Soapstone Countertops Don't Have To Be Boring. Get Inspired By These Color Options

Soapstone is a unique kitchen countertop material with design roots in the American colonial period, when soapstone sinks and surfaces were the ubiquitous design choice of the era. Today, this countertop material is less common in homes but seems to be making a comeback for those looking for a more unusual material than your run-of-the-mill granite, marble, and quartz options. There are several things you need to know about soapstone countertops since the material has quite a few pros and cons depending on how you use your kitchen and what maintenance level you're willing to commit to. 

Many homeowners have mixed feelings about soapstone countertops. Those in favor of soapstone praise its nonporous nature, heat resistance, and ability to radiate heat — which is a huge plus for cold-weather homes. Some homeowners dislike the patina that shows up on the counters as it ages, and since it is a relatively soft, talc-based material, it can scratch easily. 

Considering the practical properties of soapstone, another drawback for some is from a design standpoint. In comparison to other common countertop materials, soapstone has a relatively limited color diversity, which some may claim is boring. However, if you look hard enough and appreciate nuanced differences, you'll find soapstone comes in a beautiful spectrum of hues and veining patterns that can change up the design as much as other materials with endless choices. It's all about the tones and shades, and of course, the story.

Charcoal gray and darker black variations are some of the choices you may see in natural soapstone. But just because it's a relatively standard color does not mean it's any less special. The richness of soapstone's darker hues provides a gorgeous canvas to build your design around. Homeowners can lean into the stormier tones, opting for darker cabinetry and deep stained floors, or you can go for more of a contrast, lightening up the darker soapstone with softer or brighter cabinet colors like cream or sky blue.

Bininha Black Venata, for instance, is a soapstone varietal that is a smoky charcoal color with just the most discreet white veins running throughout the stone. If you're looking for a cohesive, dark palette, then this rather rare soapstone color option may be right for you. Meanwhile, the Stormy Black varietal is a dark, ashy charcoal with veining that becomes more prominent after oil or wax treatments. The lighter veins could work well with contrasting design elements, like those lighter cabinets or floors. Ipanema Reserve is quarried looking light gray initially, but once treated with oil or wax, the gray transforms into an inky black or dark gray slab. The lighter contrasting veins give the same impression as a black marble countertop slab, making this choice an ideal one for those looking for a big luxe impact.

Some soapstone slabs come in uniquely blue-gray color variations, which are stunning cool-toned pieces that are so versatile in terms of design that they wouldn't be out of place in either a traditional kitchen or a luxuriously modern one. In a traditional kitchen, the blue-gray soapstone options very much embrace the historic designs from colonial America. Pair this with classic shaker cabinets and wooden floors, and you'll have a design palette that leans far into colonial revival or country chic. In more modern spaces, the darker bluish-grays can give off a luxe effect that rarer (and more expensive) marble creates in a space, but with a smaller price tag and much less upkeep to maintain the piece as well. In some cases, soapstone can also give the same aesthetic as a concrete countertop that's popular in modern design, but the stone's natural veins give it more of an elevated look than with plain, poured concrete. 

Don't be afraid of using these lighter blue-gray options in higher trafficked spaces in the home, either. Since soapstone is nonporous and does not get damaged by heat, it's a great countertop option for frequently used kitchens, or even bathroom vanities where water gets splashed regularly onto countertops or heat tools are often used. This is where soapstone's durability and density bode well for wear, despite its relative softness as a stone. In fact, practicality is one of the top reasons to consider choosing soapstone countertops for your home.

While many soapstone options will have at least a hint of veins in the slab, some choices let the veins do all the design talking. Anastacia soapstone, for instance, is a dark-gray varietal with incredibly striking white or light gray carbonite veins, which makes it look really similar to dark marble or black quartz. As a bonus to the color variety and beautiful veining that Anastacia has, this particular soapstone's low talc content makes it a harder kind of soapstone too; it's a very durable as well as aesthetic option for spaces like the bathroom where it can achieve a spa-like feel without compromising on functionality. The same goes for Belvedere soapstone, another Brazilian-mined material with low talc but with deeply dark gray and sometimes green-tinted veining. Both of these options are visually interesting in both coloration and patterning.

The Fantasia soapstone and Margarida soapstone are two varietals that also feature bold veining but on a much lighter gray background than the aforementioned choices. These two options are extremely dramatic in appearance, with prominent veining that leans into a luxury space. Margarida soapstone can also read much darker than Fantasia since once it's treated with wax or oil, the gray melts into a darker, ashier background that ensures its characteristically white veins exaggeratedly pop. Margarida, like Belvedere, may look really nice in a more opulent bathroom while Fantasia can make a dramatic impact in a modern kitchen. Ultimately, whichever color variation you choose for your soapstone countertops, you'll have a richly colored and beautifully unique piece in your home.