When it comes to natural stone countertops, there are more options out there than just marble and granite. If you love the dark beauty of granite and the light veining of marble, consider soapstone instead. It’s durable, relatively low-maintenance, and has a lovely, old-world feel. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Soapstone?
Soapstone—also known as Steatite—is a metamorphic rock that consists primarily of talc. Depending on the quarry from which it is sourced, this natural stone also contains varying amounts of other minerals such as micas, chlorite, amphiboles, quartz, magnesite, and carbonates. It is a relatively soft, very dense, highly heat-resistant material, which makes it perfect for using in kitchens and bathrooms. Soapstone comes in a range of gray, green-ish to black tones, some with more or less veining. Periodically oiling the countertop will make for a darker, smoother look.
A beautiful black kitchen with shaker cabinets and a grey soapstone countertop plus gold fixtures and pendant lamps.
A beautiful stained kitchen with flat panel cabinets, grey soapstone countertops, a grey hood and pendant lamps.
A chic grey kitchen with a vintage feel, only lower cabinets, black soapstone countertops and modern fixtures is very bold.
A cottage tan kitchen with beadboard, a grey soapstone backsplash and countertops and stainless steel fixtures.
A dove grey flat panel kitchen with glass front cabinets, a white marble backsplash, a stained kitchen island with a black soapstone countertop.
How To Maintain Soapstone Countertops?
Soapstone doesn’t stain, although it will naturally darken with use. Since soapstone is inert and non-porous, it doesn’t need to be sealed, although it’s sometimes treated with mineral oil to achieve a dark, even appearance. Unlike marble, soapstone is impervious to acids like lemon juice and red wine (a quality which makes it a popular choice for laboratory bench tops). It’s also heat resistant: you can place pots directly onto the countertop. And it can be cleaned with just soap and water.
A dove grey kitchen with flat panel cabinets and shaker style ones, black soapstone countertops, an open shelf and a square tile backsplash.
A dove grey shaker style kitchen with a skinny tile backsplash, black soapstone countertops and brass fixtures.
A dramatic kitchen with midnight blue flat panel cabinets, black soapstone countertops, open shelves, a white hood and brass touches.
A grey kitchen with shaker panel and shaker cabinets, black soapstone countertops, brass fixtures and beadboard backsplashes.
A light grey kitchen with flat panel cabinets and a kitchen island, black soapstone countertops and a backsplash, wooden beams and open shelves.
Are Soapstone Countertops Durable?
Soapstone’s downside is its softness, which makes it susceptible to scratches and nicks, although these can be buffed out with sandpaper.
A light grey shaker cabinet kitchen with open shelves, black soapstone countertops and a slight vintage feel.
A light-stained kitchen with flat panel cabinets, black soapstone countertops and a backsplash, a black hood and black hardware.
A modern white farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, black soapstone countertops and a black hood over the cooker.
A navy kitchen with flat panel and shaker cabinets, grey soapstone countertops and a white marble backsplash, gold fixtures is wow.
A neutral farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, grey soapstone countertops and a bay window is adorable.
How To Install Soapstone Countertops?
If you’re a novice having a stone fabricator install the stone in your home is your best choice, but since soapstone is softer than marble or granite, it’s also a fairly good candidate for DIYing.
A rustic kitchen with stained cabinets and a kitchen island, black soapstone countertops and lots of natural light in it.
A sophisticated greige kitchen with shaker cabinets, open box shelves, butcherblock and soapstone countertops.
A stained kitchen with shaker cabinets, white marble and black soapstone countertops, wooden beams and hanging lamps.
A vintage green kitchen with grey soapstone countertops, a white stone table, a white beadboard backsplash is amazing.
A vintage-inspired tan kitchen with shaker cabinets, black soapstone countertops, vintage fixtures and sconces.
A white farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, black soapstone countertops, a neutral tile backsplash and open shelving.
Do Soapstone Countertops Look Great?
There’s no better material for kitchen countertops: soapstone adds the perfect visual element to any kitchen, modern or traditional. You can either allow the natural patina to develop over time or oil the surface for a darkened sheen and more even appearance.
A white farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, black soapstone countertops, a window as a backsplash.
A white kitchen with shaker style cabinets, a brick backsplash, black soapstone countertops, black fixtures.
A white shaker style kitchen with a stained kitchen island, black soapstone countertops, framed hanging lamps over the island.
A white shaker style kitchen with a tile backsplash and black soapstone countertops and catchy pendant lamps over the island.
A white shaker style kitchen with a white beadboard backsplash, black soapstone countertops and black fixtures.
A white shaker style kitchen with a white glossy tile backsplash, grey soapstone countertops and pendant lamps.
An elegant kitchen with flat panel lower cabinets, a white tile backsplash and a hood, black soapstone countertops and a stained shelf.
An elegant kitchen with grey shaker style cabinets, a white herringbone tile backsplash, a stained kitchen island with a soapstone backsplash.
An elegant vintage dove grey kitchen with shaker cabinets, open shelves, a black hood and black soapstone countertops.