You’ve been dreaming about updating your kitchen for years, and you want one that would make even top celebrity chefs a little jealous. You see gleaming, high-end countertops, a massive island, and all the latest gadgets — including a pot filler and farmhouse sink — in your future, but after looking at your finances, you find you’ll need to update your kitchen on a budget.
Don’t despair! The good news is you can use stone remnants to save yourself some money and still get an upscale look.
Stone remnants are the pieces of natural stones of various sizes that are leftover in the countertop fabrication process. Many fabricators hold on to the remnants to avoid wasting even small pieces of their products, and you can upcycle them as part of a home renovation project.
Ways to Use Stone Remnants as Part of a Renovation
Before looking at how to use stone remnants, you need to know the natural stones that are commonly used in fabrication. There are various stones with colors and details that you might like to see on your next kitchen island, including:
- Soapstone
- Granite
- Limestone
- Marble
- Onyx
- Quartzite
- Travertine
Upcycling stone remnants is a great way to remain eco-friendly and save on costs during renovations. Here’s a look at a few ways to use them:
Bathroom and Kitchen Countertops
You can save a lot of money on natural stone countertops by using stone remnants to complete your kitchen or bathroom projects. You can match the stones in your kitchen and bathroom or use different stones in each.
Kitchen Island
If you’re dreaming of a large kitchen island with a luxurious natural stone top, you might be able to find a piece of stone remnant large enough to do the job. They come in all sizes and shapes, so you can let your creative side shine when designing your project.
Backsplash
Leftover pieces from stone slabs can always be trimmed down to create custom backsplashes or shower tiles, giving your spaces unique focal points that you’ll be proud to use every day and show off to your guests. These tiles can be created from the same remnants you’re using for your countertops or from complimentary slabs for contrast.
Windowsills
Smaller pieces of stone remnants can be cut to work as windowsills or soap trays, a small detail piece that can really elevate the look of your home. These can be added in eye-catching places, too, like above the sink or the windows in a breakfast nook.
Benefits of Using Remnants in Your Home
The idea of stone remnants might be new to you, leaving you wondering about the benefits of using them in your home. Here are a few perks of choosing natural stone remnants for your home:
1. Eco-Friendly
When you use natural stone remnants in a renovation, you’re upcycling something that might otherwise get tossed out. Keeping the scraps out of a landfill helps make sure your home projects are more earth-friendly and sustainable.
2. Save Money
You can save money by choosing stone remnants over complete slabs. You still need to pay to have the pieces cut to the correct sizes — and to include space for sinks and faucets — but using a remnant means you stay within your budget. They give you the chance to use the same high-quality stone without paying as much for it: For example, you might pay $30 per square foot on natural stone remnants versus $100 per square foot on the upper end of an entire slab of marble.
3. High-End Quality
Whether you choose to use quartz, marble, or granite remnants to create a gorgeous kitchen island, countertop, or backsplash, you’re getting the same high-quality product that you’d get if you bought an entire slab. You get all the beauty and unique patterns of an entire slab, but you’re only paying for what you’re using.
How to Buy Stone Remnants
The first step is deciding you want to use stone remnants in your projects. After that, you need to know what you’re looking for in terms of scope and quality. Here’s a look at some elements to consider when purchasing stone remnants.
1. Define the Project
What exactly do you want to do with the remnants? You need to know how you’re going to use them before buying. Once you decide on a project, take precise measurements so you can find a piece of natural stone large enough to suit your needs.
2. Refine the Details
You’ll want to have an idea of the type of natural stone you want to use, such as marble or quartz, as well as a color and marbling pattern to narrow down your options before heading to the fabrication site. A little flexibility is good in case you find a deal, and you’ll want to remain open to shifting gears based on availability.
3. Gather up Samples
When you go to pick out your remnants, you want to take samples of your tile and photos of your cabinets. You can use these photos and samples to show to the salesperson so they can help you match remnants with colors already being used in your home.
4. Get an Estimate
There is more to the costs involved in this type of project than just purchasing the remnants, of course. You’ll need to add in the cost of cutting them to fit your needs, then transport and installation. It’s always a good idea to work with a provider that offers you a free quote so you can be sure the project stays within your budget.
Ready to Purchase Natural Stone Remnants?
Working with stone remnants can help you accomplish many projects from vanity tops to backsplashes. There are many types from which to choose for your project, and many benefits like getting high quality for less and helping the environment.
At A&S Home Interiors, we’re ready to help you with your stone remnants project. Contact us today to learn more.
