What size remnant do you need?

Bathroom vanity

Typical size: About 31 by 22 inches

• Most single vanities run 30 to 36 inches wide and about 22 inches deep. Add an inch on each side if you want an overhang past the cabinet.
• The sink cut-out takes the middle of the piece, so a small vein, chip or mark near the centre often will not matter once it is cut.
• A remnant this size is common: it is usually what is left after a kitchen job, so shops tend to have several on the rack.

Double vanity

Typical size: About 61 by 22 inches

• Two sinks need width more than depth: most double vanities are 60 to 72 inches wide and stay around 22 inches deep.
• A piece this long is less common than a single vanity size, so it is worth calling ahead to ask what a shop has on hand.
• If nothing is quite long enough, some shops can seam two pieces; ask when you call.

Bar or coffee counter

Typical size: About 48 by 26 inches

• A bar or coffee run is usually narrower and shorter than a kitchen counter, so a shorter piece that would not suit a kitchen often fits here.
• If the piece sits against a wall, one finished edge may be enough; ask the shop which edges are polished.
• Overhangs for stools add depth, so measure your knee space before you settle on a piece.

Small island

Typical size: About 72 by 36 inches

• This is the largest of the six sizes, so fewer remnants clear it; it is worth checking more than one shop.
• An island is seen from every side, so ask about the pattern and any seams before you drive out to look.
• If a single piece is not available, some shops can match two pieces from the same slab run.

Table top

Typical size: About 48 by 30 inches

• A table top sees plates, glasses and heat more than a vanity does, so ask the shop about the finish and how it holds up to daily use.
• Rounded or eased corners are safer around a table; ask if the shop can ease an edge that is currently square.
• Thickness matters more here than on a vanity: 3 cm reads as sturdier for a tabletop than 2 cm.

Fireplace or hearth

Typical size: About 60 by 16 inches

• A hearth or surround sits close to heat, so ask the shop whether the stone and any sealant are rated for it.
• This is a narrow, long piece, so a remnant with an unusual shape can still work here even if it would not suit a vanity.
• Measure the firebox opening and the surround depth before you go; the fit matters more than the finish.

How buying a remnant works

1. 01

   Find a piece

   Filter by material, size and your ZIP. Every piece has a photo and its size in inches, and it is on the shop's rack right now.

2. 02

   Ask the shop

   Send a request from the piece, or call. The shop calls you back; a remnant is one piece, so ask them to hold it.

3. 03

   They cut and install

   The shop templates, cuts and fits the piece. When it goes, it is gone.