Unusual Ways to Personalize Concrete Countertops

The great thing about concrete countertops is that they are never cookie-cutter. They can be personalized in myriad ways, often using materials that can be found around the house or that might otherwise end up in the trash. As the following projects demonstrate, even something as common as an ordinary dinner spoon can result in amazing special effects. See these examples of what's possible when you let your imagination run wild.

Shotgun shells
Put more "bang" into your countertops by dressing them up with 12-gauge shotgun shells (emptied of their gunpowder, of course). For this stained outdoor kitchen countertop, the shells were used to embellish the bullnose edges. See more photos.

Hand-hammered spoons
Stainless steel spoons, hammered flat by hand and artistically arranged beneath an inlay of glass, form a drainboard for this farmhouse-style concrete sink. The objective was to create something that would be totally unique while blending character with functionality.

Metal shavings
Metal shavings salvaged from the floor of a machine shop can be used to create attractive spiral designs when embedded in the surface of a concrete countertop. Learn more about decorative add-ins and how to use recycled materials in your countertops.

Car gauges

A car enthusiast used concrete to help build the automotive men's room of his dreams. Embedded in the backsplash of the polished concrete vanity are three working car gauges that light up and serve as a night light. Get more details about this one-of-a-kind project.

Stainless steel inserts

Ordinary strips of stainless steel were arranged in the surface of this concrete countertop and sink to create a built-in drainboard and trivet. Get more ideas for creating stylish and functional drainboards and trivets.

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