How to Choose, Style and Care for Travertine Stone
Travertine Bathroom Guide
What Is Travertine Stone?
Travertine is a sedimentary limestone created in hot springs and limestone caves. As calcium-rich waters flow and evaporate, escaping gases leave fine pores and voids through the stone. These natural features, along with delicate veining and tonal variation, give travertine its unmistakable, organic beauty.
Why Choose Travertine?
Travertine brings calm, character and a quiet sense of luxury. Admired since Ancient Rome, this natural stone is lighter than marble yet exceptionally durable. Its soft, earthy palette and organic texture evoke spa-like serenity while remaining thoroughly practical for everyday living.
Benefits of Travertine
- Timeless strength: naturally durable and crafted to endure daily life with elegance.
- Effortless maintenance: when sealed, travertine resists wear and requires only gentle cleaning.
- Elegant versatility: complements both classic and contemporary design, working beautifully alongside metals, woods and linens.
- Water-ready: naturally suited to bathrooms and spa-style spaces, performing well in humid environments.
- Sustainably sourced: responsibly quarried with a focus on longevity, reducing the need for replacement over time.
How to Style Travertine in Your Home
Travertine’s neutrality and texture make it effortless to style across interiors.
Add metallic accents
Pair travertine with brushed brass, warm gold, copper or stainless steel. Metallic finishes contrast beautifully with the stone’s matte, tactile surface and elevate the overall scheme. Try the Nuvo Brushed Gold Wall Mounted Basin Mixer Tap to complement the stone’s warmth.
Choose a neutral palette
Travertine sits naturally with microcement, limewash and soft tones — think ivory, cream, beige and gentle amber. It complements minimalist, Scandi and Japandi aesthetics, and layers well with boucle upholstery, braided rugs and natural linens. Pair with understated pieces like the Nuvo Brushed Gold Mirror to complete the look.
Keep it minimal
Let the stone lead the room, amplify the look by choosing a silhouette that suits your space such as the Circo Countertop Basin or perhaps a wall hung style option.
How to Clean and Care for Travertine
What you will need: pH-neutral, non-abrasive stone cleaner or very mild soap; soft microfibre cloths.
- Wipe regularly: use warm water and a soft cloth to remove everyday residue.
2. Dry after cleaning: buff with a soft, dry cloth to prevent water marks.
3. Attend to spills promptly: especially cosmetics and coloured liquids. Use very mild soap sparingly; overuse may dull the finish.
4. Avoid harsh products: no acids (vinegar, citrus), bleach, ammonia or abrasive pads. Deep stains should be treated by a stone-care professional.
5. Reseal annually: professionally, or with a high-quality penetrating stone sealer following manufacturer guidance.
Explore the Haddon Travertine Collection
Travertine embodies the natural warmth and quiet sophistication of timeless design. Honed from the earth and shaped by mineral springs, it brings an organic elegance to modern interiors. At Haddon, our travertine baths, basins and tiles are crafted to highlight the stone’s subtle veining, delicate texture and enduring strength.
Explore our travertine collection and discover a material that transforms everyday spaces into serene, lasting sanctuaries.
Need help?
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Both originate from limestone, but marble is metamorphic (formed under heat and pressure), while travertine forms at the surface around mineral springs, creating its characteristic pores.
Expect natural variation. No two travertine pieces are identical. Variations in colour, shade, veining, pore size and surface detail are natural characteristics and should be embraced, that individuality is part of travertine’s charm and authenticity. Representative images are a guide, not an exact match.
Over time, calcium carbonate precipitates from mineral-rich waters, building layer upon layer of stone. Microscopic bubbles become small hollows; mineral traces introduce hues from ivory and beige to honey, taupe and soft greys. The result is a living surface with subtle movement and depth.
Yes. Travertine is naturally porous and benefits from sealing to resist moisture and stains. Haddon travertine pieces are pre-sealed for immediate use; we recommend professional resealing at least once a year to maintain protection and finish.
With appropriate care and periodic resealing, travertine is designed to last for decades. Its inherent strength and timeless appeal make it a long-term investment. Our travertine products are supplied with a lifetime guarantee for complete peace of mind.
Travertine is a strong and long-lasting natural stone, proven through centuries of architectural use. When correctly sealed and maintained, it resists everyday wear and impact with ease. Like all natural materials, it can scratch or chip under heavy force or if struck with sharp objects, but such marks are usually surface-level and can be professionally polished or repaired. With proper care, travertine retains its smooth finish and timeless beauty for decades.