Marble benchtops are generally priced per square metre, with additional charges for special additions such as sink cut-outs and drainer grooves.

Several factors play a part in choosing a kitchen benchtop. For one, the design should work with the rest of your home and kitchen décor. Additionally, the material should be durable and long-lasting, especially considering the amount of wear and tear it will see in a high traffic part of the house like the kitchen.

One of the most critical factors that you will need to consider is the benchtop cost.

The challenge with benchtops is that prices vary between suppliers and by factors including size, design, and colour.

There are several options for kitchen benchtop materials, especially if you’re looking for stone benchtops. Options include natural stone like granite and engineered stone such as quartz. Marble is one of the most popular options.

Marble is a classic natural stone option for kitchens and is available in various colours and designs. It is a relatively porous material, especially compared to granite, which means that it needs to be sealed before installation.

Marble benchtops are priced per square metre, with additional charges for special additions such as under-mount sink cut-outs and drainer grooves. Depending on the colour and type of marble you choose, you can expect to pay anywhere between $800 per square metre and $2,200 per square metre. Timber kitchen benchtops are a worthy alternative if marble doesn't suit your style.

Is marble good for kitchen benchtops?

If you’re looking for a stone benchtop, marble is undoubtedly one of the best options - a few advantages are listed below.

Aesthetic

Marble is gorgeous to look at, and natural impurities in the stone benchtops like silica, clay, and dolomite result in stunning and unique patterns and beautifully coloured slabs. Colour options include white, black, rose, yellow, green, and more. No two slabs are identical, so you can be confident that you’re getting a unique kitchen.

Durable

As a natural stone, marble is resistant to cracking, scratching, and breaking (unlike many engineered stone options) and is also extremely heat-resistant (though you will still need to protect the surface if you want to preserve the finish).

Low maintenance

As long as your benchtops are sealed, they are easy to maintain. All you need is a damp cloth, some gentle soap. That said, you should make sure to clean spills that can stain (like wine, juice, and oil) as soon as possible.

What type of marble can I use for benchtops?

If you’re shopping for a marble stone benchtop, you may find yourself overwhelmed with how many types of marble you have to choose from. While there are numerous options you can pick from, some of the best choices are listed below.

Calacatta marble

This is likely the marble you think of when you imagine marble interiors. While it is expensive, it is one of the most attractive options available, featuring a brilliant white background with gold and grey veins.

Carrara marble

The more affordable alternative to Calacatta, this type of marble is better at disguising stains and wear and tear. However, you don’t get the same brilliant white that you find in Calacatta.

Arrabescato Vagli

Sitting halfway between Calacatta and Carrara in price, this marble offers greyish-green veins that are dark and striking on a white background.

Crema Marfil

Available in warm hues of yellow, white, cinnamon, and beige, this marble is perfect if you’re looking for benchtops to pair with darker accents in the rest of your kitchen.