The Design Secret That Makes Wood And Marble Look So Good Together

Nailing the perfect balance of wood and marble isn't easy. You can lose the visual appeal of either material if you allow one to overpower the other. However, there's a secret that makes wood and marble look so good together. It's the 60-30-10 interior design rule. Brandy Rinehart, interior designer at Habitar Design, spilled the details of this special ratio so that you can implement it as part of your own interior design approach.

While speaking exclusively to House Digest, Rinehart explained that you should use 60% dominant material. Wood falls into this category. As for the 30%, this should consist of secondary material, like marble. Accent material makes up the final 10% of this ratio. According to Rinehart, this could be glass, metal, or a pop of color for depth and interest. The interior designer laid out an example of how this rule could be applied. "In a kitchen, this could mean wood cabinets (60%), marble countertops and backsplash (30%), and metallic or colored hardware/fixtures (10%)," she explained. "This ratio keeps the space visually balanced while allowing both materials to play their roles effectively."

Pairing wood and marble as part of your interior design styling approach offers a long list of benefits, some of which you may not have even thought of. Rinehart shared a few of these perks while speaking exclusively to House Digest. According to the expert, contrast and harmony are visual benefits to look forward to. "The rich warmth of wood balances marble's cool elegance," she explained. Versatility is another perk of these timeless, classic materials. Rinehart pointed out that wood and marble work well as part of many different interior design layouts. 

This pairing also allows you to play with texture in your home décor. "The natural grains of wood and the veining in marble add depth and interest," Rinehart explained. Finally, the durability of wood and marble make them both super long-lasting options. "Both materials age beautifully, adding character over time," the expert added. If you've been persuaded to move forward using wood and marble to design a stunning home interior, there are a few additional tips you can implement alongside the 60-30-10 rule for a more balanced look.

Rinehart recommends selecting complementary tones. "Warm-toned woods (like walnut) pair well with creamy marble, while light woods (like white oak) suit cooler-toned marble," she shared. The interior designer also warned that you should use marble strategically. "Feature it where it makes the most impact (island countertop, backsplash) without overwhelming the space," she explained. Lastly, Rinehart shared that you should select materials in different finishes, practice proper maintenance, and mix in other materials, such as metal décor or textiles like rugs. 

Although experts recommend the 60-30-10 rule, you might prefer to let wood dominate a room. It's possible to pull this look off, but adding the perfect amount of marble will take things to the next level. "It depends on the look and feel you're aiming for," Rinehart explained while speaking exclusively to House Digest. "Some designers prefer more wood to keep the space warm and inviting, but marble has a naturally bold and luxurious presence with added resilience."

The expert went on to explain why marble complements wood beautifully. "Marble can also act as a statement element that enhances and juxtapose wood's natural texture," she shared. All in all, nailing the right ratio is incredibly important when pairing wood with marble. "Rather than strictly using more wood, the key is balance — allowing marble to shine as an accent (e.g., countertops, backsplashes) while wood grounds the space (e.g., cabinetry, flooring)," Rinehart shared. The interior designer also warned that using too much marble may give your kitchen a cold and uninviting feel. On the other hand, the overuse of wood could result in an unintentional rustic home décor style. Thanks to Rinehart's advice, you now have the information you need to achieve the perfect balance of marble and wood within your home.