Budget friendly kitchen countertops

Ligaya Hall
by Ligaya Hall
I'm looking for ideas for budget friendly countertops
  11 answers
  • Tegma Tegma on Dec 29, 2014
    There are many ideas for budget friendly counters. One, you can paint to look like granite.... see Pinterest. Two, you can top with boards to look like butcher block. Using hardwood flooring works well, too. Three, you can use ceramic tile on top of old counters. What are your likes and dislikes? Perhaps then, we'll know more of what to suggest.
    • Ligaya Hall Ligaya Hall on Dec 30, 2014
      @tegma Thanks for your suggestion, I'm leaning more toward the butcher block.
  • Funnygirl Funnygirl on Dec 29, 2014
    I really like the look of a dark wood stained butcher block with a nice satin sheen.Looks very expensive and very reasonable.If your counters are in usable condition,I would try painting them first.Painting countertops has come a long way.many ideas on line.If that is not an option,then next choice would be the butcher block counters.
    • Ligaya Hall Ligaya Hall on Dec 30, 2014
      @Funnygirl Thanks for suggestion, unfortunately paining it is not an option for me because of the minor structural changes that was done.
  • Liliana Wells Liliana Wells on Dec 30, 2014
    Painting them would be the most cost-effective method. There are many options online. I used http://www.gianigranite.com.
  • Ligaya Hall Ligaya Hall on Dec 30, 2014
    thanks for your suggestion, but painting is not option due to minor structural changes.
  • 512181 512181 on Dec 30, 2014
    Lumber Liquidators and Ikea both have butcher block counters that are reasonable. Also, if you want laminate, the in-stock counters at Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards are super inexpensive. You could install that until you are ready to get the counters of your dreams.
  • Ligaya Hall Ligaya Hall on Dec 30, 2014
    Thanks, your suggestion is well said, everybody around me telling me me to put granite counter tops, it's just not on my budget right now.
  • I would look at the laminates at your local home stores, Granite is beautiful but it is a high maintenance and expensive accessory. I have granite and it has issues from having messy teens who never wiped up which anything acidic such as juice or vinegar will pit the granite. Some of the laminates are beautiful and so I would start there. Good luck.
  • Lee Schafer Lee Schafer on Dec 30, 2014
    I sometimes feel the world does not understand "its not in the budget". Don't feel pushed to go for more than you can afford. And like Garden Frog says, some parts of granite are not for everyone. A nice laminate, or if you can make it happen, a butcher block can be wonderful. I want to do butcher block on my island and need to do more research. I don't want to stain and seal but want to use a food approved oil and then I just refinish it if it gets rough. More research to do.
  • Ligaya Hall Ligaya Hall on Dec 31, 2014
    Garden Frog and Lee Schafer thank you both for your input.
  • Comet Comet on Dec 31, 2014
    The "House of Hepworths" blog has a wonderful section on how she did a "Butcher block" counter by herself in a day or two with JUST plain old boards from Lowes. Very inexpensive and can be cut to fit around any imperfections in the exisiting set up. Plus--it looks GREAT! I think one of the important things when doing this is having an "overhang" at the edge to mimic the depth of "real" butcher block--you know; the stuff that costs a million bucks vs Ikea etc. We did a Harbor Frieght wood work bench as an island last year and the edge has that overhang---looks much more spendy than a 135$ piece should. Seal well and you will be good for a loong time--and with money in your wallet! Remember too that when you do your OWN you do not have to have the waste and odd looking "seam" on any corner sections; you can run the board right to the wall or any other interesting direction depending on your configuration. You can also stain different sections if you like. Granite is cold; it can chip and etch; if it is not sealed right it will look awful; you can't put a pot down on it---all things that make me wonder WHY anyone EVER uses it. I have only ever seen ONE piece of granite that I liked--and my husband sells the stuff!
  • Michelle Michelle on Dec 31, 2014
    also look for remnants depend on the size of countertop, laminate and Formica has come a long way if you looking to stay in budget look in your community to see if there is bartering or time exchange, I belong to one. The idea is you list your services and you trade and track your hours , no money is exchange. Also try the Habitat for Humanity store if you have one in the area. A recycle place might have salvage old chalkboard that are made of slate, great for countertops. Like you I am replacing my countertop on a budget. Good luck!