While sleek and subtle is all well and good, for a long time now the world of interior design has very much been dominated by 'quiet luxury' – in short, colours, finishes and furniture that are focused on creating understated elegance that whispers rather than shouts.
The thing is, however easy to live with this look might be, it can be difficult to make much of a statement when sticking to this pared-back approach – and, perhaps as something of backlash towards all this restraint, it seems that interior design trends are now veering towards something more expressive – which goes some way to explaining the rise in popularity of Panda Marble as a surface material.
If you love the idea of injecting a bolder element into your home with your surfaces, this could just be the perfect choice – but before you do, here's everything you need to know about this eye-catching material.
What is Panda Marble?
The clue is very much in the name as you might have guessed. Panda Marble is a type of marble featuring strong black and white detailing.
Oli Webb, director at Cullifords, elaborates. "Panda Marble is a bold, high-contrast natural stone known for its crisp white background, dramatic black veining and unmistakably modern graphic character. Its palette blends pure white, soft grey, deep black and occasional charcoal tones, often arranged in sweeping bands, diagonal strokes and ink-like mineral formations. Some slabs are cleaner and more white-dominant, while others have heavier black ribbons or more fractured movement, giving each piece its own identity."
Mike Whitfield, interiors expert at LUSSO, says that the eye-catching nature of this material is why it's creeping its way into not just current kitchen trends but throughout the home.
"Panda Marble is a stunning material, and is perfect for introducing showstopping focal points to your decor. It is an extremely distinctive natural material, which is rightfully gaining popularity due to its opulent appeal. The naturally occurring material is quarried from China, and is characterised by a beautiful white base, interlaced with bold grey and black veins."
Oli Webb is a Director at Cullifords, a supplier of natural stones specialising in Marble, Granite, Quartzites, Travertines, Onyx and Slates. They also distribute man-made ceramic surfaces from SapienStone, which are specifically designed for the kitchen market.
With over 10 years of experience in the luxury homeware sector, and nearly 20 years of experience in e-commerce and online sales, Mike Whitfield has established strong relationships with B2C and B2B customers, including large developments and hotels worldwide. Additionally, he possesses a great eye for interior design and stays up-to-date with the latest trends.
Is Panda Marble in fashion right now?
In the fast-paced world of kitchen and bathroom trends, it can be hard to keep up with what is currently in vogue and, it has to be said, not all trends should necessarily be pounced on the moment they burst onto the scene.
But, Panda Marble is certainly one worth taking note of, and Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca'Pietra, reveals why she thinks it's currently so popular.
"Panda marble is the antidote to all the very polite, whisper-quiet surfaces we have lived with for the past few years. Its oversized black veining has an almost ink-painted quality, so it brings movement and personality to a room before you have added anything else. What makes it feel particularly relevant now is that interiors are becoming more expressive again; we still want beautiful natural materials, but we want them to contribute something rather than simply sit in the background."
"It is very much a statement marble, and its appeal sits within the wider move towards more expressive surfaces in the home," agrees Oli Webb. "Take Cardi B’s kitchen, for example, where Panda White was used to create an enormous highly graphic kitchen island and backsplash.
"It shows how a strong black and white marble can become the defining feature of a room, particularly in larger kitchens or interiors where the surface is intended to lead the scheme," he explains.
Grazzie Wilson is head of creative at tile company Ca'Pietra and is known for her creative and stylish approach. Offering consistently stylish and innovative solutions to tile and bathroom design has made her one of the most well-known and admired names in the industry.
Where can you use it?
Just like any type of marble, Panda Marble can be used for all kinds of surfaces within the home – but it works particularly well when the aim is to create something very distinctive, such as a splashback or kitchen island work surface.
Oli Webb feels that this type of marble works best within a modern interior scheme. "Panda White Marble is particularly well-suited to contemporary, minimalist and high-impact interiors, from feature walls and bathroom vanities to fireplace surrounds, luxury flooring, tabletops, bar tops and bespoke furniture. It can also be used for kitchen islands and lower-use worktops, although marble care should always be considered. As with any natural stone, homeowners should speak with their stone fabricator and fitter about suitability, installation requirements and the best application for their project."
Mike Whitfield is also keen to point out that it is better for some types of surfaces than others.
"Panda Marble works best as a statement. While it can be used for flooring, its distinctive characteristics can mean that it can become overwhelming when used excessively in a space. Instead, incorporate it in key elements, such as a freestanding bath or basin, or as a bold work surface or splashback in a kitchen," he suggests. "And do remember that marble kitchen surfaces need to be sealed on a yearly basis to prevent the porous material from becoming stained or damaged."
When is Panda Mable a bad idea?
While Panda Marble has many uses, Camilla Masi, interior designer at Otto Tiles & Design, warns that it does need to be incorporated with care in certain areas of the home – especially if you are after a low-maintenance finish.
"I wouldn’t advise using it as flooring unless it’s honed and your stone supplier can advise on its slip rating. I also wouldn’t recommend it as a work surface if you want something that is easy to maintain. Marble worktops are beautiful, but lots of people don’t realise how much upkeep they involve. Marble is a luxurious natural stone, and is very porous.
"I always advise against a dark work surface as they catch so much dust and lint that shows up especially when the sunlight hits," adds Camilla. "You don’t get that same lint accumulation on a vertical splashback so, for me, that’s where I’d use Panda Marble – as a real statement splashback, running from worktop-to-ceiling in a kitchen, or vanity-to-ceiling in a bathroom. It would also look fantastic on the walls of a shower enclosure."
Maintenance and slip-ratings aside, you also need to consider how the very prominent markings of this type of marble will work as part of your wider interior scheme. Grazzie Wilson has some tips here.
"In a bathroom, I would resist using Panda Marble on every available surface. It is far more powerful when given a clearly defined role: across one shower wall, behind a vanity, around a bath or as a bold slab-style splashback. The pattern needs enough uninterrupted space to be properly appreciated, so think carefully about where grout lines, brassware and sanitaryware will intersect with the veining. I would also avoid the obvious temptation to make everything else black and white. That can quickly feel rather hard and overly coordinated."
Camilla is an Interior Designer at Otto Tiles & Design, where she works closely with clients to create characterful spaces built around beautiful tile and surface choices. With a strong eye for colour, pattern and proportion, she blends timeless design with modern detail, offering practical yet style-led guidance for kitchens, bathrooms and beyond.
What finishes and materials pair well with it?
Panda Mable is a visually striking material. While this is what draws many people to it, in order for it to stand out, without overwhelming your kitchen design or whichever space you are using it within, it is important to understand the colours and finishes that it sits well alongside.
"When working with a stone like this, I’d recommend keeping the rest of the scheme quite pared back – the monochrome palette of Panda Marble can feel visually cold so, for me, the success of it within a scheme is about how you balance it and add warmth, so the room feels rich and layered rather than stark and minimalist," says Camilla Masi.
"In a kitchen, I’d pair it with rich walnut cabinetry, perhaps some creamy, off-white zellige, and aged brass hardware. I’d also have natural linen roman blinds, or a sheer café curtain, and add rattan pendant lights or wall sconces. I’d use essentially the same palette in a bathroom, and definitely add greenery."
Grazzie Wilson agrees that Panda Marble sits best alongside warm, natural materials. "It becomes much more interesting alongside warmer, quieter materials – aged brass, dark timber, softly-coloured plaster or a chalky neutral tile – this takes the graphic edge off it without diluting its impact. Let the stone be the slightly wild thing in the room. It doesn’t need every other finish trying to match its energy."
Is panda marble expensive and what are the alternatives?
The cost of a renovation or remodel can soon spiral, so any material you are considering introducing needs to included within your budget.
Panda Marble might look stunning, but it is not necessarily the best option if you are working to a very tight budget, as Alex Woods, bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing explains.
"Panda marble sits towards the higher end of the price range due to its distinctive colouring, dramatic veining and premium finish. It can be more expensive than more common marble varieties, such as Carrara, as well as granite. For those looking to achieve a similar look at a lower price point, ceramic and porcelain tiles with panda marble-inspired styling can be a good alternative."
"It’s a premium marble, so it will generally be more expensive than something like quartz or standard ceramic or porcelain surfaces," picks up Camilla Masi. "Rarer marbles tend to cost more than more common varieties such as Carrara, with the price depending on the veining, where the stone is from (Italian marble is more expensive than Turkish or Chinese, for example), the size of the slab and the work involved."
Expect to pay from around £600/m2.
Shop Panda Marble-effect alternatives
Made from hardwearing, polished porcelain these striking marble-effect tiles offer the look of real Panda Marble, but for a fraction of the cost – plus, they are easy to install on a DIY basis.
If you want a simple solution for your kitchen splashback then look no further. Made from toughened glass, this is easy-to-clean panel measures 60cm wide making it ideas for use behind standard hobs.
Measuring 300 x 600mm, these porcelain tiles are perfect for creating a subtle finish that is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens and even hallways – plus they are suitable for walls and floors.
Alex Woods is a bathroom expert at Victorian Plumbing, a major online bathroom and kitchen retailer based in Merseyside, UK.
FAQs
Does marble make a good worktop material?
While there is no denying the visual impact Panda Marble can have on a kitchen when used as a worktop material, it is important to be aware of its care and maintenance needs.
"Using Panda Marble for surfaces such as countertops and kitchen islands will instantly give any kitchen a striking feel. However, when used in these higher-impact areas, careful maintenance is required, as it can be more prone to scratching," points out Alex Woods.
"You need to understand the sealing requirements and ongoing maintenance, which may include annual resealing, depending on your supplier’s advice," adds Camilla Masi. "Even when sealed, it can still etch and stain in a high traffic area, leaving the dark parts in particular looking cloudy."
While Panda Marble is a beautiful way to make a statement, if you are after a kitchen worktop on a budget, there might be better alternatives out there – many laminate worktops have come on in leaps and bounds over the past few years, for example and may be a more cost-effective solution for you.
