A COUNTERTOP THAT LOOKS GREAT AND DOESN'T BREAK THE BANK

Terrie Kaufman
by Terrie Kaufman
Instead of using "the expected" like tile, granite or whatever, try something different. This is our coffee bar off our bedroom, it houses our washer/dryer, refer, microwave and hamper. It's used a LOT. The wood counter top is made from "beadboard" type paneling sold at Home Depot/Lowe's and costs about $15.00 per pkg. You cut the pieces, glue in on (do not try using nails) and then put something heavy on top to let dry flat. Stain it! I used MIN-WAX Wood Finish and being me I did not follow directions. Instead of just wiping on and off, I used a "chip brush" to paint in on, in the direction of the grain and let it sit for 5 days to dry. Since we sometimes drip coffee we wanted a finish that could withstand some abuse. I just re-coated this last week and thought it would be interesting to show what it looks like. Here comes the fun things in this room!
Instead of buying those expensive, UGLY, metal drawers that your appliances sit on top of, build a raised box with drawers underneath and a counter top. I put dividers in the drawers and use them for all my wrapping materials.
I don't mind sold panels in my cabinet doors in the kitchen but in the coffee bar I wanted something softer to match our bedroom. I always use fabric and it just adds that little "touch of elegance".
To the left is our "laundry basket" which hangs and has 3 separate fabric "bags" for clothes. Found at Costco but it came as a rolling cart. We took off everything but the bars and hung it so our cat box can be underneath.
Just a picture to give you an idea of how to use the fabric and also the same beadboard on another door.
I do not like looking at an metal appliance if I don't have too. My solution was to install a drapery rod across the washer/dryer and use the same fabric as on the other items in the room. Get creative, do the unexpected!
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