Laminate countertop(bathroom)

Dianne Kurtz
by Dianne Kurtz
I have a white laminate countertop .I am in the process of repainting a 30+ year old bathroom, and so far I've stripped the wallpaper down to the bare wall and am getting ready to sand then paint it.
But the countertop is very boring. So my question is, can I add glass tiles on it to update my bathroom? Thank you.
  16 answers
  • Z Z on Jan 27, 2014
    Hi Dianne. You are one busy woman. I do hope you come back and share your projects with us. Remember to take lots of pictures and notes too! As for covering your laminate counters with tiles, yes it is possible. This guy is kind of... odd, but he knows what he's doing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3dIVxy9QH8 And here's Ron Hazelton with a guy that developed another way to get the get the job done. http://www.ronhazelton.com/projects/how_to_lay_ceramic_tile_on_a_laminate_countertop
  • Before jumping into this idea, you need to outweigh the time and cost of putting tiles on the vanity top. Buying a new vanity top may be cheaper. I have tiled countertop before and I can tell you that unless you are skilled at cutting tile this is a project that will be on the medium to difficult scale. I love tile and glass tiles can be expensive and the supplies needed to do this project will not be cheap. On the other hand, paint the bathroom and paint the vanity, update the lighting, faucets, mirror, and handles and then see how you like the top. I painted my master bath and vanity and updated mirrors and the fake marble top looks so different. I have tiled counter top and I liked it for about 6 months and then I ripped out the counter top after my husband somehow cracked the bull nose and then I dropped my cast iron pan on it and smashed a couple tiles. Then another issue was: I could not handle the discolored grout just from normal kitchen spills and I did not want to keep up the maintenance of sealing the grout and even repairing it if it should crack or loosen. Tiles are great on walls, floors, and even small pieces of furniture but I would not recommend for counter tops or vanities. I have a completely tiled floor and shower/tub in the full bath so I do like tile. I just wanted to give you my experience because many things I have done and later thought "what in the heck was I thinking"
  • Dianne Kurtz Dianne Kurtz on Jan 27, 2014
    Thank you.I was just wondering what to do.But I guess I will just leave it for now.
    • @ Your welcome. I would leave it and do it last. I have learned from a few of my own DIY mishaps. LOL Plus I wanted to add for resale, if that would be something in the future, a tiled vanity will not help the wow factor in the bathroom and white goes with everything.
  • Shari Shari on Jan 27, 2014
    Yeah, I kind of agree with Renee on this one. Although the tiling the counter top is not a "bad" idea, per se, there are lots of other easier ways to bring color, interest and personality into your bathroom. Fresh paint, a pretty new shower curtain, towels, maybe a throw rug in front of the sink (but not around the toilet), and even artwork can give you the pizazz you are looking for without the headache and expense of trying to tile. If you have space on the counter top, you can even add a real or faux plant or flower. I have a gorgeous deep purple faux orchid sitting on my counter top that adds a nice splash of color in my otherwise fairly neutral bathroom. You are very fortunate the counter top is white (neutral) and not some weird, outdated color or pattern that competes and clashes with the other elements you want to bring into the room.
  • Lesa Lesa on Jan 28, 2014
    You can put tile on old counter but if you do this remember your sink and faucet holes need to be adjusted and cutting tile for this requires some skill. Also, consider your counter edges, can you tile them and do you have a backsplash? This is a very do-able project just do your research, take your time, measure carefully and pick a tile that is easy to work with if you are a beginner. Usually a specialty tile store can give you the best guidance, however they may be pricier than big box stores. Have fun with your projects!
  • Ella H Ella H on Jan 28, 2014
    You can paint the laminate. It's done for kitchen counter but can also be done on bathroom counter.
  • Terra Gazelle Terra Gazelle on Jan 28, 2014
    Rust-Olem has a product line called Transformation..it is for countertops and cabinets. It is very good and I have seen the final product and very nice. You just have to follow the directions to the letter. http://rustoleumtransformations.com/
  • Laura Smith Laura Smith on Jan 28, 2014
    I painted my entire guest bathroom laminate cabinet and counter 12 years ago and it has held up great and it is used lots!! Getting ready to paint it again, just tired of the old look!!
  • Painted Therapy Painted Therapy on Jan 28, 2014
    If you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore near year, they are usually loaded with bathroom countertops at a very reduced price.
  • Nancy Spencer Carlson Nancy Spencer Carlson on Jan 28, 2014
    For an almost instant and very inexpensive fix (as well as easily removeable), check out the pics below. Use a pattern that doesn't require matching. Run it from front to back, not end to end if your counter is wider than the paper. overlap the edges by about 1/8". Be careful not to stretch the paper. If you leave a little extra over the front edge, running a razor blade along the edge while you hold the extra piece in the other hand will give you a nice clean edge. Hope this helps with your immediate problem. It's not necessarily a permanent fix. (Although I have seen people use it for even kitchen counters, and simply replace the paper when it gets messed up.)
    • See 1 previous
    • Nancy Spencer Carlson Nancy Spencer Carlson on Jan 28, 2014
      @Shari I must have edited out too much stuff! The 1st pic with the white countertop to the left of the sink is the 'before'. I used Contact paper in a tiny pebble pattern. Very easy to do and looks so much like granite that no one ever guesses it's contact paper. If you click on the pics and get the larger view you will really see the difference.
  • Dianne Kurtz Dianne Kurtz on Jan 28, 2014
    What kind of paint did you use, and do I have to use a primer too?
  • Pat Dollar Pat Dollar on Jan 29, 2014
    Dianne, I use a product from Giani for bathroom and kitchen counters. It is easy to apply and you will be in love with the result. From boring to beautiful in only one day. Tell them I sent ya www.gianiproducts.com
  • Dianne Kurtz Dianne Kurtz on Jan 31, 2014
    Pat,I just went to the website,and all I can say is WOW.
  • Anita Krukas Anita Krukas on May 08, 2015
    Wow Wow! Thank you Pat. I will use this too!
  • Ms.Cosmo Ms.Cosmo on May 09, 2015
    If you want a quick,easy & inexpensive way to redo your counter tops, I'd recommend you use the tear, wet&then lay,"wallpaper",(all purpose paper).There's no measuring, no cutting,no worries of paint spilling, glue, or any other messes & the end result is Magnificent!It looks like I've got new counter tops, in an updated kitchen! I couldn't be happier!
  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Feb 25, 2016
    Wow! I too visited the website. Amazing faux finishing.