Make Your Kitchen Look Brand New With DIY Kitchen Countertops
The kitchen counter experiences a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis. If you have had the counter for a long time, it is natural for it to look a bit dull. But reinstalling a kitchen counter can be heavy on your pockets. How about turning it into a do-it-yourself project(DIY)?
You can save a lot of money and have fun at the same time. We are sharing some of the best DIY Kitchen countertop ideas with you.
Paint Your Countertops Like Marble
Painting your countertops is a cost-effective and elegant way to update your old laminate countertops. However, it does take a lot of time, and you have to pay attention to detail. You can buy countertop painting kits to help make the process easier.
Prior to starting, ensure to protect the surrounding areas, including cooktop, backsplash, sink, etc., with painter’s tape. Protect the floor by laying a plastic sheet or newspaper.
The process starts with sanding the laminate surface using 100-grit to 150-grit sandpaper. This will roughen the laminate so that the primer and paint stick better.
After that, apply a coat of oil-based primer using a small foam roller. Let the primer dry completely before applying a white paint coat over the countertop.
Once the paint is dried, it is time to add some variations to it. Using a round brush, dab medium grey paints randomly over the counter.
Create a realistic grain pattern using a darker grey shade and feather. Lastly, use medium grey paint and dab randomly to create lighter and darker shades across the counter.
Make sure to seal the countertop in the end to create a beautiful and long-lasting marble-inspired countertop.
Faux Granite
Laminate countertops are very flexible as you can upgrade them in so many ways. And you also do not have to remove them completely to give a new look.
If you love the looks of granite but cannot afford the cost, then this design is perfect for you. The first step of this process is to sand the countertop lightly using sandpaper.
We just need a slightly roughened surface, so do not be too harsh with sandpaper. Start by priming the counter (two coats) and letting it dry overnight.
Next, mix your black paint and primer to create a couple of shades of grey. So you will not have to invest in three different colors; all you need is black paint and primer.
Start by dabbing the counter surface using the darkest shade until you get the right coverage. After that, you need to dab the surface with a lighter shade and then go in with the lightest shade.
Continue to do that until you get a granite-like finish; there is no right or wrong way of doing that. To recreate the shine of the granite countertop, you can sparkle in an uneven manner across the counter while the paint is still wet.
Once you have done all that, ensure to seal the countertop.
Butcher Block Kitchen Countertop
The charm of the wooden countertop is timeless, and you do not have to spend a lot to create this look. You need wood pieces that are 5 inches in width and 1 3/4 inches thick in size.
You need to cut and plane the wooden pieces before you glue them—there should not be any roughness on the wood.
You will need to use a lot of wood glue and wood clamps to join the pieces together. Ensure that glue is dry before you move on to the next step.
Fill the knots and holes using a natural wood filler to create a smooth look. Once the filler is dried up, the next step for you is to sand the wood so that there are no uneven surfaces.
Interestingly, there are many options to stain the wood, so you can explore the same and choose the one that works well for you. And if you do not want to stain your wood at all, that is also okay.
Apply a layer of wood stain and allow it to dry before sanding it once again. If you choose not to stain, then you do not have to stain it twice.
Now you have to cut the wood to the correct size and create space for the faucet and sink. Once you have installed the wood on the counter, all there is left to do is seal the wood.
Concrete Countertops For Industrial Look
Concrete countertops are gaining a lot of popularity these days as they are durable, affordable, and look cool. And the reason why we have chosen it for the DIY project is that concrete countertops are easy to do.
In fact, you may end up creating something different from your imperfections. The first step here is to create a mould using a melamine particle board to hold the concrete.
Measure your countertop and cut out the board to create a mold. Once your mold is done, you need to pour mixed concrete into the mold surface. It is the right time to add a splash of color if you want to, or you can add crushed gasses as well.
Press the concrete with a small spade to ensure that the mold is properly filled. When covering the area with plastic to avoid any dirt and dust and let it dry, it may take a whole week. Once the concrete is cured properly, remove the mold.
After that, it is time to sand the countertop to get a smooth structure. Before applying the sealant, make sure to clean the surface with water after sanding.
If you are up for the work, renovating your kitchen counter does not have to be a costly affair. You can do a lot to your kitchen counter with a bit of research and creativity. But no matter what DIY project you choose, be prepared for manual work and trust the process. Above are some simple DIY projects that you can try on your kitchen countertop and give it an upgraded look.
