Slate Tile and Countertops
Slate, often associated with outdoor walkways or rustic garden paths, can be a great option for indoor spaces with its durability, character, and versatility. Here are a few reasons why slate deserves a place in your home beyond your patio and how it can integrate into kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, and even around fireplaces.
The Unique Qualities of Slate
Slate is a metamorphic rock formed from shale under intense heat and pressure. This natural process gives it a fine-grained texture and layered composition, making it ideal for splitting into thin, durable sheets. Slate’s surface is usually matte, textured, and slightly rough, but we hone the surface to be smooth for indoor applications.
One of slate’s biggest appeals is its color variation. Slate is available in a variety of colors—dark charcoal gray, green, rust-red, plum or purple, grey-black, and black. The subtle veining and movement in slate create visual interest, so every tile or slab is unique. This makes it a great choice for homeowners looking to introduce organic, natural materials and aesthetics into their home.
Slate in the Kitchen
One of slate’s most popular indoor applications is in the kitchen. You’ll see slate countertops and flooring in many homes, and the dark colors help it fit into several different styles, including earthy, modern, or traditional décor.
Slate Countertops
Slate countertops are an excellent alternative to more common surfaces like granite, marble, or quartz. This natural material is more durable than these popular options while maintaining the softness and natural aesthetic you might be looking for. Slate is:
Non-porous: Unlike granite or marble, slate doesn’t require frequent sealing and is naturally resistant to stains and bacteria.
Durable: As a heat-resistant natural stone, slate is safe to use anywhere in your kitchen… unlike quartz and other engineered surfaces.
Low maintenance: With just occasional cleaning and oiling with The Original Slate Oil to enrich its patina, slate can look brand new again without installing a new countertop.
These slate countertops pair well with natural wood cabinets for a cozy, organic look or with minimalist cabinetry for a sleek and contemporary feel.
Slate Backsplashes and Tile Floors
Slate tile makes an exceptional backsplash in addition to countertops. Its texture contrasts beautifully with polished appliances and can be a focal point in the kitchen. Slate floors offer a slip-resistant surface and can easily handle heavy foot traffic, spills, and drops.
Slate in the Bathroom
Make your bathroom feel spa-like with slate tiles and countertops. Because of natural cleft slate’s slip-resistant texture and moisture-resistance, it’s well-suited for:
Shower walls and floors: Slate tiles are non-porous and durable to withstand cleaning even with the harsher chemicals required for bathroom cleaning.
Bathroom flooring: We love seeing slate on bathroom floors because it retains heat and works great for heated floors.
Vanity countertops and sinks: Turn slate into a luxurious, custom countertop and sink when building your dream bathroom.
A honed slate countertop gives bathrooms a refined, matte look that’s both modern and grounded. For homeowners who want an elegant but natural design, slate perfectly complements white or marble tile, warm wood vanities, and black hardware.
Entryways, Mudrooms, and Beyond
If your mudroom is looking… muddy, you should consider slate for your next renovation. Its dark, earthy tones disguise dirt and scuffs better than lighter ceramic tiles, and its naturally textured surface helps prevent slips on rainy or snowy days.
As a long-lasting, easy-to-maintain material, we always recommend slate for high-traffic areas. When you use it in the entryway or mudroom, you’re almost bringing the outdoors in for a nice transition between spaces.
Slate Fireplaces
Where else do we find slate in your home? Fireplace surrounds and thresholds, and even statement wall textures.
Whether a traditional, classic living room hearth or a sleek, floor-to-ceiling surround in a modern décor space, slate brings warmth and timelessness. With multiple colors and a couple finishes to choose from, it can be used to create anything from a dramatic black statement wall to a cozy, cabin-style fireplace surround.
Caring for Slate Indoors
Slate is low maintenance compared to other stones while still looking new after years of wear and tear. Here are a few care tips:
Regular cleaning: Soapy water with a mop or sponge is all you’ll need, but the non-porous surface can withstand harsher chemicals when necessary.
Enhancing color: Applying our slate oil will bring out deeper tones and protect the surface.
Resisting scratches: While slate is hard, dragging heavy furniture or sharp objects can still cause marks. Use furniture pads where needed and follow up with slate oil to hide the scratch.
With proper care, slate can last a lifetime—and age gracefully while doing so.
Sustainable and Locally Sourced
Slate is one of the more sustainable natural stones. It’s quarried domestically (including in Pennsylvania and Vermont), reducing transportation's carbon footprint. Its longevity means fewer replacements, and its natural beauty requires no synthetic coloring or treatment.
As more homeowners look for eco-conscious choices, slate stands out as a durable, locally sourced, and environmentally friendly option.
However, some of the best slate in the world is imported from Portugal through Porto Slate Importers.
Is slate right for your next project?
If it’s time to update your kitchen, bathroom, or other space in your home, slate is a timeless option with flexibility to suit your styles over time. This material is more than your patio walkway and will look beautiful in any space.
At Garden State Soapstone, Slate, and Wood Countertops, we help homeowners bring their vision to life using slate and other natural stones. When you’re looking for a unique, long-lasting, and beautiful material for your home, slate might just be the perfect choice for your indoor and outdoor needs.