How to Create a Rough Stone Kitchen Backsplash or Accent Wall

If you’re thinking of installing a stone backsplash in your own kitchen, we’ve gathered some beautiful examples for inspiration, as well as some stone design and maintenance contents. Come and add an earthy atmosphere to your kitchen!

Stone and Kitchen Style

First, let’s consider the stone backsplash and trim from an aesthetic point of view.

Their organic look and neutral tones complement a variety of cabinet styles and colours, and the natural variation of real stone means that no two installations look the same. But does stone fit your kitchen or home style? Lisa Furey of Lisa Furey Interiors, who designed this 362-square-foot (34-square-meter) kitchen in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, features a stone-finished backsplash, and she recommends checking out the home’s surroundings.

“Depending on the style of the house, I think the stone is best suited for a mountain-style, country-style house [or] farmhouse-type house – anywhere where stone is naturally present, especially if it is also used on the exterior of the house,” she said.

But if you’re more modern than mountainous, don’t despair. “I also like a very modern home that contrasts with flat, clean cabinetry,” Faure said.

Stone

There are many types of stone to choose from, each with advantages and disadvantages.

One type of rough-faced (as opposed to polished) stone finishing material that is often used in newly built high-end homes is a natural stone finish, which can be a full-depth stone or, more commonly, cheaper, thin-cut real stone, attached to a structural wall.

House of L’s Libby Palmieri collaborated with Steve Schill of Schill Architecture to design the 810-square-foot (75-square-meter) Ohio kitchen. The kitchen features Ohio natural limestone finishes and robin egg blue cabinetry.

Palmilli’s clients wanted the home to have a timeless feel, to be part of the landscape – as if it had been “discovered” and renewed from a bygone era. “Stone seems to bring this idea together,” she says. The stonemasons in charge of the project sealed the stone and installed it with white cement grout.

Another commonly used material is an artificial stone finish, which usually consists of cement, aggregates, and pigments and is molded to resemble real stone. This finish is lighter, cheaper, and easier to install, but it has fewer natural variations than real stone.

Another option that is often more economical and suitable for installation is tiles with raised imprints that resemble the texture of stone, such as Lawless Design’s designer Hannah Oravec’s 400-square-foot (37 sq m) Boston-area kitchen.

Olavic says the tiles are easier for contractors to use than actual stone or stone veneers. At least in the photo, it is very similar to the rough.

Installation

For contractors, the installation of tiles is relatively simple (as long as the relief of the pattern is not extreme). But the stone is a completely different animal.

Real stone – especially full-depth stone or extra-thick finishes – is very heavy and often requires a lot of structural support.

“Make sure you hire someone who is skilled in installing the stone,” Faure said. “Probably not a tiler.”

Cosan Studio’s architect Scott Carson worked with Bouton and Foley’s interior designers Barb Foley and Kim Bouton to design the 285-square-foot (26-square-meter) kitchen. The backdrop of the kitchen is 6 inches thick natural Texas limestone with grout material and sealed with matte clear sealant. “Just like a house was built a long time ago, the same materials are repeated throughout the interior and exterior of the house,” Carson said.

His recommendations for the installation also included other kitchen elements. “It’s very important to consider the thickness of the stone, and it’s important to take that into account during the design process,” he says. Because of this, it is very difficult to add stone to the existing space,” he said. “If you’re using full-depth real stone, the stone needs to be laid on the floor behind the cabinets because of the weight,” he says. If you’re using cut natural stone veneers, which are typically 2 inches thick, then you’ll need to consider the extra 2 inches. Otherwise, you’ll lose 2 inches of countertop depth when it lands on the countertop, which could create problems with sinks and cooktops not mounting.

The irregularities of the stone surface can also affect other kitchen elements.

Palmieri says make sure all the craftsmen know you’re going to install the stone. “[The stone] adds depth to the cabinets, and cabinet makers and electricians need to take that into account because the electrical box and its depth are also an issue,” she said.

Furey adds: “Consider the impact of stone on window coverings, appliance placement, and countertop formwork. The same goes for wall-mounted lighting.

KTG Design’s Katie Geresy warns that the extra depth can even affect the kitchen’s walkway space.

Choose the Stone

Whichever type you choose, “choose stone that feels natural and avoids textures that feel artificial and artificial,” says Palmieri.

If you’re going to work with natural stone, “go to the stone yard and see the actual sample – don’t choose from the photos,” Furey says. You can also match or pull from the stones on the exterior of the house. In most, if not all, of the projects shown here, the stone used in the kitchen is used elsewhere inside or outside the house – or both.

The Combination of Cabinets and Countertops

Once you’ve chosen your stone, The Ranch Mine’s lead architect, Cavin Costello, has some suggestions for making your tailgate sparkle.

“Because the texture and size of the stone backsplash varies, I think a simple engineered quartz countertop or something that doesn’t move around a lot is a good option,” he says. “As for the cabinets, we like the combination of natural wood and natural stone to create an organic feel.”

This 170-square-foot (16-square-meter) kitchen in Flagstaff, Arizona, was designed by The Ranch Mine and features a backsplash made of Texas cream limestone with a 2:1 mix of bone and snow-white cement slurry. They used the same stone for the fireplace in their home.

“Limestone brings a wonderful natural element to the interior and pairs perfectly with white oak cabinetry and concrete floors,” Costello said.

Painted cabinets can also complement stone walls. This kitchen is a combination of delicate celadon green cabinetry, white countertops, light wood accents, and beige stone walls that are soft and contemporary.

Palmieri designed the second kitchen (with robin’s egg-blue cabinetry) and he saw stone as a neutral character. “The rustic nature of the stone goes perfectly with any color palette,” she says. Laura Yeager Smith of Laura Yeager Smith Home & Design agrees, adding,”The general rule is to pair warm stone with warm colors and cool stone with cool colors. As for countertop finishes, Furey says she would choose polishing over polishing.

Cost

Building materials, design, and labor vary by region and project, making it nearly impossible to provide reliable estimates. But to give you an approximate range of materials, Carson from Arizona says, “The cost of actual stone is similar to that of high-end solid granite, marble or quartz.” ”

Palmieri of Ohio offers this insight: “In general, stone veneers or bricks are more expensive than tiles (depending on the style and manufacturer, of course). Stone and porcelain materials, including fittings, tend to cost upwards of $60 per square foot and can go up to $200 per square foot for mid-range materials.”

Protect the Stone

Natural stone is porous, so sealing it can help avoid stains, cloudiness from cement slurry, and possible bacterial growth. It should then be resealed periodically as recommended by the manufacturer. (The professionals we spoke to suggested once a year, or even every few years.)

Yeager Smith designed the 324-square-foot (30 sq m) Ohio kitchen shown here, with natural stone and gray mortar and no sealant. But like several other items presented in this article, the furnace backsplash is made of a solid material that is easier to clean.

“I don’t recommend specifying natural stone with a rough surface behind the stove because the stone is porous and grease will splash,” says Yeager Smith. “It’s harder to clean than a smooth polished stone, and it absorbs oil, which can change color over time.”

Another option is to seal the stone behind the range and leave the rest unsealed. That’s how Geresy designed a 320-square-foot (30-square-meter) kitchen near Lake Tahoe, California. The walls are made of Sierra granite, which is a natural material of the region.

If you want a little more protection, but want to keep your kitchen rustic, take inspiration from the seven photos from the Cosan Studio project. The backsplash of the stove has an antique fireproof board integrated into the stone.

Cleaning of Stone and Grout

Now to answer the question that all of us tidyers have been asking. How do you clean a rough stone backsplash without damaging the sealant or stone?

It’s not as easy as cleaning the tiles, but it can be done, Furey says. “You can wash the grouts and stones with a small brush with soft bristles, a mild degreasing detergent and hot water,” she says. “Be sure to rinse thoroughly with a clean cloth and water to avoid residual soap.” Splashes should be wiped off immediately.

What if you prefer to get dirty? “I don’t recommend using stones,” Furey says.

If you really want to install stone in your home, contact a masonry contractor, architect, or architectural or interior designer to help you choose the best material and application for you. Well, don’t hesitate.

“There are other materials that are lower maintenance or cost,” Costello said. “So if you use it, make sure it makes a big impact.”