Are you looking for a quality countertop for your kitchen? If so, you may have thought about going with bluestone slab. Take a look at the list of options we have put together.
Are you looking for a quality countertop for your kitchen? If so, you may have thought about going with a bluestone slab. Lots of people love a bluestone countertop because it matches with a lot of decorating styles, is incredibly durable, and can be customized to meet your needs. At the same time, if you are thinking about installing a bluestone kitchen countertop, it is important to think about the best ideas for your specific layout.
Fortunately, bluestone is a versatile option, and it will match well with numerous appliances and styles. Learn more about bluestone countertops below, and think about how you can use this countertop in your kitchen.
What Is a Bluestone Countertop?
When people mention bluestone countertops, they’re using a term that actually encompasses a wide variety of stones. For example, in Europe you may hear this term used to describe dolerite. In North America, you may hear it called feldspathic sandstone. In Australia, they call this stone basalt. Even though many people believe it is blue, it can actually include black, light gray, and blue colors.
There are a number of ways that you may use this stone in your kitchen. For example, many people use it as an indoor countertop for their appliances and food preparation. The stone is also durable enough to be used outside. There are some situations where people even use this durable stone for outdoor pavement. At the same time, the most common application is as a kitchen countertop.
Natural Stone Countertops: Is Bluestone a Good Countertop?
Yes, bluestone is a great option for your countertop. It is one of the strongest options, so it can stand up to a significant amount of wear and tear. In addition, it is incredibly dense, which means it will resist stains. If you are tired of seeing a bunch of stains on your kitchen counters, then you may want to go with bluestone to deal with this issue.
This material can also stand up to a significant amount of moisture. There are some surfaces in your kitchen that will not work well outside because they cannot stand up to the rain. This is not a problem you will have to deal with if you choose bluestone, which is why so many homeowners have already decided to install it as part of an outdoor kitchen.
Natural stones are among the most popular countertop materials, so if you are looking for kitchen countertops, consider going with bluestone as your countertop material. Is this one of the best stone options available?
Soapstone Countertops: Bluestone Countertop Pros and Cons
So, should you use this material for your countertop? It is helpful to take a closer look at the pros and cons.
Some of the biggest benefits of going with bluestone include:
Durability
This is one of the most durable options available. As long as it is installed properly, it can last for decades. If you use your kitchen regularly, you need a stone that can stand up to routine wear and tear. Bluestone is one of the top options available.
Customizability
You can also customize this option to meet your needs. Even though you can find bluestone in a blue color, it is also available in red, brown, gold, gray, and numerous other colors. Furthermore, you can cut the material into whatever shape works best for you. You can get it cut in a round, square, or rectangular shape.
Temperature Resistance
This material also handles temperature change as well. If you install a kitchen countertop outside, you might be concerned that the countertop will crack as it expands and contracts with the temperature changes. This is not something you need to worry about if you choose bluestone. It can even stand up to freezing temperatures.
Moisture Resistance
Finally, bluestone can also stand up to a lot of moisture. If you install counters outside, they need to be able to stand up to regular rain. This is something bluestone can handle, so consider using it outside.
On the other hand, there are a few drawbacks you need to note as well. These include:
Sealing
Even though this material can stand up to a lot of moisture, you need to seal it if you want it to do so. To ensure optimal durability, you need to get it sealed to protect against chemicals, debris, and salt. For example, if you install the kitchen countertop outside and you have an outdoor pool, you might need your counter to stand up to chlorine. You will need to seal the bluestone if you want it to do so.
Cost
Because bluestone is a natural stone, it also costs more when compared to other materials. It is not as readily available as other standard options, such as concrete. As a result, you might need to pay more if you want to use bluestone for your kitchen counters.
Weight
Finally, it is significantly heavier than many of the other options. Even though you probably won’t be lifting the stone yourself, this could mean it will take a little bit longer to install. It might require specialized equipment, and it could drive up the cost of installation. Before you decide to go with these counters, make sure you work with a contracting team that has experience dealing with this natural stone.
Before you decide to go with bluestone, make sure you think about the benefits and drawbacks carefully.
Soapstone Countertop: How Do You Clean Bluestone Countertops?
If you decide to install bluestone counters, you need to keep them clean. Fortunately, there are several options available. If you want to effectively clean this stone, you need to have water, dish soap, and a scrub brush. Depending on how bad the stains are, you may need to get a stronger cleaner.
Ideally, you should clean up spills as soon as possible. Some of the tips you need to follow if you want to keep your counters clean include:
Soap and Water
For your basic cleaning, all you need to do is use soap and water. Before you put a sponge on your counter, make sure you remove any debris. Get rid of any crumbs because you don’t want to scrub them into the counter. Then, next some dish soap and water together. You just need enough soap to make sure the water has plenty suds in it.
After, you can use a scrubbing brush to scrub the area carefully. Try to remove any dirt or grime. Once you are done, rinse the area using soap and water.
Stain Removal
If you have stains, then you need to use a stronger cleaning solution. Make sure you test it in a relatively innocuous area. Spray it, leave it in place for a few minutes, and make sure it will not impact your counter.
If you have a stand that is particularly tough to remove, you may want to use an oxidizing agent. By introducing extra oxygen to the area, you can lift stains and grime from your counter, making them easier to remove. Then, use your cleaning agent to scrub the area, removing the stains from your bluestone countertop for outdoor kitchen.
Stain Prevention
Finally, you need to prevent stains from coming back. The best way to do so is to remove debris when you see it. Then, make sure you clean the area with soap and water regularly. If you clean up spills as quickly as possible, you can prevent them from staining your counter.
10 Bluestone Countertop Ideas
If you are looking for some great ideas for your kitchen counters, a few options include:
Create a Dramatic Kitchen Island
One of the first options you may want to consider is to create a dramatic kitchen island in the center. You want to have a beautiful location where you can prepare your food, talk to others, and stay in the center of the action. If you create a large, dramatic center kitchen island out of bluestone, your kitchen will be ready to host.
The Rustic Farmhouse Bluestone Counter
A lot of people believe that soapstone and bluestone are modern materials. While you can use them to create a modern feel, you can also use them to create a rustic farmhouse look. For example, you may want to use it to create a stark contrast between the kitchen counters and the hardwoods in the room. You can create a nice vintage feel and accent it with some beautiful overhead lighting. Consider using your bluestone counters to create a beautiful farmhouse feel with plenty of character.
Pair Your Soapstone With Wood Cabinets
This is another beautiful example of how you can use bluestone counters to bring out the best in your kitchen. You can use your bluestone counters and pair them with oak cabinets to create a rustic touch that still exudes luxury. It is a relatively simple contrast, but it can also coordinate well with stainless steel appliances. Consider using your soapstone counters to accent your beautiful wooden cabinets, particularly if you had them customized by a trained professional.
Bluestone in the Luxury Kitchen
If you really want to make your kitchen stand out, then consider adding bluestone counters in a luxurious setting. You can use soapstone to create a huge, gorgeous island in the center and surround it with some of the best appliances on the market. Then, when you combine it with customized cabinets, you can bring out the best features of your kitchen, showing off your investment to everyone who enters the room. If you want to live a life of luxury in your kitchen, bluestone counters can help you do exactly that.
The Minimalist Kitchen Island
Not every kitchen island has to be huge. If you are looking for a more conservative approach, then you may want to use dark bluestone to accent the rest of the kitchen, as it does in this image. Because the kitchen island will stand out, you can still draw attention to the parts of the kitchen that matter most to you. On the other hand, you do not necessarily have to break the bank. This is a more utilitarian approach you can take with your kitchen design, and it is perfect if you are tight on space.
The Grey Bluestone Kitchen Island
If you are looking for something that will match with just about everything, then you may want to go with grey. A lot of people love a gray kitchen island because it matches well with dark colors, light colors, bright colors, and everything else. If you are unsure of exactly what type of decorating scheme you want to use in your kitchen, go with gray. One of the best parts of soapstone is that it comes in just about every shade, so you can still customize it to meet your needs.
The Modern Kitchen Design with Bluestone
If you want to go with a super modern kitchen, bluestone can help you do that. You can install the latest appliances, pick a floor that matches, and get dark cabinets to finish off the look. Finally, you can pick some accent lighting that can bring out the modern accouterments in your kitchen. If you are someone who loved the modern feel, you can customize your bluestone to meet your needs.
The Black and White Kitchen
If you are someone who loves a study in contrasts, then you may want to go with a black and white kitchen. Because you can customize bluestone to meet your needs, you might be interested in going with black soapstone. Then, if you have white cabinets and white seating, you can create a beautiful contrast in your kitchen that will grab the attention of everyone who walks in the room. Furthermore, if you have the occasional splash of color, such as a fruit basket, you can finish off the look. Take a look at a few black soapstone counters and see if you can find one that works well for your needs.
The Yellow Kitchen With Bluestone
If you are looking for a bright, warm feel, then you may be thinking about using yellow in your kitchen. Even though it might sound unusual, it can look great when it is paired with bluestone. For example, these black soapstone counters contrast beautifully with the sunny kitchen. It looks beautiful when the natural light comes in, and you can create an uplifting feel in the kitchen. If you add some natural wood for your floors, it will look even better.
The Warm Soapstone in the Accented Kitchen
If you want to create a warm and welcoming feel in your kitchen, bluestone can help you do exactly that. You can go with a slightly warmer shade with your counters, pair it perfectly with your floors, and finish it off with some beautiful lights. Because soapstone often has a lot of inclusions, you can select your cabinets and appliances to match some of the inclusions. Then, you may want to pair your other furniture with the main color of your soapstone. This is a great way to bring your entire kitchen together and welcome your guests.