In the world of interior design and decor, the choice of materials can be just as significant as the way in which you use them to create the right aesthetic and ambiance.
Natural stone is a very popular choice of material in interior design and amongst the different types of stone, onyx is among the most exquisite and versatile.
The Uniqueness of Onyx Stone in Interior Design
Onyx is visually stunning. This semi-precious stone has an iconic translucency to it which – combined with the striking veining patterns and rich variations in colour – makes it unique and highly aesthetically pleasing. In interior design, onyx can help to add a sense of elegance to a room and infuse luxury and visual sophistication. But there are advantages far and beyond just the surface level appearance.
Being stone, onyx offers a ton of durability and longevity when well maintained and taken care of. Investing in onyx stone is a long term decision that will reap aesthetic and functional rewards for many years into the future.
Additionally, as with all stone, onyx comes in slabs that are cut and hewn from quarries around the world. To this end, every single slab is unique in its own way and is not identical with any other slab in the world. If you’re looking for something truly original to add some life and art and beauty to your home, onyx is a great option.
So, how can you use onyx in your interior decor?
10 Ways to Use Onyx in Your Home Interior Design
Onyx is an opulent-looking stone. For some, it can be tricky knowing how to deftly yet effectively utilise it to its most beneficial in your interior design.
To help inspire you, we’ve put together 10 different suggestions for how you can use this amazing material.
1. Kitchen and bathroom countertops
The countertops in your home offer a lot of surface area to hero a particular material and what could be more beneficial to highlight than gorgeous onyx? Kitchen and bathrooms also tend to be areas of the home with highly effective lighting solutions (for practical reasons) so the onyx in your countertop will shine all the more so and the translucency of the stone can create an ethereal, stunning effect.
2. Backlit onyx wall panels
Using onyx stone for your wall panelling is a great idea on its own. The variety of shades of this material means you can mix and match until you find the perfect slab for your home. But if you want to go the extra mile and really bring your onyx wall to life consider some backlighting. The warm and inviting glow created by the effect of LED strips behind onyx panels is as mesmerising as it is impressive.
3. Flooring
When you need to choose a material for your floor practical considerations are really important. You need to think about foot traffic and ongoing wear and tear. While onyx is a durable material it is not ideal for high traffic areas. Instead, we recommend adding a touch of onyx-related luxury to less frequented areas where you really want to make a captivating impression on guests. Think of onyx flooring in a foyer or power room, for example.
4. Fireplace
Fireplaces are wonderful spaces in the home. They’re comfortable, inviting and ambiance-creating. With onyx cladding, you can transform your fireplace into a real work of art. Just imagine the visuals of dancing flames behind this absolutely stunning translucent semi-precious stone.
5. Sinks
Sinks are often relegated to the practical concerns and considerations. However, an onyx vessel sink is guaranteed to be a game-changing, head-turning addition to a bathroom. With complementary and stylish faucets and fixtures the complete look is a knock-out.
6. Bathrooms
If you love onyx as much as we do, you may be looking for a way to incorporate the stone more substantially in your bathroom. Vanities, bathtubs or feature walls in a bathroom made from onyx can create a spa-like oasis feel which is exactly what you’re after in such a space.
7. Furniture
So far we’ve focused on the more structural elements of the house but there’s plenty of potential to use onyx to amazing effect elsewhere in your home decor. Onyx furniture, from coffee tables to side tables, allow you to highlight this sophisticated material in selected and contained places of the house.
8. Lighting fixtures
Lighting fixtures offer a lot of potential. These practical additions to a home don’t require significant material investment, so an onyx pendant light or chandelier is a perfectly understated way to showcase the stone’s beauty in a refined and controlled way.
9. Wall art
As we have mentioned a few times, onyx is such a stunning stone that it’s a piece of artwork in and of itself. You can take this to its logical conclusion though as well in your interior design. Commissioned onyx art pieces or sculptures can adorn the walls or shelves of hallways, living rooms or lounge areas to add an artistic dimension (not to mention conversation starter) to your decor.
10. Accents
Last but not least, onyx accents are budget-friendly ways to infuse the impact of this stone into your home. Coasters, trays, vases and tabletop decor are all excellent opportunities to create a bit of opulence in the home without the cost or commitment of a major structural renovation.
