Fixing a chip in a laminate countertop is a quick, budget-friendly DIY job. For the best results, clean the area with solvent, fill the chip using a color-matched laminate repair paste, scrape it flush when it begins to harden, and wipe away any excess.
Yes, you can easily fix chipped laminate countertops. The best approach depends on the size of the chip. For small nicks, you can use a Laminate Repair Paste or wax fill stick, while slightly larger chips require a bit of tinted epoxy.
Yes, they are essentially the same thing. Laminate is the general name of the material, while Formica is simply the most well-known brand that manufactures it. All Formica is laminate, but not all laminate is Formica.
For smaller repairs like scratches and chips, you won't need to replace any of the floorboards. This kind of damage can be dealt with using a flooring repair kit. A laminate flooring repair kit will include multiple colours that can be mixed to get a perfect match for your boards.
Restoring damaged laminate countertops depends on the severity of the damage. For minor nicks and scratches, use a color-matched laminate filler or hard wax. For peeled edges, use contact cement. For widespread fading, use a laminate restorer. For extensive damage like deep burns or water-swelling, replacement is often required.
Updating old laminate countertops can be a budget-friendly weekend project. The most common and durable DIY methods include painting with a specialized kit, applying peel-and-stick vinyl film, or skim-coating with concrete. All options require thorough cleaning and light sanding to allow the new surface to adhere properly.
Laminate filler is a material used to repair minor damages like chips, scratches, or gouges on laminate surfaces, such as countertops or flooring. It typically comes in a paste or putty form that can be colored to match the laminate, providing a seamless repair.
Whether you can put laminate over laminate depends entirely on what you are laminating.
Try a Faux Concrete Feather Finish
Try a feather finish for an easy and budget-friendly DIY. This technique involves roughing up laminate countertops with sandpaper, cleaning them, then applying a thin layer of a product such as Ardex Feather Finish or Henry Feather Finish with a putty knife.
Over time, the Formica brand has become interchangeable with the word “laminate”. Formica® laminate is an affordable way to reinvent your kitchen countertop. With over 200 colors and styles to choose from, there is a Formica option for every visual palette.
Countertops in 2026 are shifting away from sterile, cool grays toward warm, organic, and dramatic looks. The biggest trends prioritize inviting neutrals (creams, beiges, and taupes), sweeping natural veins, and bold, earth-toned statement stones.
Top Brands. Some of the top brands for laminate countertops to consider are Formica, Arborite, and Wilsonart. They all have been around for many years and are trusted by many people. Formica has been around since 1913, is the oldest of them, and still holds the top spot.
To repair nicks, chips, and deep gouges in laminate countertops, SeamFil is the industry-standard repair paste. It bonds directly to the exposed laminate substrate, cures to a hard plastic, and is moisture-resistant. Color-matched pastes are also widely sold under the name FormFill.
You can easily repair a chip in your countertop at home using a countertop repair kit (which relies on epoxy or light-cure acrylic). The process takes about 20–30 minutes, plus curing time.
Updating laminate countertops without replacing them is an affordable, weekend-friendly project. The best methods include using specialty refinishing kits, applying peel-and-stick contact paper, resurfacing with concrete, or covering them with new materials like thin wood or tiles.
Replacing laminate countertops typically costs between $20 and $80 per square foot fully installed. For an average-sized kitchen (about 30 to 40 sq. ft.), expect a total project cost ranging from $720 to $2,880, depending on the material grade, edging options, and your local labor rates.
Cost Savings
This is unsurprising, considering that having your countertops refinished will cost a fraction of the price of replacement. In fact, depending on the type of countertops you would have chosen for replacement, having your countertops refinished instead could end up saving you 40-75%.
Updating laminate countertops on a budget is highly achievable. For under $200, you can drastically transform your space using specialized refinishing kits, durable paints, or peel-and-stick vinyl contact paper. These DIY-friendly methods require excellent surface prep to ensure lasting results.
If it's a small chip (smaller than a dime) and the board underneath is dry: use a color-matched repair paste or hard wax and seal the edges. If it's a hairline crack but nothing is lifting: you can fill and smooth it, then keep water out.
Fixing a chipped laminate countertop requires a few basic supplies and some patience. For an easy, durable fix, you can use a laminate countertop repair paste or tinted epoxy, which dries hard and mimics the surrounding surface.
Use a Laminate Floor Repair Kit or Marker
You should generally avoid using Murphy's Oil Soap on laminate floors. While the manufacturer notes it can be used if heavily diluted, laminate has a hard, non-porous finish. Oil soaps can leave behind a dull, cloudy film that is very difficult to remove and easily attracts dirt.
It is quick-drying, easy to paint or sand, and can be used during installation to fill nail and screw holes, or to repair damage on existing floors. Low VOC, environmentally friendly and safe to use, each putty comes with a two-year shelf life and is packaged in a 3 oz.