Porcelain isn't just for bathrooms anymore: How to use this durable material all over the house

Porcelain has moved beyond the bathroom and is taking center stage in unexpected places. Nonporous and made from a blend of natural clays and mineral colors, the specialized type of ceramic has proved to be a durable and attractive material. As a result, modern takes are showing up in kitchens, living rooms and dining rooms via countertops, tables, backsplashes and more.

At Rosenthal Interiors, the high-end furniture and decor store with locations in downtown Minneapolis and Minnetonka, owner Rosie Lebewitz says porcelain's re-emergence had been trending in parts of the world before gaining traction locally.

"It started showing up in Italy. We got our first pieces four or five years ago. It first started as pieces with white marble and gray veining," she says. "Now they come in glossy, matte finishes, grays, blacks."

Rosenthal is showcasing porcelain dining room, coffee and side tables. One prominent label, the Cattelan Italia line, features oval, round and rectangular tables in custom sizes and a range of colors. Lebewitz says it makes sense that porcelain is a coveted surface vying for homeowners' attention right up there with granite and quartz — the prices are comparable, too.

"It's impervious to heat, scratching. You can lay anything on it and it doesn't stain," she says. "The ceramic, what it's called in our line from Italy, is all man-made and it looks and feels like natural stone."

Houston-based Moderno Porcelain Works, which has 10 outposts across the country, opened a Minneapolis showroom less than two years ago. The company has sourced and installed many styles of porcelain for kitchen islands, countertops and backsplashes throughout the metro. Moderno has also used the material for fireplace surrounds and flooring.

"It has become accessible to many, many more people and is a predominant material for high-end residential," says Mario Cuevas, general manager here.

But with its range of applications, porcelain hasn't completely left the bathroom, Cuevas says, but it is getting a makeover. Chunky opaque tiles from the past have given way to lighter, sleek pieces that emulate patterns such as marble.

"You can match any print mimicking marble," says Cuevas, adding that the slabs, ¼ to ¾ inch thick, make it easy to work with. "We started with countertops, but saw the unlimited possibilities." 