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These 25 incredible DIY countertop ideas prove you don’t have to spend a lot of money to have a beautiful kitchen. Including concrete, wood, painted countertops, and more.
When I was updating my own kitchen, figuring out how to update our ugly countertops on a budget was one of my top priorities. We had extremely dated laminate countertops and I knew there was no way I could make a real difference in my kitchen unless I did something about them! But new countertops are extremely expensive so I went in search of other options.
I ended up painting my own countertops (and loving the results), but I also found so many other brilliant ideas for updating ugly, outdated counters.
These DIY countertop ideas work beautifully in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms – anywhere you need an updated countertop. All of these DIY countertops are budget-friendly and many don’t require any special DIY skills.
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Painting Countertops to look like MarblePainting our old laminate countertops to look like marble was a huge risk, but it was definitely worth it! You would absolutely never guess that they were painted. The real key to what made these countertops look so beautiful is the pour-on sealer that I used to finish them.
Painting Countertops to Look Like SlateHere’s a different take on painted countertops – these have the dark, matte finish of slate. And surprisingly, they were painted using chalkboard paint! This is a beautiful look but Kate from Kate Decorates does warn she doesn’t recommend these for a busy kitchen.
Painted Tile CountertopsPainting outdated tile countertops is an easy, inexpensive way to quickly update them. As long as you use the right primer and paint, painted tile actually holds up really well over time.
Painting Laminate Countertops a Solid ColorThis is another great take on painting ugly laminate countertops. Instead of attempting a fancy finish, Angie from Postcards for the Ridge simply used a nice neutral color and it looks beautiful!
For anyone who’s wondering how good an idea painting countertops actually is, I put together an update on how my own painted kitchen counters were holding up after seven years of use. This post shares the honest truth of how the finish has held up, how they really look now, and whether I would do it again.
DIY Epoxy CountertopsEpoxy can be a bit tricky to work with, but wow are these epoxy countertops gorgeous! You would never know there was ugly green formica underneath that beautiful finish. The epoxy really gives it a shine and depth of color that looks nothing like paint.
If you’ve ever been curious how well those countertop transformation kits really work, Angela from Blue I Style shares all the details. The kits come with everything you need to make your old laminate countertops look like granite and are available in several different colors.
Giani Granite makes another popular kit that includes everything you need to paint your countertops to look like granite. These kits are available in several different granite colors as well as quartz and marble-look countertop kits. Randi from Dukes and Duchesses put one to the test on her bathroom counter and is sharing all the details.
Spreadstone Granite is a third option for updating your dated countertops using a pre-made kit. The Spreadstone kit is available in 11 different colors and includes everything you need to give your old countertops the look of granite. Ann’s Entitled Life used this to update a rental kitchen and did note that while these countertops are very durable, the final color looked nothing like what was advertised, so be sure to read reviews before selecting a color.
DIY Wooden CountertopThis rustic wooden countertop is made from inexpensive wood planks and has a gorgeous spa-like vibe. Kati from Houseful of Handmade shares a full step-by-step tutorial for building your own along with tips for protecting the wood from moisture.
DIY Herringbone Wood CountertopsThese wood countertops were made using simple inexpensive pine boards, but that herringbone pattern really makes them into a showstopper. The post includes clear step by step instructions along with tips for waterproofing your wood counters.
Simple DIY Wood CountertopsThese DIY wood countertops are super easy to build using just two wood planks, but they still look amazing. This is a great look if you are interested in a more modern take on wood countertops – plus the total cost was less than $50!
DIY Torched Wood CountertopThese torched wood countertops are a completely different take on wood countertops. The torched finish gives such a lively, vibrant look and the post includes lots of tips for the actual torching process as well as sealing the finished counter.
DIY Concrete Bathroom CountertopThese DIY concrete countertops from H2O Bungalow are perfect if you want a bit of an industrial vibe for your space. They are budget-friendly and you can choose from a wide range of colors for your concrete mix.
DIY Concrete Kitchen CountertopsHere’s another version of some beautiful DIY concrete countertops, this time in the kitchen. They really add so much warmth to this space! The tutorial from Run to Radiance answers lots of common questions about things like cost and maintenance.
DIY Pour-in Place Concrete CountertopsThese concrete countertops were created using a completely different method. Instead of being created in molds and then flipped over, these are poured in place. Because of the differences in the process, this method tends to give more of that beautiful color variation to the finish.
DIY White Concrete CountertopIf you love the look of concrete countertops, but want something a bit lighter, these white concrete countertops may be your perfect match. These are made using a system that includes everything needed to pour your countertops right in your kitchen. The system is a bit more pricey than some other ways to install concrete countertops, but it also looks like it makes doing this yourself much easier.
Contact paper is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to update your countertops. Plus, it’s removable, so this is a great solution for renters. Contact paper doesn’t sound the most durable, but Anika’s DIY Life shared a full update almost a year later and they were still going strong!
Ok, when I first read the words wood-look contact paper, I was extremely skeptical. But after seeing the photos, I’m pretty shocked at how great this contact paper counter actually looks! Plus, using contact paper rather than real wood means there’s no need for demoing the old counter or breaking out the power tools.
Here’s another fun take on contact paper countertops using waterproof granite contact paper. The Handyman’s Daughter walks you through how to install contact paper countertops and also shows how easy it is to remove it when the time comes.
Another option for a super easy stick-on countertop is Instant Granite, a PVC vinyl film that you can stick right over your old countertops to give them an entirely new look. Lindsey from Repurpose and Upcycle shares how she completely transformed her bathroom counter and also shares some tips for getting the best results.
Fabricate and Install Your own Solid Surface CountertopTo be totally honest, I had no idea you even could fabricate your own solid surface countertops! Solid surface countertops (often called by the brand name Corian) basically come as large flat sheets of material that you can then combine with a wooden base to create a seamless countertop. When Melissa from Welcome to the Woods couldn’t find an affordable fabricator to make her countertops, she made them herself and documented the whole process in a series of video tutorials. And the finished results are gorgeous!
DIY Laminate CountertopsDid you know you can also build your own DIY laminate countertops? Buying sheets of laminate is much, much cheaper than buying laminate countertops. This tutorial at The Craft Patch shows you step-by-step how to create much cheaper laminate countertops using inexpensive sheets of laminate and mdf.
Installing Laminate CountertopsWhile laminate countertops aren’t quite so DIY as the other options here, I wanted to include these because they are a super budget-friendly option that has come a long way in recent years. There are lots of really beautiful finish options available including beveled edges. Martina from The Lived In Look shares why she chose laminate countertops as well as a guide to installing them yourself.
If you’re thinking about updating your own countertops, I’m betting you have tons of new ideas to consider now! It really is pretty mind-blowing what a difference a few DIY updates can make in a space.
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Is your kitchen looking a little outdated? Feeling the need to update your countertops? Learn how to do home improvement on a budget.
If you have good cabinets, replacing the countertops can make a big difference in your kitchen. Best of all, there are a number of great ways to save money.
Consider each of these five strategies before you tackle the project, and you can update countertops on a budget.
This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you make a purchase after clicking on a link, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
You can purchase paint kits that allow you to update the look of your countertops. The product is simple to use and can give you the look of stone for less than hundred dollars.
If you want a new look, but don’t want to spend a lot of money, painting your countertops is a great option. This is a smart way to update countertops without replacing them. Plus, this is also the easiest way to update bathroom countertops.
Butcher block countertops are very affordable. They can actually be less expensive than laminate.
Butcher block can also be beautiful in any kitchen. The key is to paint your cabinets with a contrasting color for a striking look.
My nextdoor neighbor just updated his ’80s kitchen with white cabinets and butcher block countertops, and it looks fantastic.
If you know someone who is also redoing their kitchen, consider recycling their countertops into your kitchen design. As long as your countertops are shorter, you’ll be able to save a lot of money.
You will need a contractor to install the kitchen countertops, if you’re not comfortable with doing it yourself. You can also find used countertops at Habitat for Humanity thrift stores.
If you have small kitchen countertops, you may be able to update for very little money. Granite companies often have leftover pieces after they cut for custom jobs..
These pieces cost a lot less because they are seen as scrap. If you can’t find enough to do your counters and island, mix and match colors. You’ll have a modern look without a modern price.
Last, but not least, shop with companies that offer free installation. This can save you hundreds of dollars when you update countertops.
Companies like Lowe’s and Home Depot often offer deals to get free installs during special deals. Keep your eyes peeled.
You don’t have to spend thousands on new countertops. There are so many great ways to get the look you want at a price you can afford.
If you’re up for doing it yourself, look for classes at your local home improvement store on installing your own countertops. And ask around–see what your neighbors and friends have done to save money updating their kitchens.
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