Marble floor design: How and what to choose

One of the biggest décor debates I end up having with most of my friends and family is about flooring options in India. The main two possibilities that see us sparring over are natural wood and marble floor design. Since the average temperature varies greatly across the length and breadth of our country and seasons change much quicker here compared to the rest of the world, we need to pay extra attention when choosing the flooring for our homes. While wooden floors truly make a statement and instantly add a dash of heritage charm to any property, the more reasonable choice for cities with hotter summers, humid weather, and long monsoons seems to be marble floor design.

The Use of Marble in India

From the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra to the Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, several heritage landmarks in India have been built using Makrana marble through the centuries. And, the first thing that comes to mind when we think of a marble floor design for homes is the cooling effect it lends to the place.

Most children growing up in hot tropical cities will remember the joy of running around the house barefoot, cooling our toes on the cool stone or lying on the floor during power outages. Or, being warned not to sit on the floor during the winter months to avoid catching a cold! The flooring design plays a significant role in providing comfort and a unique experience in different seasons.

This natural stone, which is actually metamorphosed limestone, is found in abundance mostly in Northern India and comes in a range of price points for various budgets. The texture, hardness, colour, pattern, and cost of each slab varies based on the area it is quarried from.

Indian Marble Vs Italian Marble

Over the past few decades, this regal stone has also seen its fancier sibling from Italy make its way into the market. Most of us would at some point have seen spaces being fitted out in Italian marble to add an extra element of glamour and richness. But one must often wonder, which stone is better or works well for marble floor design in our country?

First of all, the Italian marble is much more expensive than our native one, since it is quarried in Italy, however, it is undeniably appreciated for its high lustre able to lend visual appeal to any space it is used in. Our native Indian marble on the other hand, despite being relatively harder and only giving off a slight sheen in comparison to the Italian one, is extremely cost-efficient and comes in a variety of colours and textures. Both stones are easily and readily available in India these days in a wide range of options for your floors, countertops, walls, bathrooms, and more: you only got to choose which one works best for you.

Caring for Your Marble Floor Design

Although marble tiles designed for floors are much tougher than they look, a little bit of care and precaution can help in their maintenance and longevity. There are several marble-specific cleaning agents available on the market, yet a mild detergent solution will work just as well for marble floor cleaning.

Referring to a flooring guide can provide additional tips on the best maintenance practices for marble. Treating your floors with a marble sealant will add a protective barrier and prevent staining over a period of time.

Furthermore, always be sure to gently mop or swab the floors—never scrub them vigorously, especially with gritty tools or harsh acidic solutions like vinegar. In fact, to avoid scratching, remember to never drag any heavy objects or furniture over the floor.

A regular and routine polish will work wonders whenever you feel your floors are losing their sheen or lustre.