Stone is one of the most popular and common construction materials but because it’s generally used on the exterior of buildings, interior stone walls are not exactly something we’re used with. They give a sense of rusticity and coziness and they’re sometimes associated with wine cellars, castles and mountain lodges. There are, however, many other ways in which stone can be used in interior design. In the examples that follow we’re going to explore some of these options.

Stone and wood are two of the major materials used byHelena Teixeira Rios y Jacques Rios when designing this house inAmarantina. We like the interior stone wall and the way in which it complements the wooden floor and ceiling of this bedroom. It adds a lot of texture to the space and it serves as a general focal point of attention for the room.

You wouldn’t really suspect that this house from Portugal has interior stone walls just by looking at its exterior design and architecture. Surprisingly, the interior is warmer and cozier than the white exterior walls and crisp geometric lines would suggest. Although the interior design too is mostly based on white surfaces and minimalist forms and lines, all of that is balanced out by large portions covered in wood and stone, like this staircase space for example. The design was done byADA – Atelier de Arquitectura.

Although including entire walls covered in stone in a home’s interior design is not exactly common practice, there is one area where you actually expect to see stone: the fireplace surround. This can be a big section of a wall which goes all the way up to the ceiling or can even be an entire wall, depending on where the fireplace is positioned in the room. This charming living room was a project by Persnickety Interiorsand it’s not just the stone that makes it eye-catching but also the contrast between it and the wooden mantel shelf and the sunburst mirror.

Interior stone walls are also more likely to be seen in mountain cabins or retreats, like this charming hideaway designed by JLF Architects. In this particular case, the stone wall in the living area helps to create a sense of warmth and gives the space a certain robustness which reinforces the idea of safety and stability. In other words, the interior stone walls ground the spaces in a unique and very pleasant way.

Stone walls, where interior or exterior, have a distinctive texture and a strong presence in the room. These natural characteristics of the material can be emphasized through accent lighting, much likeMaurice Jennings + Walter Jennings Architects did when they designed this cozy bedroom that overlooks a lake.

There are a lot of cool ways to use stone in interior design and decor and you can see some of them exemplified by Peace Design in some of their projects. We’re particularly fond of the interior stone wall from the bathroom. It really highlights the zen and rustic-industrial decor of the space. Also, check out how beautiful the stone surfaces complement the reclaimed wood throughout the spaces.

Stone as a material is much more versatile than you’d think. It has a lot of potential and it adapts to suit any style. For instance, check out this contemporary mountain home designed byCharles Cunniffe Architectsin Aspen, Colorado. Stone and glass were used extensively throughout the house in various different forms and with stylish results in each case.

An interior stone wall helps to emphasize the height of this airy staircase hallway designed byAlan Mascord Design Associatesfor a contemporary lake house in Portland, Oregon. In this particular case stone is a wonderful choice of material because it also complements the water feature, helping to create a zen and tranquil ambiance and to reinforce the connection between the interior spaces and nature.

This interior wall doesn’t look anything like what we showed you so far. Well, stone comes in many different forms and varieties and can be used in interior design in lots and lots of different ways, this being one of them. What you see here is a wall covered in stacked pebble tiles. It’s a design direction chosen byKrannitz Gehl Architectswhen designing a retreat in Montana.

At this time perhaps you’re already feeling inspired to add interior stone walls on the to do list for your next renovation. So where does this stone come from? Well, some of it comes from the Delaware Quarries which have been in operation since 1758. They provide a wide range of colors, textures and varieties of stone, such as the one used on these walls.

Are some areas more suitable than others when it comes to using certain materials in their design, such as stone for example? Well, yes and no. The bathroom is an interesting case because of all the humidity but if properly sealed and cared for, an interior stone wall can look exquisite in such an environment, as shown here by Garret Cord Werner Architects.

Stone fireplace surrounds have been mentioned a few times already so let’s check out one more inspiring design idea, this time offered by Holmes Hole Builders. What we like in the case of this particular design is the worn and uneven finish of the stone and the fact that it gives the living area an authentic look inspired by the local landscape and vernacular.

Stone columns are also a very cool and very charming design option, especially if the goal is to create a warm and welcoming ambiance. You can see the idea materialized in this open plan kitchen and living area where it’s complemented by wood-clad walls and matching floors and ceilings.

In order to allow the focus to be on the interior stone wall,Peter Legge Associates gave the staircase transparent glass railings and an overall design that’s simple. Also, they used concrete for the frame which matches the flooring and also the stone wall to a certain extent.

Let’s take some time to admire and to analyze the interior stone walls of this residence from Brazil, designed byAna Paula Barros. This is the perfect example with which to emphasize just how important accent lighting is for a space’s interior decor and overall ambiance. Isn’t it charming how the light highlights the stones and gives the walls a sculptural look?

Next, a rustic lakeside retreat located in Alabama. This is a project byJeffrey Dungan Architectsset on the edge of Lake Martin. It’s a very peaceful and welcoming retreat, with beautiful views and cozy spaces. This is the social area and as you can see, although the interior design is simple and perhaps even modest by some standards, it still has a lot of character. The stone fireplace wall plays a big role in this case.

Sometimes a home has interior stone walls for reasons different from what we mentioned so far today. An interesting example in this sense is a historic stone structure originally built in 1889 in Pals, a medieval town in the Girona province, in Spain. The structure was rehabilitated by architectGloria Duran Torrellaswho preserved as much of the original character of the dwelling as possible, this including the interior stone walls you see here.

What about structures clad entirely in stone? Can they still look modern? Well of course they can and this amazing vacation retreat set on the shores of Lake Garda in Italy is the perfect example. It was designed byTitus Bernhard Architektenand it’s basically like a modern stone fortress. The idea of the project was to create a park-like atmosphere throughout the house in order to create a strong connection between the indoor and the outdoor and between the building and its surroundings. The use of traditional building materials made that pretty easy.