, but not limited to.

It's worth thinking about . The combination of marble of different shades looks beautiful in the bathroom interior.

Lovers of hi-tech, minimalism or eclecticism can also appreciate the beauty of dazzling white Italian marble. After all, it’s worth surrounding it with a rectangular-shaped cabinet with a dark wood facade, an elongated floor lamp in the form of a pipe and a sofa on a metal frame to understand: this material looks harmonious in any style.

White marble and wood in a modern bathroom

Important! An active pattern, in which veins and inclusions are clearly expressed, is more suitable for modern styles. But with one caveat: there should be no accent details around. If the interior contains bright elements, they must be balanced so that the space does not seem difficult to perceive.

Artificial or natural

Natural material is durable, high quality, aesthetically pleasing, but has a high price. Manufacturers have developed technologies for producing artificial analogues of stone for finishing premises and architectural compositions.

Materials made from artificial raw materials are classified according to their manufacturing method:

to flexible;
for injection molding;
to oselkovye.

Molding material refers to composite raw materials, which consists of polyester resins, fillers made of crushed quartz, marble and other stones. The composition is optimal for creating sinks, countertops, balusters, sculptural compositions, and window sills.

Oselkovy marble belongs to a subtype of plaster for interior decoration, supplied in the form of a gypsum composition (white or tinted). The material is a liquid raw material with an adhesive base and is poured into a matrix form or applied with a spatula to the wall surface.

Flexible marble is produced in the form of decorative panels. The basis of the raw material is a block of plastic polymer. The outside of the slab is covered with a layer (up to 3 mm) of crushed marble chips, coloring pigments, and epoxy resin.

Types and shades of marble

A clean, bright, shiny stone - this is what the ancient Greeks understood by the word “marble”. And this is justified. It is not for nothing that Carrara marble from Italy, white with barely noticeable gray veins, is considered one of the most sought after. Plain light slabs are valued all over the world, but designers are not limited to them.

In Argentina, a rare blue variety is mined, in Spain - black with white veins "Nero Marquina", in Italy and Greece - gray and dark green, in Russia - yellow, lilac-pink and others.

The color of the breed can be very different: from calm beige to bright orange. Interspersed with various minerals play a role in the design. Thanks to them, the stone acquires a layered texture and surprises with a unique pattern of veins and spots of various tones.

In order for the design to show itself in all its glory, the marble is polished. The glare on its surface creates a feeling of coldness. This is the peculiarity of natural stone. But this is precisely what makes it possible to combine marble with warm wood.

Bathroom projects in which different shades of marble were used:

Sparrow's house. Children's bathroom and black marble finishing;
Chistoprudny Boulevard. Combination of white and beige marble in the bathroom;
Trouvel. Bathroom in blue marble

Marble walls

When decorating a marble bathroom, keep in mind that the shade of the walls will set the main background of the room. Therefore, it is necessary to think through the design of furniture and plumbing fixtures in advance in order to emphasize their advantages. Light walls will harmoniously expand a small space, and dark colors will add solidity to the interior and enhance the shine of metal objects.

Modern design of a combined bathroom Source www.ivd.ru

Before laying tiles, you need to prepare the surface. It should be perfectly smooth and clean. The main stages of preparatory work include cleaning, leveling and priming. Almost any place is suitable for fixing tiles. It is important to consider that marble has significant weight, so some surfaces require hardening. For example, drywall must be reinforced with a special reinforcing mesh.

What can be done from marble in the bathroom?

This material, beloved by architects and designers, is used for decoration, decor and furniture. The floor and walls are usually decorated with slabs, the maximum size of which reaches 3x2 m. Thanks to this, there are practically no seams: it seems that the marble slabs for the interior were cut from a huge rock.

Green marble tiles around the mirror create the feeling that the bathroom continues behind the sink

Interesting point . Marble has one special feature. When a block is sawed into slabs, the latter turn out to be similar in design. They seem to mirror each other. Designers take advantage of this by creating eye-catching patterns. If two slabs are mirror-joined, then such a pattern is called a “butterfly”; four slabs give a different effect depending on their location.

Antique columns, round flowerpots in the same style, sinks, countertops, mosaics - these interior details are also made of marble. To make the furniture match the decoration, part of the door can be made of a thin marble slab.

Stylish white

Like a haze, gray stains stand out voluminously against a white background. This is a drawing of the basic porcelain tile from the SIENA collection in 42x42 format, imitating gray marble. The decor is made on relief in a 20x20 format, and its beautiful pattern is a skillful imitation of wood inlay into marble. Both separately and together, both finishing material options will decorate the kitchen, bathroom or hallway, as well as the living room and balcony. Porcelain tiles with a soft satin surface are pleasant to the touch. It is suitable for both floor finishing and wall mounting.

What can be made of wood in the bathroom

There are no restrictions here either. Laying the floor with boards made of Karelian birch or Siberian cedar, decorating the walls with narrow wooden panels, creating a frame for a wall-high mirror or a podium for a bathtub are just a few of the possibilities of this material.

Black marble tiles harmoniously combine with dark wood in the bathroom interior

Wood is used to make furniture that is functional and matches the style of the bathroom. If we talk about neoclassicism, then a column cabinet can be decorated with moldings and various decorative elements in the form of floral patterns. The legs of a stool, sofa or cabinet will be curved, and the handles of the drawers will follow their graceful lines, reminiscent of vintage furniture.

But the designers don’t stop there either. A wooden freestanding bathtub is an option for a modern-style room. It will be complemented by straight lines of cabinets and vanity units.

Selection of finishing materials for the bathroom

The larger the bathroom space, the fewer restrictions there are in the selection of materials. In a large space, it is appropriate to use dark shades, without fear that they will visually narrow the room.

A design is possible in which dark and light colors are combined with each other: the top of the room can be decorated in pastel colors, and the bottom in dark or bright colors, or colors that imitate wood.

Before purchasing, you need to calculate the required amount of material. To do this, the main thing is to measure the bathroom around the perimeter.
It is necessary to measure the length and width of the room and multiply these indicators by each other.
You also need to find out the length and width of the future tile.
To find out the required amount of material, you need to divide the previously obtained figure by the length and width of the tile. These calculations will work for the floor.

To calculate the number of tiles on the walls, you need to find out their area, excluding the door, add up the calculated data and divide by the length and width of the tile.

Marble and wood in the bathroom: photos of interior designs

Designers experiment with both the proportions of materials and their color. And every time you get a different result.

Walls made of wood and marble

White marble with a calm pattern of graphite veins can be a suitable companion for a wall, for example, dark merbau. Contrasts are created not only by shades, but also by gloss. Depending on which material to use more, designers play with the atmosphere of the bathroom. By adding more dark, you get a private space with a hint of brutality. A few touches in the form of a mirror in a simple wooden frame and laconic lamps continue this story.

The white marble wall in the interior of this bathroom made the room visually larger

If you give preference to white marble, the bath will be more airy and spacious. This is used when you need to make a small space visually larger.

Marble floor and wood walls

In this case, you can choose slabs with an active pattern. Such a floor will make the space more interesting, especially if the walls are decorated with wood with subtle veining. Furniture and a free-standing bathtub with a laconic shape will look beautiful against its background.

Thanks to the active pattern of the marble slab, the bathroom turned out to be more interesting to perceive

Completed projects with wood walls and marble floors:

Yalta. Bathroom with white floor and dark wood paneling;
Maly Levshinsky. Bathroom with a large round mirror on a wooden wall;
Krekshino 2. Bathroom with wooden edging of walls and marble floor

Marble walls, floors and wooden furniture

Neoclassicism favors the combination of marble and wood. Furniture made from expensive species will highlight the beauty of the marble floor. Framed cabinet doors, moldings and other decorative elements will continue the design concept. At the same time, white furniture will fit here.

On the one hand, a design in one color seems unnecessary. On the other hand, the bathroom becomes as bright and spacious as possible. Dark curtains, banquettes and lamps help to place accents and outline the boundaries of the room.

A dazzling white marble floor can be used as a backdrop for dark-colored textiles and furniture

Modern style is not inferior in laconicism and gives scope for design ideas. It is not necessary to make marble the main thing here. The material can act as a backdrop for a wall with a textured pattern, a designer bathtub, or a complex chandelier with many pendants. In this case, wooden furniture is also chosen with simple geometry. Even handles on the doors are not necessary: just one press of the palm of your hand on the front is enough to take a towel or robe.

Completed projects with wooden furniture and marble floors:

Baku. Classic bathroom;
Penthouse City. Guest bathroom with white marble floor;
Fantasy Island. Bathroom in a classic style;
Renaissance Park. Modern children's bathroom

Marble countertop and wood floor

Natural stone is in demand in the manufacture of countertops due to its durability and aesthetic beauty. Often the species taken for the countertop is also used for finishing the walls and floor. Thus, the interior acquires harmony.

In the interior of this bathroom, marble is used to zone the shower area and toilet.

Marble can be used as a background for the rest of the furniture or as an accent. In the latter case, the material is used minimally, for example, for zoning the shower area. This is especially true if the bathroom floor is completely covered with wood, and only a glass door separates the shower from the rest of the space.

Projects with marble countertops from our designers:

Baden Baden. Chest of drawers with marble top in the bathroom;
Zhedochi. Countertop and sink made of white marble with streaks;
Yalta. Dark marble countertop in a podium finish under the sink;
Renaissance Park. Cabinet with marble countertop in an outdoor bathroom

Marble is not the only material that can transform a bathroom. What other natural stones can be used, read our article “Stone in the bathroom interior: a natural gift for amazing design.”

Decoration

Wood-look materials are used as basic materials or as decoration for rooms of different styles.

To implement a country style project, imitation rough boards are used. Wood decor looks harmonious in ethnic styles (Japanese, African styles) and is combined with natural stone.

Suitable for decorating bathrooms with ceramic tiles in the eco-style and minimalist directions. The interior is complemented by wooden pieces of furniture treated with moisture-resistant impregnations, tiles with floral patterns, and plain tiles in green shades.

Solid wood panels with abraded effects, artificially created chips, and imitation cracks will complement bathroom interiors in retro and vintage styles.