Education & Inspiration

Other Uses For Natural Stone: Beyond the Kitchen Countertop

The most common uses of natural stone are kitchen and bathroom countertops, but these natural works of art can transform many other spaces in your home and business. In 30+ years, we’ve seen stone go far beyond the kitchen — and we love a challenge.

Outdoor Kitchen1 April 2024
Why It Works

Natural Stone Works for Far More Than You Think

Natural stone is a beautiful alternative to hardwood, tile, and in some cases masonry. Granite, marble, and quartzite are incredibly durable and will stand up to the test of time — as well as weather in outdoor applications.

When considering the cost, remember that natural stone holds its value over time. This often makes it equivalent or better than options that need replacing sooner.

30+

Years fabricating natural stone in Michigan

1,700+

Materials on display in our Redford showroom

Outdoor Kitchen Fireplace April 2024
The Most Common Uses Outside of Countertops

Surfaces & Furniture

Marble Coffee Table
Furniture

Marble & Granite Tables

Granite and marble tables are available at most furniture retailers — but a custom fabricated table lets you control every detail: dimensions, base style, material, edge profile, and pattern.

Granite Cube
Detail Piece

Cubes & Side Tables

A stone ‘cube’ creates a full box — starting with a wood frame in the desired dimensions, then cladding it in natural stone. Pattern flow and edge alignment are critical: the finished piece reads as a single continuous block of stone.

Natural Stone Bar Counter Top
Entertaining

Bar Tops

A granite bar top is durable and lets you add personality to your entertaining space. Natural stone handles glasses, bottles, and spills with minimal maintenance while adding sophistication. Marble can also work for bar tops, though it’s more porous and softer—similar to wood, it needs a bit more care, but many appreciate marble’s natural characteristics and the patina it develops over time.

Design Idea

Consider a dual-height bar design — prep surface for the bartender, clean upper countertop for guests to relax.

Statement Design

Dramatic Design Features

Trending Now

Waterfall Edges & Islands

One of the most striking trends in stone design is the waterfall edge — where the countertop material flows down the sides of an island or peninsula, creating a continuous cascade of stone from the surface to the floor.

Why waterfall edges make an impact:

Works beautifully with heavily veined quartzite and marble. Equally stunning in kitchens, home offices, and reception areas.

Island with waterfall edge
Vertical Applications

Stone Goes Beyond the Horizontal Surface

Full Height Backsplash
Wall Applications

Full-Height Backsplashes

Gone are the days of the standard 4-inch backsplash. Today’s designs often extend the countertop material all the way up the wall to the cabinets — or even to the ceiling.

Pro Tip: Ask about bookmatching your backsplash to your countertop for a perfectly continuous pattern.

Skara Brae Lifestyle
Vertical Stone

Accent & Feature Walls

Natural stone isn’t just for horizontal surfaces. A stone accent wall transforms any room into a statement space with depth and texture no paint or wallpaper can replicate.

Back Lit Onyx Stone Sushi Bar
Illuminated Stone

Backlit Stone Features

One of the most dramatic applications for natural stone is backlighting. Certain stones — particularly onyx, Cristallo quartzite, and other translucent varieties — can be paired with LED panels to create a stunning, glowing effect.

The Finishing Touches

Small Details, Big Impact

Windowsill
Detail

Window Sills

Natural stone window sills add a refined, finished look while providing a durable surface that won’t warp, rot, or deteriorate like wood.

Bathroom Wall Cap
Transition

Thresholds & Saddles

Stone thresholds serve both functional and aesthetic purposes — installed in doorways between rooms with different flooring materials or at bathroom entries.

Silver Lake Quartz Laundry Countertop
Underrated

Laundry Room Countertops

The laundry room is one of the most underrated spaces for natural stone. A countertop above your washer and dryer creates a durable surface for folding, sorting, and treating stains.

Budget Tip: Ask us about remnant inventory — leftover stone from larger kitchen projects at a fraction of the cost.

Bathroom

Beyond the Vanity: The Full Stone Shower

Shower Benches & Seats

A stone bench adds both function and luxury to a walk-in shower. Options range from floating ledges that appear to extend seamlessly from the wall to corner seats and full bench installations. Stone benches provide a spa-like touch to your daily routine.

Niches & Built-In Shelves

Built-in stone niches provide stylish storage for toiletries while eliminating the need for hanging caddies. A stone niche can match your shower walls or offer an accent in a complementary material. Multiple niches at different heights accommodate everything from shampoo bottles to razors.

Shower Curbs

The threshold at the shower entry can be fabricated from the same stone as your countertop, creating design continuity throughout the bathroom. It’s one of those small choices that makes the whole room feel intentional.

Marble Slab Bathroom Shower
Outdoor Living

Stone Belongs Outside, Too

Granite and natural stone are unaffected by rain, snow, or direct heat. Whatever you’re building outside, stone belongs in it.

Emperador-Marble-Fireplace

Indoor & Outdoor Fireplaces

Natural stone transforms fireplaces into focal points. Granite or marble exclusively from floor to ceiling creates a sleek, modern look. Stacked stone surrounds with a marble hearth are a classic. Outdoor fireplaces handle any climate.

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Outdoor Kitchens & BBQ

Regardless of climate, a built-in grill with a granite surround is a great investment. Granite is easy to maintain outdoors – it’s unaffected by rain or snow, you can set hot tools directly on the surface, and it cleans up easily.

Venturing Outside the Common

Commercial, Artistic & Truly One-of-a-Kind

Kirco DOW Interior Granite Cubical
Office & Commercial

Conference Tables & Desks

A natural stone conference table or home office desk looks sleek, professional, and is incredibly durable. No water rings from glasses, no etch marks from pens. The customization options are endless: rectangular, square, round, or boat-shaped. You can integrate power outlets if needed for a functional yet streamlined design. 

DOW Interior Granite Counter
High-Traffic Spaces

Commercial Foyers & Lobbies

Whether in a home, office building, or hotel, the foyer creates the first impression. Granite is one of the hardest materials for high-traffic areas — extremely durable while providing a beautiful aesthetic. Custom inlay work can include company logos and branded patterns.

UofM Stone Logo
One-of-a-Kind

Unique Artistic Applications

Some stone projects defy category. We’ve fabricated the iconic Maize M outside Michigan Stadium from Blue Pearl granite imported from Norway. We’ve also milled granite panels for a private jet — engineered thin and laminated to lightweight backing for in-flight installation.

If you can imagine it, we’re probably up for the challenge.

Ready to Think Beyond Countertops?

Let's Talk About Your Project

Whether you’re envisioning a backlit bar for your basement, laundry room remnant stone, a waterfall island, or a custom conference table — our team loves creative projects. Stop by our Redford showroom to see 1,700+ materials and talk through your ideas with a project manager.