Have you ever noticed how the same stone can look completely different in different spaces? While craftsmanship and room design certainly play a huge part, the type of stone finish you opt for is just as crucial. In this blog, we explore the differences between honed, polished, and leathered stone worktops. Read on to find out how they can directly influence the mood of your space.
Why Choose Between a Polished, Leathered, or Honed Finish?
While it’s only natural for customers to put their time and energy into picking out the perfect worktop material, choosing a stone finish requires careful consideration, too. Whether you embrace a matte look with honed or leathered granite or lean into hotel luxe with polished marble, that difference in texture is more transformative than you think. Here’s what you need to know about each stone type and finish…
Leathered vs Honed vs Polished: Marble
Marble is a timeless stone choice known for its decadence and durability. When it comes to marble worktops, the finish you choose can completely shift the feel of your kitchen or bathroom space.
Leathered Marble: While less common than polished and honed finishes, leathered marble can give your worktops a beautiful, artisanal quality that lends itself well to high-end rustic spaces. It’s characterised by its matte, dimpled surface (reminiscent of leather) that gives the stone an earthy, back-to-nature feel.
Honed Marble: Honed marble is much smoother than leathered marble, and has a beautiful chalky finish that gives it that luxe look. Marbles with lots of veining work particularly well with honing since they strike the perfect balance between impact and elegance. That’s why you’ll often see them in high-end design magazines and luxury homes.
Polished Marble: Polished marble is dramatic and glamorous, making it a particularly popular choice for spaces that require that ‘wow factor’. With its smooth, high-gloss finish, it’s perfect for bouncing light around a room and creating ‘standout pieces’ that tie everything together.
Leathered vs Honed vs Polished: Granite
Sleek and naturally durable, granite is a perfect pick for busy kitchens. If you’re in the process of choosing a granite worktop, consider the level of texture to get just the right look for your space.
Leathered Granite: Leathered granite gives any room that classic rustic opulence. When a textured charcoal or black granite is paired with vintage wooden cabinets, a space instantly feels cosy and inviting. That’s why you’ll often find it in elegant country cottages and rustic cabins where it seamlessly fits in with organic, earthy schemes.
Honed Granite: Smoother than leathered, a honed finish on granite looks particularly spectacular when it’s used for dark or mid-grey shades with minimal veining. When combined, you get a striking, ‘understated luxe’ effect which works beautifully for large kitchen islands.
Polished Granite: Polished granite can run the risk of looking a little dated if not well executed. But if you combine it with a high-quality kitchen and finish it with bevelled or immaculately cut edges, it can be a real showstopper. To ensure your polished granite looks elegant and up-to-date, go for a darker stone with subtle speckling or a more striking cream with additional colours woven in. This will give you richness and depth while maintaining a clean, sophisticated look.
Do Different Worktop Finishes Vary in Price?
Yes, different worktop finishes do vary in price, although generally the difference between honed, leathered, and polished worktops is modest, with an approximate variation of around 10-20%.
When comparing cost, polished is almost always the most purse-friendly option, followed by honed, then leathered. Leathered finishes tend to cost more due to the fact that they’re more labour-intensive and require more complex manufacturing processes, while polishing is more straightforward.
How Your Choice of Finish Affects Cleaning
All worktops benefit from regular cleaning and maintenance, and the finish you choose will have a direct impact on how much or how little is required.
Polished: Polished surfaces are generally considered to be the least porous and easiest to wipe clean, but they can show fingerprints and smudges, especially on darker stones.
Honed: Honed finishes sit somewhere in the middle, hiding everyday marks while still being relatively easy to maintain, though they will require regular sealing to protect against stains.
Leathered: Finally, leathered granite, while excellent at disguising fingerprints and water spots, is the most porous option and demands the most thorough cleaning since its textured surface can trap crumbs and debris in the dimples.
Ultimately, the easiest finish to clean depends on your lifestyle. If you’re meticulous about wiping surfaces immediately, polished works beautifully; if you want a more forgiving, lived-in look that hides the chaos of daily life, honed or leathered might be your best bet.
Whichever you choose, regular cleaning and care will keep your worktops looking fresh.
Find a Finish That Feels Right for Your Space
Still unsure which finish will best suit your space? Why not head into our Bristol showroom to see all our finishes in person? Our helpful team are here to lend you a helping hand and can give you top tips and suggestions based on your unique vision and style.
If you have any queries in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact form. We’re always happy to provide advice and can even provide you with a quote in as little as 30 minutes!