There are a few cheap ways to redo kitchen countertops. For example, you can paint them, cover them with contact paper, or sand them and stain them with a wood finish. These options are suitable for wood, linoleum, or laminate countertops.
Painting Countertops
This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.
To give you an idea of quality and longevity, most warranties max out at about five years. However, if the countertops are in a high-traffic space you'll likely see signs of wear much sooner than that, even with a higher quality product.
Resurfacing Is a Cost-Effective Option
Resurfacing your kitchen countertops, though, is still a cost-effective alternative—not to mention a low-cost investment that will last for years to come.
Transform your laminate countertops using paint — the ultimate DIYer's friend. Faux granite is one of the most forgiving of all decorative painting projects — the mottled look is easy to get using sponges and a dabbing motion, and you can just keep going until it looks right.
To make the countertop shine, spray them with a vinegar solution. Mix 2 cups water with 1 tablespoon vinegar in a spray bottle (Image 1 below). Spray the countertop down, and allow the solution to sit for 2 minutes (Image 2 below). Finally, wipe the counter clean.
A: We don't typically recommend laminating over laminate – but you can do it if you're willing to put some elbow grease into it. You need to sand the old surface down to the brown core in order to make sure the adhesive sticks and stays stuck.
Covering existing countertops with granite or another quality surface is a cost-effective and easy way to update the look of your kitchen or bathroom. One popular option among homeowners is counter overlays. And it is easy to see why.
Installing a brand new countertop in your kitchen can be a costly and time consuming project. Peel and stick tile on countertop surfaces is a cost effective way to update your room in just a little time and with few tools. Often, peel and stick tiles are used to mimic expensive material, like stone.
Use a Countertop Paint Kit
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.
Countertop resurfacing is a fairly easy process of covering the existing surface with tile or sheet goods. In just a few hours or days, you can give your kitchen a whole new look at a fraction of the price of installing new counters.
The average lifespan of refinished countertops is 5-7 years. However, we have seen some homeowners have beautiful looking countertops a full decade after refinishing. It all depends on how much you use your counters and how well you care for them.
For laminate or tile countertops, paint offers an inexpensive facelift for a functional but dated countertop. It's a fairly beginner-friendly DIY project, and you don't need any fancy power tools to do it.
To put a shine on your granite, pour a little cooking oil on a soft cleaning cloth and wipe it across the countertop. Buff it gently. This makes the counter a little bit stain-resistant and gives it a glossy shine.
Make a paste made of baking soda and warm water. Allow the paste to rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then scrub into the countertop stain very gently. Baking soda is abrasive, and hard or prolonged scrubbing may damage some materials. Rinse with warm water and a reusable cleaning cloth.
Again, the most practical way to clean and polish your counter or tabletop is with a dry, clean, non-abrasive microfiber cloth and a little elbow grease. You can also use Hope's Perfect Countertop spray and wipe wax to polish Formica® laminate and give it an extra shine.
To clean laminate countertops on a daily basis, all you need is dishwashing liquid, warm water and a microfiber cloth. Apply a mixture of dish soap and water to your counters using the cloth. As you wipe the counter, rinse your cloth in clean water.
Laminate, Formica®, and Wilsonart® are all essentially the same thing; laminate is the substance, and Formica® and Wilsonart® are the brand names. Both types are widely marketed for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, and bar counters and available in a variety of colors and designs.
With proper care and maintenance, Miracle Method refinishing can extend the useful life of your fixtures for up to 15-20 years or more. Our technologically advanced coatings are designed to stand up to daily use and do not require special care.
Vinyl peel and stick backsplashes, especially the low quality ones, can make a space look “cheap”.
Contact paper is an inherently durable material and short of putting a hot pot on it, it is very durable and does not need to be sealed. However, you may opt to apply caulking around the cut edges in cases where there is a lot of water and humidity involved like in a kitchen or bathroom.