Natural stone can be used in a wide variety of ways inside your home. Modern designers are incorporating marble into almost every room. You no longer have to limit your use of stone to the kitchen and bathroom. Natural stone makes a great fireplace surround, flooring option, and even captivating feature wall material.

In order to ensure that the natural stone you select for your home gives you the look you are going for, you must pay close attention to the way the stone will be finished.

Many finishing options are available for use on natural stone. The finish you select can have a significant impact on the appearance and function of your natural stone elements.

Learn more about some of the most popular finishes so that you can select the one that will best enhance your own natural stone design elements.

1. Polishing

Polished natural stone surfaces are very common in modern interior design.

Polishing generates a highly reflective stone surface. A reflective surface can help create an elegant and sleek design. Reflective surfaces can also be beneficial in helping small living spaces feel larger by reflecting natural light back into the room.

Mechanical diamond pads are rubbed across the surface of natural stone to create a polished look. This wears away the top layer of the stone, creating a waterproof surface.

Polished stone is often used as a countertop material, as a table top, or in fireplace surrounds. 

2. Honing

Another common finishing technique for natural stone is honing. Honing is the process by which a polished stone surface becomes more matte. There are varying levels of honing, with matte and satin being the most popular.

A matte honed piece of stone will have very few reflective qualities. Satin honed stone is slightly reflective, though not the type of mirror reflection that is achieved through polishing.

Honing makes a natural stone piece more porous. This means that the stone will absorb liquid and must be maintained more regularly than a polished surface.

Since honed stone is capable of absorbing some liquid, it tends to be less slippery when it gets wet. This characteristic makes honed stone a great option for bathroom flooring or countertops.

3. Brushing

Wire wheels and brushes are moved across the surface of a natural stone to create a brushed finish. Brushing is primarily used to help create texture within the stone itself. The texture can increase traction and give your stone elements a more natural appearance.

Brushed stone is ideal for use as a flooring material in high-traffic areas. The textured surface will help hide any imperfections caused by excessive use. Scratching and etching can easily blend into the brushed pattern, which will keep your natural stone floors looking great.

Brushed stone is typically found in homes where a smooth, worn-in finish is desired. A lot of warmth and coziness can be added to a space by introducing brushed stone elements.

Consider using brushed stone as a flooring material or as the foundation of your fireplace surround to lend a more lived-in vibe to your home.

When it comes to natural stone, finish can impact performance and durability. The way that a piece of natural stone is finished can determine how porous the stone will be, how well the stone will weather constant use, and how slippery the stone will get when exposed to any type of moisture.

Pairing the right finish with your decorative stone elements will ensure that your home remains both beautiful and functional through the years. Work with your designer to determine where polished, honed, and brushed natural stone will best fit into your interior design.