Nicole is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design. She has 20 plus years of experience in the kitchen & bath cabinet industry/and loves assisting people in finding the perfect solution to their remodeling projects. Nicole and her husband reside in Brownstown and Cockapoo “Aero Smith”. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her family, camping on the west side of Michigan and spending time with friends.
In today’s housing market, more homeowners are choosing to stay put rather than move. With rising interest rates and limited housing inventory, it’s no surprise that remodeling has become a more attractive and practical alternative to buying a new home.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need to take on a full gut renovation to breathe new life into your kitchen or bathroom.
Sometimes, a few strategic updates are all it takes to transform the space — whether you’re planning to stay long-term or getting ready to sell.
Rather than tearing everything out, many homeowners are finding creative ways to refresh their kitchens and bathrooms on a budget and with less disruption to daily life. A thoughtful mix of aesthetic and functional upgrades can go a long way in modernizing the look and feel of your space.
Some of the most effective changes include:
You don’t have to replace your cabinetry to make it more functional, sometimes it’s just about rethinking how you use the space you already have. These small improvements not only make your kitchen or bath more efficient but also more enjoyable to live in day-to-day.
One of the most effective ways to elevate the look and feel of your kitchen or bathroom without a full remodel is by updating your countertops. Whether you choose granite, quartzite, or engineered quartz, the right stone surface offers timeless appeal, modern performance, and long-term value.
Natural stone, in particular, is prized for its one-of-a-kind beauty. With granite and quartzite, no two slabs are ever the same, each one is a unique work of art formed by nature. Whether you’re drawn to bold veining, subtle speckling, or rich color variation, there’s a stone to match every design style and palette. These materials can either serve as a show-stopping centerpiece or subtly complement other features in the room, such as cabinetry or lighting.
Granite’s enduring popularity over the decades speaks to its versatility and durability. It resists scratches, tolerates heat, and holds up beautifully to daily wear and tear when properly sealed. It’s also available in hundreds of patterns and colors, making it easy to find something that fits your style, and your home’s price point.
Of course, granite isn’t the only option. Engineered quartz offers consistency in color and pattern, along with low maintenance and non-porous performance. Quartzite, a natural stone, combines the hardness of granite with the elegant look of marble, a favorite for homeowners who want a luxury feel without high upkeep.
No matter which stone you choose, upgrading your countertops is a decision that adds beauty, function, and resale appeal. It’s also a project that scales well, whether you’re doing a small vanity refresh, replacing a kitchen island surface, or updating an entire kitchen or bath.
One of the top considerations for both homeowners and potential buyers is ease of maintenance. Fortunately, most natural and engineered stones are relatively simple to care for, especially when compared to more delicate materials like marble or soapstone.
For everyday cleaning, a soft cloth and mild dish soap are often all that’s needed. Specialty stone cleaners are also available for those who want a little extra shine or protection. Avoiding harsh abrasives or acidic products will help preserve the stone’s finish and prevent long-term damage.
Properly sealed granite and quartzite offer excellent resistance to staining, especially from common kitchen culprits like oils and sauces. And if a stain does happen, many can be removed with a simple DIY poultice. Best of all, these materials continue to look beautiful year after year with minimal effort.
Whether you’re remodeling for everyday enjoyment or preparing to sell, the same thoughtful updates can enhance your living experience and appeal to prospective buyers. In 2024–25, kitchens and bathrooms consistently rank among the top renovation projects for ROI, offering strong returns even on modest investments according to the Journal of Light Construction.
Simply put: minor to midrange makeovers pay off most.
These updates not only make your home more functional and beautiful now, but also send the right signals to buyers — that everything is clean, modern, and well maintained.
Even if you don’t plan to sell soon, keeping your home well-maintained, attractive, and functional protects its long-term value. In a high-interest, limited-inventory market, this kind of renovation plays double duty: you get the day-to-day living benefits and the piece of mind that comes with knowing your home is in excellent condition, whenever you do decide to sell
While kitchen renovations tend to get the spotlight, don’t overlook the potential of using natural or engineered stone in other areas of the home. A granite or quartz vanity top can completely transform a dated bathroom, and with smaller surface areas, remnant slabs often make these projects more affordable than you might think.
These materials also shine in:
Many fabricators (including Great Lakes Granite and Marble) offer a wide selection of remnants, perfect for these smaller projects, especially if you’re also doing a kitchen and may have leftover stone from that installation.
These strategic upgrades not only help you enjoy your home more, they also signal quality and thoughtful maintenance to potential buyers, especially in spaces like bathrooms, which are key to both comfort and resale value.
At Great Lakes Granite and Marble, we help homeowners make the most of their remodeling budget by offering a curated selection of premium stone, expert fabrication, and seamless installation, all under one roof. Whether you’re dreaming of a statement island in quartzite or updating a bathroom vanity with timeless granite, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
Working with an experienced project manager and fabrication team ensures that every detail, from edge profile to slab layout, is handled with care and expertise. We help you choose finishes that highlight your stone’s natural beauty, while also maximizing material use and minimizing visible seams.
If you’re on a timeline or budget (and really, who isn’t?), our in-house team helps keep your project on track and on schedule, without unexpected costs or delays.
You don’t have to move to fall in love with your home again. Sometimes, a few smart, well-executed upgrades are all it takes to enhance both your daily living and your home’s long-term value.
