Caught with dingy, seen-better-days laminate counter tops? We really feel you. If a kitchen transform has to dwell in your goals for now, both as a result of budgetary causes or since you lease, there are nonetheless methods you may affordably replace your counter tops.
For assist, we turned to residence life-style professional Julian Thomas. Maybe him as Marfa Stewart on TikTok, or have seen his DIY tasks pop up in your Instagram feed.
He spilled 5 methods to replace outdated laminate with out spending a paycheck or two. Learn on for his sensible concepts.
Meet the Professional
Julian Thomas is a DIY and residential life-style professional in addition to a Command Model associate.
Wrap Them in Contact Paper
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
As a former proprietor of laminate counter tops, Thomas can communicate from expertise in terms of making use of self-adhering contact paper. He calls it top-of-the-line DIY choices he has ever made.
“Whereas sure, making use of a large sticker to a big floor space can appear daunting, the exhausting work and persistence is price it,” he says.
Contact paper is a breeze to take away and may be present in nearly any coloration and sample, so you may coordinate with cupboards or change it out when the inspiration strikes (or when your lease it up).
Earlier than scouring the massive field retailers for choices, although, Thomas recommends searching Etsy for designs, as they have an inclination to supply extra on-trend choices. His present favourite is that this terrazzo sample.
“When you’re at it, now would even be a good time to modify out cupboard or drawer knobs and pulls for a real kitchen improve,” Thomas says.
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Paint Them
The Spruce / Brie Passano
“The last word strategy to disguise unpleasant laminate counter tops”—that’s how Thomas describes the reasonably priced possibility of portray.
He recommends looking Pinterest or TikTok for tutorials, then visiting your native residence enchancment retailer for a paint equipment devoted to DIY-ing a painted countertop. You possibly can even create a faux-marble end with paint.
Portray laminate counter tops comes with an enormous warning although: not solely is paint everlasting (not like peel-and-stick contact paper), however the course of is particularly technical. You’ll additionally want to use a food-safe sealant to defend each you and the counter tops from undesirable supplies.
“It’s important to observe directions to make sure the meals security of your counter tops, and to maintain them protected against the inevitable mess accustomed to kitchens,” Thomas says.
High Them With Butcher Blocks
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Whereas contact paper and paint each require instruments and a few prior DIY know-how, there are alternatives for updating your laminate counter tops even should you’re much less assured with a undertaking.
Attempt topping them with butcher blocks, for instance. Merely supply butcher blocks which might be huge sufficient to cowl an enormous portion of your counter tops.
“Butcher blocks can be found in all kinds of styles and sizes, and will not be solely fashionable however practical,” Thomas says. “Along with butcher blocks, I might additionally contemplate including a spread cowl which may present continuity of the butcher block.”
Clear Them
The Spruce / Kevin Norris
Relying in your circumstances—maybe you’re renting—the choices listed above might not be out there to you. In that case, it’s possible you’ll as effectively embrace the counter tops you have already got.
“When opting to stay with laminate counter tops, I like to recommend conserving them clear and well-organized,” Thomas says. “Typically the most suitable choice for a DIY improve is the one which requires the least quantity of effort.”
First, be sure that all storage options coordinate with one another to supply continuity. This, Thomas says, is a design trick that may simply improve even probably the most mundane areas.
Countertop house is efficacious actual property within the kitchen, and conserving them full of cooking necessities makes probably the most sensible sense, particularly when space for storing is restricted.
“I’m an enormous advocate for maximizing the storage potential of different kitchen surfaces in addition to counter tops,” Thomas says.
Add a Feather End for Fake Concrete Counter tops
The Spruce / Jason Donnelly
Thomas saves this advice—including a feather end for a concrete-like look—for final for a cause. It’s probably the most dedication, and never for the DIY shy, he admits.
“Precise concrete counter tops are very fashionable, but in addition troublesome to DIY, although it’s doable,” Thomas says.
As an alternative, using a feather end creates the smooth look of concrete, no renovation crucial.