Installing new quartz countertops can give your kitchen or bathroom a fresh, modern look. Quartz is an engineered stone made from crushed quartz bonded together with resin for a hard, nonporous surface. It’s durable, low-maintenance, and available in a wide range of colors and patterns.
When your quartz countertop is custom cut to fit your space, it will inevitably leave some leftover pieces. Rather than throwing those cutouts away, there are lots of creative ways to repurpose them around your home. Here are some ideas for giving the remnants a second life.
Use Quartz Pieces as Backsplashes
One of the most popular uses for quartz cutouts is to create coordinating backsplashes. The countertop and backsplash are often made from the same material for a cohesive look. If you have extra pieces left over from cutting your countertop, consider using them to make a custom backsplash.
Measure the area behind your sink or stove where you want to install the backsplash. Cut the quartz pieces to fit the space. You can make one long backsplash or do a geometric or marble-look design with different sized squares and rectangles. Use tile adhesive to affix the quartz pieces to the wall. Then apply grout between the seams.
The advantage of using leftover quartz instead of ceramic or glass tile is that you’ll have a perfect color match with your existing countertop. Quartz backsplashes are also easier to clean and more resistant to damage.
Fashion Quartz Into Coasters
Quartz absorbs very little moisture, making it an ideal material for drink coasters. Protect your tables from water rings by cutting circles out of the quartz remnants.
Use a compass and pencil to trace rounds onto the backside of the quartz. A diamond-bladed wet saw works best for accurately cutting the coasters to size. Smooth the edges with sandpaper. The coasters do not require any additional finishing or sealing. They can be used as-is.
For a nicer look, apply felt pads to the bottom of each coaster. Or affix small rubber feet to keep them from sliding around. Etching designs, monograms, or logos into the quartz can create custom branded coasters for gifts.
Make Trivets for Hot Dishes
Quartz is heat-resistant, so the cutouts can be fashioned into trivets and hot pads. Simply cut the material into square, round, or rectangular shapes. Add some cork or felt on the bottom to prevent scratching your countertops or table.
Use trivets made from leftover quartz to:
- Protect counters and tables when setting down hot pans and dishes
- Provide a heat-safe surface for placing food coming out of the oven
- Stand curling irons or other heated hair tools on bathroom counters
- Allow a hot teapot or coffee carafe to sit
- Use as a surface for rolling dough or pie crusts
Trivets made from quartz remnants provide all the functionality of ceramic, wood, or metal trivets with the sleek, modern look of your countertops.
Create Serving Trays
For an easy project, remove the bullnose edging from your scrap pieces to create smooth, flat rectangles. These can then be used as chic serving trays.
Cut various sizes of trays – some large enough for serving dinner plates or platters, and smaller ones for appetizers or desserts. The nonporous quartz provides an ideal surface that won’t harbor bacteria and is simple to clean.
You can leave the trays plain or decorate them:
- Sandblast a pattern or logo into the surface
- Stencil on designs with glass paint
- Affix ceramic tiles or metal medallions for ornamentation
- Use a router to carve decorative edges
- Inlay crushed glass or shells in resin for a shimmery effect
Serving trays made from the same quartz as your countertop bring a cohesive, polished look when entertaining guests. They also make wonderful housewarming or hostess gifts.
Build a Mosaic Tabletop
For an artsy project, break or cut the pieces into smaller shards and create a mosaic tabletop. Use the varied quartz remnants to make shapes, patterns, borders, or medallions.
Some options for mosaic tables:
- Octagon side table or accent table
- Entryway table or console
- Outdoor patio or bistro table
- Plant stand
- Bar or kitchen island
Adhere the quartz pieces to the tabletop surface with thinset mortar or construction adhesive. Then apply grout between the shards. The table will have the appearance of mosaic tile but with a thicker, more durable quartz surface. Using leftover quartz ensures you’ll have plenty of material to cover a tabletop without having to purchase more.
Fashion Candle Holders
The quartz remnants can be carved into sculptural candle holders and lamp bases. Using a diamond blade on a rotary tool, carefully shape the material into curved, fluted, or geometric shapes. Hollow out the center to hold a candle or light bulb.
Some creative ways to use sculpted quartz candle holders:
- Intricate candelabras for the dining table
- Simple tea light luminaries to line pathways
- Sturdy bases for pillar candles
- Night lights or sconces for the bathroom vanity
- Outdoor lantern lights for the patio
The transparency of quartz creates a lovely warm glow when lit from within. Custom candle holders make wonderful gifts and can be paired with scented candles or essential oils.
Build Step Risers for Storage
Short leftover pieces of quartz work nicely as risers for DIY storage projects. They can be used to create stair-stepped organizers for everything from books to spices to cosmetics.
Some ways to utilize quartz risers:
- Tiered bookends
- Desktop organizer for office supplies
- Drawer dividers for utensils or jewelry
- Countertop organizer for candles, lipsticks, perfumes
- Fridge or pantry storage for condiments and spices
- Shelves for displaying collectibles and knickknacks
Having multiple “steps” creates lots of storage nooks while taking up minimal surface area. The quartz remnants provide a sturdy base that looks great and wipes clean easily.
Use Small Pieces to Make Jewelry
With quartz’s dazzling array of colors, the cutouts are perfect for making jewelry. Tumble small shards of quartz into smooth gemstones. Drill holes into flat pieces to create pendants, beads, or rings.
Some ways to transform quartz remnants into wearable art:
- Wire wrap raw or tumbled pieces into pendants
- Glue shards onto cufflinks or necktie pins
- Inlay pieces into wood to make ornamental bracelets or necklaces
- Layer and seal fragments into resin for abstract rings, earrings, or bangles
Leftover bits from rare earth-toned quartz like rose quartz or smoky citrine make especially unique jewelry. Even small slivers can become vibrant one-of-a-kind accessories.
Have Quartz Cutouts Made into Knives
Since quartz is nonporous, it’s resistant to damage from exposure to things like acids and oils. This makes it an ideal material for making cutlery, especially kitchen knives. Though quartz is not as hard as many types of steel, it can be sharpened into very fine, durable blades.
Take your leftover quartz pieces to a professional stone cutter or knife maker to have them transformed into custom blades. Quartz makes striking handles for:
- Chef’s knives
- Paring or utility knives
- Steak knives
- Bread knives
Knife handles fashioned from your remnant quartz will perfectly match your kitchen or outdoor grill area.
Create Decorative Bookends
Bookends are a practical way to repurpose small quartz cutouts while adding style to your library or office. Simply glue pieces onto wooden blocks or attach them directly to the ends of a board cut to the dimensions of your books.
Some ways to make decorative bookends:
- Affix a quartz tile to each end of a block of wood
- Adhere shards in abstract shapes for artsy bookends
- Inlay pieces into wood for a mosaic or geometric design
- Shape and polish pieces using a tile saw and sandpaper
- Etch monograms or designs into smooth quartz rectangles
Whether you choose sleek, modern squares or funky carved shapes, quartz bookends will keep your favorite titles organized while showing off your unique style.
Create Abstract Wall Art
With quartz available in so many colors, patterns, finishes and textures, the cutouts present limitless possibilities for abstract wall art. Get creative with jazzing up canvases, wood plaques, mirrors, and more.
Some ideas for one-of-a-kind wall hangings:
- Glue various shards in artistic designs onto canvases
- Shape pieces using a wet saw, then wire wrap them into sculptural forms
- Arrange fragments inside shadow boxes or picture frames
- Affix slices onto found objects like old window panes or latticed wood
- Inlay pieces into wood or clay sculptures
Let your imagination run wild and create abstract masterpieces showcasing the unique properties of your leftover quartz. They’ll spark conversations when hung anywhere in your home.
Make Pet Feeding Dishes
The nonporous, bacteria-resistant surface of quartz makes it paw-fect for pet feeding dishes. Simply cut shallow bowls out of your remnants to create durable, easy-to-clean food and water dishes.
For cats and small dogs, use a tile saw to cut out small semicircular bowls from a quartz slab. Affix felt pads on the bottom to prevent scratches and slipping.
For larger dogs, make rectangular feeders by cutting down pieces to an appropriate height. Round and smooth any sharp corners and edges to protect your pup.
Benefits of quartz pet feeding dishes:
- Nonporous to resist bacteria growth
- Stainproof and easy to clean
- Durable and crack-resistant
- Non-leaching and chemically inert
- Dishwasher safe for simple sanitizing
- Stylish accent that matches your décor
Pamper your pet with smart, safe quartz bowls.
Add Dimension to Garden Pathways
Quartz’s resistance to weathering makes the remnants ideal for embellishing outdoor walkways and gardens. Incorporate pieces into pathways or as decorative accents.
Some ways to use quartz in garden landscaping:
- Line a path with shards and pebbles
- Arrange fragments in mosaic designs
- Create borders along beds and lawns
- Form shards into abstract sculptures or features
- Use pieces as decorative stepping stones
- Make quartz-filled gabion baskets as dividers
With proper substrate and drainage, quartz remnants can handle any climate. They’ll provide a touch of modern charm to your outdoor retreat.
Upcycle into Vases
Your leftover quartz can easily be shaped into elegant vases. Use a diamond bladed wet saw to carefully hollow out the center of a rectangular slab. Then smooth and polish the cut edges.
For decorative accents, consider:
- Etching or sandblasting patterns into the quartz exterior
- Applying glass paint or food-safe glazes
- Drilling holes for attaching copper tubes or wires
- Adding a colored resin interior before hollowing out the vase
Once any finishing details are complete, watertight quartz vases can be used to hold:
- Fresh flower arrangements
- Houseplants like orchids or air plants
- Twigs, rocks, sand, or other natural materials
- Pillar candles surrounded by decorative Fillers
Upcycled quartz vases lend a striking, contemporary look to coffee and console tables, bathroom counters, bedroom dressers, and more.
Craft Wine Bottle Holders
Quartz remnants can also easily be repurposed as holders for wine or champagne bottles. Use a core drill bit to make clean even holes in a piece of quartz. Then smooth the edges with sandpaper. Apply felt or rubber pads to the bottom to protect surfaces.
Ideas for quartz wine holders:
- Make different sized holes to hold various bottle types
- Stack multiple quartz pieces with holes in ascending sizes
- Add etched or sandblasted designs around the openings
- Shape pieces into curved abstract forms
Free-standing quartz bottle holders make impressive gifts for wine lovers. They also add modern flair to bars and kitchens when staging bottles.
Create One-of-a-Kind Flooring
With quartz’s durability and water-resistance, it can make unique flooring or tiles in a wet room like a bathroom or laundry. Use a tile saw to cut pieces to desired sizes. Apply mortar to adhere tiles to the subfloor. Then grout the seams.
Some ideas for quartz flooring:
- Geometric or mosaic tile patterns
- Borders along walls or niches
- Bold abstract designs
- Floor inlays inside another floor surface
- “Rug” made from quartz remnants placed on another floor
One-of-a-kind quartz tiles lend interest underfoot and coordinate beautifully with quartz counters or walls. The leftover pieces offer an eco-friendly way to extend your surface design onto the floor.
Make Custom Stone Chess Sets
Quartz’s wide color palette allows you to get creative with crafting custom chess sets. Use your darker remnants for the black pieces and lighter ones for white.
Cut cylinders for the pawns, then shape the other pieces – kings, queens, bishops, rooks, and knights – out of rectangular blocks. Consider carving unique designs into each piece to distinguish them. Then polish well so they’ll shine on the chess board.
Quartz chess sets make wonderful gifts for the cerebral folks in your life. They provide a meaningful keepsake by repurposing material from your own home.
Add Striking Quartz Inlays to Furniture
Small leftover quartz pieces can be used to adorn all types of household furnishings. Inlay them into tables, cabinets, shelves, and more for an eye-catching detail.
Some ways to incorporate quartz inlays:
- Add a mosaic tile design onto a coffee table surface
- Use shards to create abstract patterns on a cabinet face
- Make geometric medallions or borders on furniture bases
- Inlay pieces into drawer fronts for decorative handles
- Apply quartz remnants around mirror edges
The brilliant colors and textures of real quartz stand out as distinctive inlays and insets on any type of woodwork. Upcycling remnants adds character to rooms throughout your home.
Share Leftovers with DIY-er Friends
If the pieces are too small to work with or you’re short on time for crafting, share the wealth! Offer leftovers to friends, family, or community groups who work on DIY, crafts, home improvement, or community projects.
Some people who could put quartz cutouts to use:
- Siblings or parents doing their own kitchen remodels
- Crafty friends making home décor items
- Community center youth programs for projects
- Relatives with creative hobbies like jewelry-making
- Neighbors renovating their homes on a budget
Spread the love and allow others to upcycle your excess pieces into something special!
Donate to Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Another option for leftovers is donating them to Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations. This nonprofit accepts donations of new and used building materials to raise money for constructing affordable housing for those in need.
Call your local Habitat ReStore to see if they accept donated quartz remnants. They may be interested in smaller pieces to use for projects like:
- Mosaic backsplashes
- Floor tile inlays
- Faux stone decorative items
- Crafts or gifts made and sold in their stores
By giving your cutouts to Habitat ReStores, you help increase access to affordable housing options while reducing landfill waste. It’s a socially-conscious way to share unused quartz.
Create Striking Quartz Crushed Glass
Small slivers of quartz can be placed inside a heavy-duty plastic bag and smashed with a hammer to create crushed glass. The sparkly quartz pieces can add shimmer and texture in many fun DIY projects.
Some ways to use DIY crushed quartz glass:
- Add to garden walkways or potted plant soil for a glittery finish
- Fill jars or vases for decorative accents
- Incorporate into mosaic arts and crafts
- Mix with paints or epoxy resin to create dazzling finishes
- Coat outdoor planters and garden features
- Toss onto candle wax for texture when candles melt
With all the glam and flash of glass complements, crushed quartz glass is safer for pets because it has no sharp edges. Give new life to every speck of leftover material.
Final Thoughts
Installing new counters provides the perfect chance to add beautiful quartz surfaces to your home. But instead of discarding the remnants that come from sizing and cutting your countertops, put those leftovers to use! With a little imagination and elbow grease, you can upcycle quartz fragments into amazing accessories and accents for your home and garden.
So before your fabricator carts away those cutouts, call and ask to keep them. Get creative with these tips for repurposing quartz to make lamps, jewelry, pet dishes, wall art, and many more functional and decorative items. Your trash could become someone else’s treasure! By giving the pieces a second life, you can reduce waste while showcasing more of the quartz material you love.