There are many materials, natural and synthetic, used in home design these days. They vary in price and quality, and many of them would make a fine addition to any home. But you'll probably agree that there are few materials that bring up the quality and elegance of a room like granite and marble. The applications vary, and you can use the stone for much more than just tile or countertops. If you want luxury in your home without the high maintenance, these two stones are a perfect fit.

Granite Counter and Vanity Tops

You can make a bold statement with granite counter and vanity tops. The richness, depth, and shine of granite in a kitchen or bathroom is incomparable. Even in a tiny guest bathroom or a galley kitchen, granite is a prime investment. It's solid with a high resistance to wear from everyday use. It's also a popular choice among homeowners and will improve the value of your home and be a bonus should you ever choose to sell. And should you stay in your home for years, it's one upgrade you won't need to change any time soon.

Granite and Marble Fireplaces

A small yet bold addition to a living room, bedroom, or another room in the house is a granite or marble fireplace mantle. Crowning your fireplace in one of these stones will make it look like the main rooms of mansions during the Gilded Age. The curvaceous veining of marble adds a graceful touch to what can be a harsh and sometimes unattractive aspect of a room. Granite with its sparkle and shine will take your fireplace from average to amazing. Either stone can turn a plain fireplace into a dazzling focal point.

Granite and Marble Sinks and Basins

Granite and marble may not automatically come to mind when you think of sinks. These, along with other stones, are becoming popular additions to bathrooms. Granite sinks come in a variety of styles and look just as luxurious as a granite countertop. You can find regular sink styles as well as pedestal sinks. The more modern basin-style sinks are also available in various shapes, including popular angular styles. Marble always has a softer, more feminine quality to it than granite. This is no less obvious in marble sinks. Cut from one piece of marble, these basins have a seamless look that brings out the spa of any bathroom. A sink may be a smaller investment than a countertop or fireplace mantle, but it can hold the same value and be just as elegant.

Granite and marble have few rivals in the world of stone. They have both been used in design, sometimes of entire structures, throughout the ages. The time-tested strength, resilience, and beauty of granite and marble leaves no doubt that adding even a small amount of either stone to your home will add value to it and bring you satisfaction every day. If you haven't already, think about the ways granite or marble may fit in your home. It's sure to add elegance and luxury wherever you place it.