7 Natural Stones That Can Give Your Floor a Colourful Twist
Want to add some organic warmth, texture and drama to your home? Try one of these colourful stone floors
There’s something innately, compulsively attractive about stone. Is it some deep, ancient connect with its qualities of permanence, a refuge from the ephemeral, uncertain and dangerous world outside? Or its varied beauty, from Stonehenge to Taj Mahal? Both are paeans to stone, besides all their builders meant them to be.
However, it lends itself beautifully to more domestic purposes, too. Stone’s tough but modest grain, lovely colours and patterns, aura of strength and timeless durability, and tactile qualities, ranging from glossy luxe to rough-hewn rusticity, make it stand out among flooring materials. As they are derived from the earth, stones exude raw hues that can be creatively used to accentuate the floors of a home. Do you think white, cream and grey floors are too mainstream? If you are willing to give a punch of colour to what’s underfoot too, pick one of these beautiful natural stones.
However, it lends itself beautifully to more domestic purposes, too. Stone’s tough but modest grain, lovely colours and patterns, aura of strength and timeless durability, and tactile qualities, ranging from glossy luxe to rough-hewn rusticity, make it stand out among flooring materials. As they are derived from the earth, stones exude raw hues that can be creatively used to accentuate the floors of a home. Do you think white, cream and grey floors are too mainstream? If you are willing to give a punch of colour to what’s underfoot too, pick one of these beautiful natural stones.
Jaisalmer stone is great for outdoor applications, too. The terrace of this home sports a chevron-patterned floor made of yellow Jaisalmer stone and grey Kota stone.
Jaisalmer stone is porous in nature and reactive to acids. Hence, it stains and corrodes if exposed to harsh detergents or acidic food items. These slabs should be properly sealed before installation.
Have a look at these 6 floors that keep you rooted in India
Jaisalmer stone is porous in nature and reactive to acids. Hence, it stains and corrodes if exposed to harsh detergents or acidic food items. These slabs should be properly sealed before installation.
Have a look at these 6 floors that keep you rooted in India
2. Cuddapah stone
Cuddapah or Kadappa is a charcoal-black member of the limestone family, a native of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. Due to its low porosity, it can be polished to a satin finish or left textured for a more rustic effect. The dark hue adds depth to the space, increasing the sense of height.
Cuddapah can be used in high-traffic areas and wet areas, too, thanks to its tolerance to wear, high temperatures and moisture.
Cuddapah or Kadappa is a charcoal-black member of the limestone family, a native of Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh. Due to its low porosity, it can be polished to a satin finish or left textured for a more rustic effect. The dark hue adds depth to the space, increasing the sense of height.
Cuddapah can be used in high-traffic areas and wet areas, too, thanks to its tolerance to wear, high temperatures and moisture.
3. Marble
If you are planning on dark floors, cuddapah is not the only option; black marble can stand out equally. Marble is a high-end solution that reveals rich, natural grains, colours and patterns. Although the luxurious-looking black stone in the picture is Italian marble, an Indian counterpart is Abu black marble from Rajasthan.
Find out how to choose the right marble for your floor
If you are planning on dark floors, cuddapah is not the only option; black marble can stand out equally. Marble is a high-end solution that reveals rich, natural grains, colours and patterns. Although the luxurious-looking black stone in the picture is Italian marble, an Indian counterpart is Abu black marble from Rajasthan.
Find out how to choose the right marble for your floor
Bidasar brown marble is a beautifully patterned and coloured stone quarried from Bidasar, Rajasthan. It is a very hard stone with high resistance to water and weather. It can be polished, sanded, sandblasted or tumbled to get the desired texture.
Makrana, Andhi, Rajnagar, Morwad, Ambaji, Katni, Jodhpur pink, Bidasar rainforest green and Dungri brown are among the locally available marble stones in India. Each of them have unique variations in colour and pattern.
Makrana, Andhi, Rajnagar, Morwad, Ambaji, Katni, Jodhpur pink, Bidasar rainforest green and Dungri brown are among the locally available marble stones in India. Each of them have unique variations in colour and pattern.
4. Onyx
Onyx is a fragile and porous stone that needs proper installation and post-installation care. Onyx comes in translucent and opaque forms, and is available in a wide range of colours, including golden, green, pink and brown. Such exotic natural hues, when used underfoot, add to the vivacity of the decor.
Here are 10 more unique options for your floors
Onyx is a fragile and porous stone that needs proper installation and post-installation care. Onyx comes in translucent and opaque forms, and is available in a wide range of colours, including golden, green, pink and brown. Such exotic natural hues, when used underfoot, add to the vivacity of the decor.
Here are 10 more unique options for your floors
5. Granite
Granite is a widely occurring stone in India, with attractive colour variations that range from blue, black and green to gold and pink. It is harder and cheaper than marble, and has a higher resistance to abrasion and scratching. Using bold colours on the floor can make a strong impact, and red granite, such as this one here, can serve this purpose aptly.
Granite is a widely occurring stone in India, with attractive colour variations that range from blue, black and green to gold and pink. It is harder and cheaper than marble, and has a higher resistance to abrasion and scratching. Using bold colours on the floor can make a strong impact, and red granite, such as this one here, can serve this purpose aptly.
6. Slate
If bold is not your style, go a bit low-key with slate. This stain-resistant stone is mainly found in tones of grey, gold, brown, green and black. Its raw texture and warm hues work well with both traditional and contemporary decor styles. Slate, in particular, looks great when applied in a regular or random layout style.
Slate is a bad conductor of heat and electricity. When used as floors, slate tiles should be sealed with chemical sealants to reduce the possibility of efflorescence (salt deposit on the surface) and to increase durability.
Browse more images of slate floors here
If bold is not your style, go a bit low-key with slate. This stain-resistant stone is mainly found in tones of grey, gold, brown, green and black. Its raw texture and warm hues work well with both traditional and contemporary decor styles. Slate, in particular, looks great when applied in a regular or random layout style.
Slate is a bad conductor of heat and electricity. When used as floors, slate tiles should be sealed with chemical sealants to reduce the possibility of efflorescence (salt deposit on the surface) and to increase durability.
Browse more images of slate floors here
7. Sandstone
India is a leading producer and exporter of sandstone. It is more porous and absorptive, compared to slate. Commonly occurring in lighter tones of red, brown and yellow, sandstone is similar to the slate – but is gentler in accentuating colour.
India is a leading producer and exporter of sandstone. It is more porous and absorptive, compared to slate. Commonly occurring in lighter tones of red, brown and yellow, sandstone is similar to the slate – but is gentler in accentuating colour.
You can play with geometrical shapes and abstract patterns to create your own unique coloured floor. This part of the floor in the picture is a collage of yellow Jaisalmer stone, red sandstone, white marble and black cuddapah stone.
Read more:
6 Stone Floors Best Suited for Indian Homes
The Pros & Cons of Stone Floors
Tell us:
Do you have a strikingly coloured floor? Show us pictures in Comments below.
Read more:
6 Stone Floors Best Suited for Indian Homes
The Pros & Cons of Stone Floors
Tell us:
Do you have a strikingly coloured floor? Show us pictures in Comments below.
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Yellow Jaisalmer stone, as the name suggests, is quarried from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It is a durable variety of natural stone, available in colours varying from yellow to pale yellowish-orange. The radiant colour gives a warm, welcoming vibe, and goes well with white walls, and brown and black accents, as in the picture. It goes equally well with a palette of blues and white.