Creative Ways To Use Remnants For Small Projects and Home Accents
As a design consultant who has helped hundreds of Twin Cities homeowners transform their spaces at All American Granite, I’ve discovered that some of the most impactful home upgrades come from the smallest pieces of premium stone. Those beautiful remnants left over from larger projects—pieces of granite, quartz, marble, quartzite, or soapstone—hold unlimited potential for adding luxury touches throughout your home at a fraction of the cost of full slabs.
At All American Granite, we’ve carefully curated our Boutique Stone Selects collection—over 250 premium stone remnants that allow homeowners to add high-end finishes to smaller projects without purchasing entire slabs. I’m excited to share some of my favorite creative applications for these versatile stone pieces.
Indoor Project Ideas for Smaller Stone Slabs
1. Bathroom Vanity Tops
Powder rooms and guest bathrooms are perfect candidates for remnant pieces. With typically smaller footprints than kitchen counters, bathroom vanities can be crafted from remnant pieces while maintaining the luxurious feel of natural stone. A remnant of Carrara marble or polished quartzite can transform a basic bathroom into a spa-like retreat.
2. Kitchen Accent Surfaces
For bakers, consider adding a marble remnant to a portion of your kitchen island as a designated pastry station. The naturally cool surface is ideal for working with dough, and the visual contrast with your main countertops adds designer appeal.
3. Custom Serving Trays and Charcuterie Boards
One of my personal’ favorite remnant applications is custom serving pieces. A polished granite or quartzite remnant can be cut and finished with elegant edges to create stunning charcuterie boards, serving trays, or trivets that showcase the stone’s natural beauty while being completely food-safe.
4. Floating Shelves
Thin cuts of granite or quartz can be fabricated into elegant floating shelves for kitchens, bathrooms, or living areas. These statement pieces provide both function and visual interest, especially when installed with hidden brackets for a seamless look.
5. Home Office Desk Surfaces
With many people working from home, a custom stone desktop offers durability and elegance to your workspace. A remnant piece can cover a standard desk surface or be fabricated into a sturdy metal or wood frame.
6. Window Sills and Ledges
Replace ordinary painted wood window sills with water-resistant stone for a luxurious upgrade, especially in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture resistance is important. It’s a perfect place for a small plants to grow without worrying about water damage.
7. Coffee Table Tops
Breathe new life into an old coffee table by replacing its surface with a stunning piece of granite or quartzite. The natural patterns and durability make it a conversation piece that will last for generations.
8. Fireplace Surrounds and Hearths
A stone hearth or fireplace surround adds both value and visual weight to your living space. Darker granites and quartzites work particularly well for this application, creating a dramatic focal point in any room.
9. Custom Coasters and Trays
Small remnant pieces can be cut into coasters that complement your larger stone surfaces. These practical accessories protect furniture while showcasing the beauty of your chosen stone.
10. Laundry Room Countertops
Functional spaces deserve beautiful surfaces too! A remnant piece can transform your laundry area into a more inviting workspace while providing a durable surface for folding clothes and other household tasks.
Outdoor Remnant Project Ideas
11. Garden Stepping Stones
Polished granite or quartzite remnants can be fabricated into unique stepping stones for garden pathways. Unlike concrete pavers, natural stone stepping stones develop a beautiful patina over time and remain colorfast for decades.
12. Outdoor Bar Surfaces
Entertain in style with a stone-topped outdoor bar. Granite and quartzite are particularly well-suited for outdoor applications due to their exceptional durability and resistance to Minnesota’s challenging climate conditions.
13. Built-in Grill Surrounds
Upgrade your outdoor cooking area with stone countertops surrounding your grill. Not only does this create valuable prep space, but natural stone also provides superior heat resistance compared to other materials.
14. Garden Table Tops
Refurbish outdoor furniture by replacing worn surfaces with weather-resistant stone tops. A small bistro table topped with granite creates an elegant outdoor dining nook built to withstand Minnesota’s seasonal changes.
15. Address Markers
Create a lasting first impression with a custom stone address marker for your home. Darker stones with contrasting engraved and painted numbers ensure visibility while adding distinctive curb appeal.
Design Tips for Working with Stone Remnants
When incorporating stone remnants into your home, consider these professional design tips:
- Contrast is key – Sometimes the most striking design features come from intentional contrast. Consider pairing a remnant of a different color or pattern with your main countertops for visual interest.
- Edge profiles matter – The edge treatment you select can dramatically change the appearance of your stone piece. From simple eased edges to more elaborate ogee or waterfall profiles, the right edge enhances the overall design.
- Think beyond horizontal surfaces – Stone remnants can be used vertically as backsplashes, wall accents, or even art pieces when mounted properly.
- Match your home’s existing aesthetic – While contrast works, ensure your remnant projects complement your home’s overall design language for a cohesive look.
Boutique Stone Selects – Special Promotional Pricing
Ready to transform your home with these creative remnant ideas? All American Granite’s Boutique Stone Selects collection offers premium quality quartz, granite, marble, and quartzite remnants at special promotional pricing.
What makes our remnant program special:
- No need to purchase an entire slab for your smaller project
- Perfect for vanities, bars, small bathrooms, laundry tables, half baths, and more
- Pricing is per square foot with NO minimum purchase required
- Price INCLUDES the stone, professional measurement, precision fabrication, and installation
- Over 250 unique remnants currently in stock
- Every piece is premium quality – we never use standard slabs or quarry seconds
This sale is limited to in-stock inventory. Visit our Burnsville showroom today to browse our extensive selection and reserve your perfect remnant before it’s gone!
The All American Granite Difference
As a woman-owned and locally operated countertop company serving the Greater Minneapolis-Saint Paul area, All American Granite takes pride in helping homeowners realize their vision through premium materials and exceptional craftsmanship. Our partnerships with 10 Twin Cities area slab selection centers ensure unparalleled variety for both full-slab projects and our unique remnant collection.
We understand that even small projects deserve the same attention to detail as complete kitchen renovations. That’s why we apply the same exacting standards to our remnant fabrication as we do to our full custom countertops.
Ready to explore the possibilities? Contact our design team today or visit our Burnsville showroom to see our extensive collection of Boutique Stone Selects and start planning your next remnant project.