Do It Yourself Countertops – Refresh Your Kitchen!

The kitchen is the most used room in the home. Namely, this is where you and your family prepare meals and spend time with each other. One place that is used every day is the countertops in the kitchen. It is subject to wear and tear over time and it is often the first thing homeowners want to replace. But, there is one reason why homeowners delay this project. This is often due to money. Thankfully, there are now do it yourself countertops that you can choose instead.

What are the Benefits of Do It Yourself Countertops?

If you are a beginner when it comes to home improvements, you may be wondering; why should I try do it yourself countertops? Well, there are many benefits you can look forward to if you complete this job independently. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Save Thousands

Having all of the countertops replaced in your home by professionals can cost thousands. Not only do you have to pay for all of the materials, but you are also paying a lot for labor and the skills of a building company. If you have a lot of cash to burn, this is not going to be a problem for you. But, if you are on a budget, know that you can save thousands of dollars by trying do it yourself countertops.

Use the Carcass

A lot of companies will recommend that you have your whole kitchen ripped out even if you just want new countertops. But, the good thing about doing the countertops yourself is that you do not have to do this. You can reuse the carcass of your kitchen cupboards to save time and money. If you are in a possible where the carcasses are in good condition, you have a solid structure you can keep. This is going to be a lot easier and cheaper than ripping the whole kitchen up.

Have Creative Freedom

Let’s not forget that when you are enjoying do it yourself countertops, you are the boss. You can decide exactly what you want without any outside interference. You can decide on the materials you want to use and how they are constructed. The creative freedom you have during home improvement is one of the main reasons why people are becoming more hands-on in the home. You can have a unique kitchen that everybody loves.

Avoid Upheaval

Having a professional team in your home can be chaotic. The building work is noisy, messy and time-consuming. If you are looking for a quick solution for new countertops, doing the job yourself can be a lot easier. There are a lot of ways to refresh your countertops that do not involve so much work and upheaval. This can mean that you do not have to change your schedule and have a team of people in your home.

How Can I Change My Countertops?

First of all, before we dive into our do it yourself countertop ideas, we want to introduce the two choices you have. This way, you can decide what route you want to go down with your kitchen. So, here are the two ways you can change the countertops in your home.

Refurbish

New refurbished kitchen countertop

The first option you have is to refurbish the countertops you already have. In other words, you do not have to destroy the countertop. There are things you can do to make them look like they are brand new again. This is a good option for people that are looking for fast solutions and cheap ways to renovate their kitchen space. It is also ideal if you are looking for an aesthetic refresh and there is nothing wrong with the construction of the countertop.

Replace

If your countertops are damaged and have been subject to obvious wear and tear, they may have to be replaced completely. This is going to take a little more work than refurbishment options. But, it can still be done without a professional. It will involve removing the countertop you have and choosing a replacement. This is something that can still be done on a budget but will cost more than a simple refurbishment. You will also need to have some basic tools.

Ideas for Do It Yourself Countertops

Now, it is the moment you have all been waiting for. It is time to discover some do it yourself countertop ideas. So, let’s get started and you can see what you can do for your kitchen.

Painting the Countertops

Let’s begin with an easy yet effective way to refurbish your countertops. We are talking about painting them. This is a fantastic way to give your kitchen a new lease of life without a lot of work and expense.

If your countertops are in good condition, you can get started on the painting. Make sure that you select a paint that is going to work for the material your countertop is constructed from. But, if your countertops are showing some signs of wear and tear, you can use sandpaper or a palm sander to help.

The great thing about this refurbishment is that you have a lot of freedom when it comes to color. You can select a paint that you love and get started straight away. This is a job that you can complete in just a few hours. What’s more, you can also purchase paint for the kitchen cupboards for a full kitchen renovation on a budget.

Create Concrete Countertops

If you are looking to create completely new countertops and replace the ones you have in your kitchen, you can make them yourself from concrete. This will require some more time, as the concrete will have to set. But, it is a cheaper way to enjoy new countertops rather than purchasing them from a store.

To get started, you will need a concrete mix. This is something you can purchase and all you have to do is mix it with water. You can also choose a colorant for the concrete to create the style you want for your kitchen. Then you are going to need a countertop mold for the concrete to set in. You can make your own concrete mold out of wood, measuring the amount you will need for your countertop. Simply, pour the concrete into the mold and ensure that it has an even surface.  Take your time with this step and ensure that you have the finish you want. Do not forget to wear safety goggles, gloves and a respirator for this job since you are working with concrete.

Once the concrete is dry, you can carefully detach it from the mold and fix it to the cupboards in your kitchen. This is a difficult step so be patient and careful so that you do not crack the concrete. You should have a durable surface for preparing meals and one that is brand new but at half the price of a store countertop.

Choose Contact Paper

The next option is going to be a satisfying project for people that are on a tight budget. It is possible to renovate your kitchen and enjoy countertops that look brand new for under $40. We are talking about using contact paper. If you have never seen this before, contact paper is fully adhesive on one side, with a pattern on the other. So, you are able to create a countertop that looks like granite or stone but without having to spend a fortune. What’s more, you will not have to go through the laborious process of removing the countertops you have.

Do it yourself countertops

The good thing about using contact paper is that you do not need a lot of tools and it is perfect for beginners. All you have to do is choose contact paper you like online or from a local store. Make sure that you choose the right size of roll to fit your countertops. Then, you are going to cut it to size and stick it down to the surface. In order to move the air bubbles out from underneath the contact paper, you can use a squeegee.

Use Epoxy

Another refurbishing option you have is to use epoxy. Again, this is another great option if your countertops are in good condition but you are looking for a style update. Applying this epoxy to the surface of the countertop will make it appear like new.

All you have to do is pour the epoxy onto the countertop. You can use a foam roller to spread it out evenly. You can use epoxy on a number of materials. This includes laminate, wood, concrete and ceramic. It will harden and dry itself. But, a good way to speed up the process is to use a blow torch.

Once it has hardened, epoxy forms a durable and strong surface for a countertop. It often can look like real stone. It also creates a glossy finish, which a lot of homeowners love. All of this can be done at a fraction of the price compared to completely new countertops.

Do you want to change the flooring in your kitchen too? You can check out our do it yourself flooring ideas.

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