Granite is a cost-effective choice for kitchen countertops, according to one designer.Cindy Raskin of Design Concepts in Ohio says budget-minded homeowners can make smart choices to keep costs down.In an article for Home and Garden Television (HGTV) she advises those looking to spend as little as possible to consider replacing just a section of the countertop.Put the biggest wow factor on your island, she states. Mixing finishes is the hottest thing going. Other cost-cutting tips she gives include going with black, searching local suppliers for remnants and using thin-cut slabs.Installing a granite tile backsplash can also give the look of a million-dollar kitchen for less than a grand, Ms Raskin adds.HGTV last month reported that choosing classic colours will give a kitchen a timeless look.It said that neutrals arent the only classic colours and suggested using intense colours in small amounts.