Stone continues to be a popular material for both interior and exterior spaces. But you don’t need to use natural stone to reap the benefits to your home’s curb appeal and resale value. Manufactured stone will do just as well in many cases. In fact, according to Realtor.com, manufactured stone veneer boasts an impressive return on your investment of 97 percent.
But even if you don’t plan to sell your home, stone veneer offers numerous possibilities for adding texture and interest to your walls. You can use this material on the outside of your home, in the kitchen, in the entry, or as an accent throughout your living space.
1. Exterior of Home
Craftsman-style homes popularized the use of exterior stonework in the early 1900s, but the style has made a comeback in recent years. Many contemporary homes feature characteristics of Craftsman homes, such as rough-hewn stone, wood floors, exposed beams, and an open layout.
If you’d like your home to mimic the warmth and simplicity of this early 20th century style, then ask your contractor to apply stone veneer to the exterior of your home. You can use as much or as little stone as your budget allows and preferences dictate. Many homeowners just add stone from the base of the home to a couple of feet up. Another popular style is to cover pillars with stone.
Whatever you decide, take care to match the type of stone to the rest of your house. For example, round river rock would go well with a rustic log cabin, while sandstone would complement a stucco home.
2. Interior Wall
If you would rather use stone veneer inside your home than outside, you have plenty of options. One popular trend is to create an accent wall with the stone. You can choose any wall to cover with stone, but it makes sense to choose one that is already a focal point. For example, if you have a TV hanging on the wall, you could create a stone backdrop.
Another great use for stone on interior walls is to cover up unwanted architectural details. For example, if your home was built in the 1960s or ‘70s, it may have exposed brick on one or more of the walls. While some homeowners still like this look today, you might prefer the cooler, more neutral shades of limestone or granite veneer.
3. Kitchen Backsplash
If you want to add stone to your home but don’t want to commit to an entire wall of it, consider applying it behind your kitchen counters as a backsplash. Manufactured stone is easy to clean, so it’s an ideal material for backsplashes, which frequently get splashed with oil and covered in bits of food.
When shopping for a stone type to use for this purpose, choose one that matches the color of your kitchen cabinets. For example, select a pale limestone to go with black cabinets for a stylish black-and-white look. Or if you have warm, hardwood cabinets, a stone with reddish or golden tones would complement them nicely.
4. Entryway
Another creative way to use manufactured stone in your home is to cover an archway in the entrance of your home. For example, place stone around the entire archway from the floor to the top of the arch. Or if you prefer, just accent the top of the arch with a few pieces of stone veneer. Both options add elegance and textural detail to your home.
If you don’t have an archway in your entrance, simply frame your door with stone veneer. This look can create depth and is inexpensive to achieve since you only need a small amount of stone.
5. Fireplace Surround
Lastly, one of the most popular ways to incorporate stone veneer at home is around the fireplace. You can use stone veneer for both indoor and outdoor fireplaces since the material is resistant to the elements. Some homeowners keep a traditional wood mantle and use stone for the surround, while others use stone for everything, including the hearth and faux chimney.
For a unique twist on a stone fireplace surround, mix manufactured stone with brick veneer. You could also mix different types of stone. For instance, consider using one type of stone for the surround and another for the mantle and as a strip above the fireplace. Yet another option is to mix and match the same type of stone in different colors, such as a dark gray slate and a light gray slate with a green tint.
Now that you know some ways to use manufactured stone in and on your home, you can start renovating with this beautiful material. To find durable, easy-to-install, and authentic-looking stone veneer for a great price, check out Harristone. We offer a variety of stone textures and mortar colors to complement every home.