Artificial stone has recently become more and more popular, and not only when used in finishing work, but also in interior design. Artificial material is especially often used to decorate kitchen interiors. And if you don’t take into account wall cladding, stone is used to make bar counters, countertops and tables.
One of the most versatile materials is artificial stone.
Such interior solutions have fully justified themselves due to their excellent characteristics, as well as good resistance to aggressive conditions of use in the kitchen, such as high humidity and temperature changes.
Synthetic material is an excellent choice for those who want their kitchen to have an excellent appearance. The presence of this material in a room automatically ennobles it. Natural stone has a high cost. There is absolutely no need to overpay. An inexpensive option made from synthetic agglomerate will be an excellent solution and will suit any style of kitchen.
Artificial stone is successfully used by many manufacturers of kitchen furniture and is becoming increasingly relevant.
An artificial stone table for the kitchen will fit perfectly into the interior in a classic and modern style. One of the main advantages of an interior element made of non-natural stone is its long service life, which can more than cover the cost of the product. Dining sets made from this material have a smooth surface, their texture is pleasant to the touch. A stone kitchen table does not absorb grease, does not crack or dry out.
Such furniture is very easy to maintain in the appropriate form, since the washing process is facilitated due to the absence of pores.
Furniture elements can be made in any form, even the strangest at first glance. Experts note that recently options made from acrylic stone have become very popular. Furniture made from acrylic has an impressive, modern appearance, is easy to process, and therefore is often used in kitchens or living rooms.
Countertops made from this material are almost two times lighter than similar options made from natural stone.
Synthetic stone is divided into two main types:
- acrylic;
- agglomerate.
A common composite based on acrylic resin is acrylic stone. Products made from this material are lightweight, flexible and practical to use. And thanks to this, furniture can be made in any shape and style.
Many designers choose agglomerate for their work. This is a heavy and strong material. If you plan to order a large size, it is best to make both the tabletop and the base from this material.
Advantages of artificial stone kitchen tables from a design point of view
The materials used to make kitchen tables with stone tops can have different textures and colors, opening up a wide variety of design options. Specialists can make models with polished or matte countertops, the shape and size of which can be any.
By buying an artificial stone table for your kitchen, you save a lot of money without skimping on quality.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of tables with stone tops are:
- Beautiful appearance, the ability to choose from a variety of colors and structures - from white to black, interspersed or plain, with patterns, with a polished or matte surface. You can make countertops of almost any shape from artificial stone, especially if we are talking about the acrylic variety, which is easy to process.
- Even if the price of the product seems too high, you should remember about the very long service life of such products.
- Smooth and uniform countertops are very easy to clean - neither water, nor grease, nor dirt penetrates into them. Therefore, mold and microorganisms do not grow on such tables.
- Shape stability even with sudden temperature changes.
- Possibility of local repair and grinding.
- Stability under mechanical influence, immunity to scratches.
- Increased flexural and compressive strength.
Certain disadvantages include heavy weight (but compared to natural stone it is lighter), inconvenient installation of large structures, as well as fear of high temperatures (tables made of acrylic polymer).
Varieties by type of assembly
Hospitable people have long appreciated the advantages of sliding-type models. A folding kitchen table with a stone top will fit in a kitchen of any size. If the size of the room allows, you can opt for a large folding model.
These options are perfect for interiors in a modern, loft, Scandinavian or Art Nouveau style.
Additional Information. An extendable stone table for the kitchen takes up a lot of space only when unfolded. This design is ideal for a large and spacious dining room.
Folding options are no less convenient and ergonomic solution than sliding models. But such a transforming table must have simple and reliable operating mechanisms, as well as fastening mechanisms, if necessary. Oval models of folding tables, which have only one support, are very popular, as they combine practicality and design.
The model must be designed for continuous use, both folded and unfolded.
The book table is also an excellent folding version of the transformable table. Can be used both folded and unfolded.
The surface of such a countertop will be more pleasant to the touch.
Note! A table with one leg looks very stylish. The size of this piece of furniture is often small and is ideal for a small kitchen.
How to choose an artificial stone table for your interior
The choice of an artificial stone model is best made in accordance with the size and configuration of the work area. And it is in solving such problems that the beauty of a tabletop made of synthetic material is revealed. It can seamlessly combine headset modules of various shapes - U-shaped, corner, arranged along a certain arc.
Capacity and ease of use often depend on the shape of the table.
Important! When choosing a dining table, it is necessary to take into account the area of the room, the number of people who will gather at it at the same time, as well as the design requirements and interior features.
The most universal is the rectangular or square shape. Such designs can be placed next to the wall or pushed into the middle of the room.
Such models are the most common.
Rectangular and oval models come in different sizes, accommodating from 6 to 12 or more people. They can be used harmoniously in both small and larger spaces. It is worth considering that such a model will look better in the middle of the room. It will be out of place near the wall.
For this option, it is best to use one base rather than four legs in the corners.
A semicircular design will also look harmonious against the wall, but it is better not to place a triangular-shaped product against the wall. More complex shapes are chosen for spacious rooms and are created in accordance with the basic idea of the entire interior.
The structure of the artificial material makes it easier to maintain the countertop. Overall, it will be much more resistant to difficult conditions in the kitchen.
How to choose size and shape
What a work table for a kitchen made of artificial stone will look like depends on the size and configuration of the work area, the presence of a free-standing stove or a built-in hob. This is where all the beauty of a stone countertop is revealed, capable of combining headset modules of any shape without a single seam - corner, U-shaped, arranged in an arc.
Figured work area in the kitchen
As for dining tables, when choosing them, the area of the room, the number of family members gathering at the same time, as well as design requirements for color and shape are taken into account.
Shape selection
The ease of use, capacity, and even the perception of the overall picture of the interior depend on the shape of the table and the type of underframe.
- Rectangular or square shape is the most versatile. Such stone tables for the kitchen can be placed close to the wall, and, if necessary, pushed into the center of the room.
- A round or oval table looks more formal, but it requires more space - it will look out of place against the wall.
- A semicircular kitchen table will look appropriate against the wall, but a triangular kitchen table against the wall will be completely inappropriate.
- Tables of complex shape are chosen mainly for spacious dining rooms, and support the style of its design.
Figured table in a spacious kitchen-dining room
Advice. It is much more convenient to make one central table (or two - in the case of an oval or rectangular shape) than four legs in the corners.
Determining the optimal size
There is a kind of instruction for calculating the required table area, according to which each eater should have 60 cm of edge. Knowing this, it is not difficult to determine the length and width of the tabletop, taking into account the number of family members and the position that the table will occupy in the kitchen (along the wall or in the center).
Some difficulties may arise only with determining the diameter of the round table. So that you don’t have to remember formulas and do the calculations yourself, use the following data:
- A table with a diameter of 90 cm is sufficient for four people;
- For five – 100 cm;
- For six – 120 cm;
- For seven – 130 cm;
- For eight – 140 cm.
For a larger number of eaters, it is recommended to choose an oval table rather than a round one.
Interesting and popular color schemes for tables made of artificial stone
Thanks to a huge range of modern technologies, models of various shapes, sizes and colors can be made from artificial materials that imitate natural ones. The most practical are light shades with various inclusions.
A white dining table will decorate any kitchen.
Black and dark shades look very expensive and stylish. But on such surfaces, fingerprints and stains are immediately visible. Over time, scuffs and scratches will be noticeable. But if dark color is your favorite, after a while all imperfections can be corrected by sanding.
Faux stone tables are simple in design concept.
If we consider options for artificial raw materials, then acrylic is considered more pliable. But it will be difficult to implement too bold design projects from agglomerate. Acrylic design options can be supplemented with figured cuts of different shapes, depending on the chosen style, as well as the wishes of the customer.
You can easily find curved table tops, which are often in demand for a bar counter in the kitchen, or a very thin table version, which is becoming increasingly popular.
The agglomerate has maximum similarity to natural raw materials.
Thanks to the qualities of artificial stone, it will retain its presentable appearance even after years.
Trendy texture of artificial stone tables
Models made from artificial raw materials these days are distinguished by a wide variety of colors and textures. Depending on the pigment added to the composite, as well as the type of filler, it can well imitate:
- natural marble;
- granite;
- onyx;
- slate;
- jasper;
- malachite.
A particular trend in recent years is the use of unique patterns of inclusions, as well as veins on the surface.
Grainy patterns, inserts and clear textures have proven themselves well.
Such solutions look attractive and interesting. They easily hide minor imperfections and make it possible to enjoy beauty and grace for a long time, postponing the restoration process.
The choice of table can be made based on many factors. The overall design, cost, and shape are taken into account.
Reliable kitchen models made of artificial material justify their cost and the difficulties that may arise during transportation and installation. Such furniture elements can become a real decoration not only for the kitchen, but also for the entire home.
This table will take up space in your kitchen for a long time, ideally complementing its design.
Features of countertops made of artificial stone
The properties and appearance of kitchen tables with stone depend on the composition of the composite material: the proportions of resin and filler, the type of stone chips. The filler can be:
- Limestone;
- Quartz sand;
- Marble chips;
- Granite chips, etc.
Main properties and advantages
The agglomerate from which countertops are made has excellent performance properties, including:
- High compressive and bending strength;
- Absolute moisture resistance;
Artificial stone is not afraid of water - even kitchen sinks are made from it
- Resistant to abrasion and scratches;
For reference. Kitchen tables made of stone are not afraid of cuts: you can cut food on them without a cutting board.
- Resistance to temperature changes;
- Environmentally friendly material;
- The ability to maintain its original shape throughout its entire service life;
- Antibacterial properties, etc.
The only thing such tables are afraid of is the effects of acids, which can leave stains on the surface. But they do not penetrate deeply and can be removed by sanding.
Surface grinding
The disadvantages of products made from composite materials include their heavy weight, which causes problems with delivery and the need to manufacture a sufficiently durable base.
Note! It is not always possible to deliver large tables to the apartment manually or by elevator due to their excessive weight. Sometimes you have to use lifting equipment to do this and “lift” it out the window. But more often the table is supplied as separate elements and assembled on site, and the seams between the parts are sanded.
You can see how the grinding and polishing of joints occurs in the video below.
Colors and shapes
Kitchen tables made of artificial stone come in a huge variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Depending on the type of filler and the pigment added to the composite, they can imitate products from:
- natural marble,
- granite,
- slate,
- onyx,
- malachite,
- jasper, etc.
A unique pattern of inclusions or veins on the surface gives such tables a special charm and unique look.
The color can be anything from pure white to jet black
A huge advantage of artificial stone is that it does not limit you in choosing the shape of the table. Look at the photo of one of them to see this.
Two-level kitchen table made of composite material
The tabletop can be round, oval, rectangular, shaped, with straight or rounded edges. You can build a hob or sink into it, and the latter can be integral with the work surface.
Note. Underframes of any shape are also cast from artificial stone - even in the form of lion paws or sculptures, if required by the kitchen design.
