Audrey
The kitchen is among the most crucial spaces in your home; how it looks matters. Damaged or old countertops detract from your home’s beauty and value. Updating the countertops can give it a fresh, new look if your kitchen starts to look outdated.
But this doesn’t have to be a costly process. If you’re working on a tight budget, there are various affordable ways to freshen your countertops without breaking the bank. When updating your kitchen, a good place to start is gathering more info on countertops.
Here are six ways to update your countertops on a budget:
1. Apply Fresh Varnish To Wooden Countertops
If your kitchen has laminated or wooden countertops, applying fresh coats of varnish may be the easiest and most cost-effective way to update them. New varnish can give your worktops a new look if you vary the shade of the varnish.
If you currently have a dark shade on your kitchen countertops, switching to a lighter one can change the look significantly. All you need to do is sand down the worktops and apply a lighter shade of varnish.
2. Paint Your Countertops
Painting old countertops is the other cheap and easy way to update them. If you have linoleum or wooden worktops in your kitchen, sanding, priming, and then painting them can give them a new lease on life. Use a pad sander to smoothen the surface instead of sandpaper, which has a rough grit. Opt for a medium or fine grit.
The idea is to scuff the surface lightly to ensure the primer and paint adhere. You also want to ensure there are no deep scratches on the surface, as those could show on the surface after painting.
Use spray paint, a sealer, or a sponge roller to apply primer and paint. This way, you can avoid leaving brush marks. Ensure that you protect non-spray areas with painter’s tape. Apply three to four coats on the surface to seal the paint and preserve the finish.
3. Try A Terrazzo Look
Another way to update your kitchen countertops on a budget is to use a mix of recycled marble, quartz, and other materials to create a distinctive worktop with a mosaic look. Terrazzo countertops work well for homes that carry bold designs and aesthetics.
You can reduce costs further by turning the installation into a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Although terrazzo countertops are heat-resistant and durable, repairing them after damage can be difficult.
If you decide to install them in your kitchen, seal them with resin and keep them clean to maintain them.
4. Style Your Worktops With Epoxy Resin
You can change the style and color of your kitchen by pouring epoxy resin on worktops. Epoxy resin is a unique, inexpensive material that’s increasingly becoming popular among homeowners.
To apply epoxy resin on your countertops, pour the mixture on the surface, smoothen it and remove bubbles and drips. Epoxy resin is a highly versatile mix available in different colors and styles, including natural marble or stone.
5. Cover Worktops With Contact Paper
Another kitchen worktop makeover idea you can do on a budget is to cover them with contact paper. Whether you want a marble, stone, or tile look in your kitchen, finding a contact paper that mimics your preferred look shouldn’t be challenging, as they come in different patterns without a huge price tag.
Contact papers aren’t only ideal for homeowners; people living in rented houses can use them to update their kitchens temporarily because they can be reversed using heat. Although contact papers are not very resilient and require periodic replacement, they’re ideal for protecting counters from damage.
6. Add A Built-In Chopping Board To Your Countertops
If you cook a lot, replacing a section of your kitchen worktop with a cutting board can improve its look. Ensure that your built-in chopping board sits flush with your countertop for easy access during food preparation.
Use a different material than the countertop for a classy, durable look. In most cases, an easy-to-clean wooden surface works best. To maintain the board, apply chopping board oil regularly to keep it from splintering or cracking.
Final Thoughts
Updating old or damaged kitchen countertops can give them a fresh, new look. However, changing the look of kitchen countertops can feel like a tedious, costly affair for most people. But this isn’t necessarily the case. Whether you plan to remodel your kitchen space totally or improve your working surfaces only, you can find a way to minimize costs. If you’re looking to update your kitchen countertops on a budget, applying any of the six ideas highlighted above can help you achieve your goal quickly.
