7 Tips for DIY Kitchen Countertops
Kitchen countertops are of one the visually appealing elements in your kitchen. They can either be an attractive highlight in your kitchen or an unwelcoming sight, especially if not well taken care of. The truth is, countertops take up a great deal of wear and tear over many years of use, and often require refurbishment or replacement at some point. As a functional centerpiece of your kitchen, you’ll want your countertop to look stylish and remain functional for long.
However, with countertop installation costs averaging $2,919, plus additional factors to consider like the removal of the existing countertop, cabinet preparation, shaping, polishing and sealing, it’s easy to see why most homeowners are opting for DIY kitchen countertop hacks. We can only think of two reasons why: money savings and desired results.
Replacing your countertops with a new and expensive option isn’t always an option. Here, we’re going to look at 7 creative and affordable ways you can update your old kitchen countertops.
Transform Your Countertops With Paint
Painting your old countertop is perhaps one of the easiest and most inexpensive makeovers you can do with a big impact. Paint kits are recommended for countertops that are still in good shape but look outdated. There are many options you can choose from to get that high-end look and effect of natural stone like granite, marble, or even soapstone. It all depends on the type of look you want to achieve: a classic, modern luxurious, or warm contemporary look.
This DIY kitchen countertop painting process involves cleaning the old countertop thoroughly, prepping it to fill in holes and cracks, and painting it with your desired color. Dabbing and coating of the painted countertop are crucial steps to get a better finish, after which you can apply a topcoat to complete the transformation process. Most countertop painting kits cost around $200 and can get your kitchen looking stylish in no time.
Choose Concrete
For a good reason, it’s durable, affordable, and cool-looking when done right. In fact, it’s become a popular DIY option for updating countertops. Finding instructables is now as easy as doing a little research online. If you’re considering doing this yourself, consider learning a bit of the process that involves prepping your old countertop, pouring and curing the concrete, sanding, sealing, and waxing.
The DIY kitchen countertop hack requires some work to get a solid and smooth surface that not only matches your kitchen design and decor in terms of style but one that will also last for many years. Of course, it may take some practice to get the right concrete consistency, so it’s a good idea to do a few sample pieces first before committing to make your own full kitchen countertops.
Tiles are Much Cheaper Than Concrete
If you find creating concrete counters a bit involving, then you can opt for the cheaper and easier way to create a solid-surface countertop – tiles. While it’s possible to tile over your laminate countertops, it’s more effective to create your own countertops out of MDF or plywood and then top it up with textured, partnered, and color-styled tile membrane or board.
Tiles are a great way to complement your wood cabinets and wood flooring. There was a time when tile countertops were all the rage, and they’re now making a comeback as an affordable DIY kitchen countertop hack. If you’re looking for a creative way to refresh the look of your cooking space, consider updating your countertops with tiles.
Install Butcher Block
Installing butcher block countertops is a bit of a forgotten art. But it is without doubt, a stunning option that can easily take a surprising amount of abuse. With good care, it can last for decades and still look good. The fact that it’s wood, it’s fairly easy to install yourself. You just have to take the right measurements, know how to cut and join the block, and you’re good to go with installation if you have the right tools, and can follow the correct technique.
Advantages of using butcher block as a DIY kitchen countertop hack:
- Cheap and easy to maintain
- Waterproof when sealed
- Offers extreme durability
- Available in unique patterns
- You can buy them locally
- Heat resistant and easy to repair
Consider Chalkboard Paint
While chalkboard is typically associated with kids doodles and scrawled notes, not many people are aware of its resourcefulness when it comes to using it on kitchen countertops. When applied on wooden surfaces using a rough sponge roller, the end result often resembles a beautiful soapstone. Once you’ve applied chalkboard paint, you can still seal the paint with a clear varnish or hard-wearing wax to create the perfect look to boost your kitchen’s appeal.
Apply Contact Paper
Applying contact paper is another great DIY kitchen countertop hack for updating old countertops. Contact paper for countertops are available in different color options, including marble, gray granite, even different types of wood stains. This option is pretty cheap for a quick, durable transformation that is easy to fix and maintain. While most people may question the durability and reliability of the contact paper, it actually holds up well against heat and water.
Consider Resurfacing Your Countertops
If you have no money, no time, or no energy to update your kitchen countertops with either of these options, you can consider resurfacing your countertops. If your countertops are laminate, resurfacing them is a high-impact low-cost option that will give them a new look that makes your kitchen look more inviting. For wood countertops, you can apply a new wood stain or try a distressed finish for an even more dramatic DIY kitchen countertop look.
Update Your Kitchen with Formica Countertops
There are so many ways you can update countertops, depending on how much you want to invest in the project, the look you want to achieve, and your comfort level using DIY tools and techniques. If DIY is not your thing, you can opt for ready-to-install laminate kitchen countertops available in different colors and patterns from Builders Surplus Kitchen & Bath Cabinets.
We stock a variety of stylish laminate countertops to match any style. Enhance your kitchen with a custom look and save big with our countertop solutions.
