Best durable solution for ugly countertops?

I think they look great (from what I can see).... if they are predominantly gray/black, I would paint the rest of the kitchen to match. Painting is much cheaper (and easier) than redoing countertops.

Rustoleum makes kits for resurfacing laminate countertops. Check out their videos on youtube. Good luck

If you paint laminate, you get painted laminate. You will have to be careful of chipping and peeling. It would be an even less desirable surface. Go to a home store and get prices on something you like and start saving toward it. You will be surprised how quickly you can save up for something when you have a goal amount and the motivation of having found what you do like. Start by putting the cost of the paint into the fund.

Would you consider painting the cabinets? I have laminate counters that I don’t like, too, but when I painted the cabinets (white) it made all the difference! Good luck.

This is what we’re going with.

https://www.stonecoatcountertops.com/stone-coat-gallery

I would put some colorful vases or other decorations on top of upper cabinets. This will draw your eye up and take away the focus on countertop. Please think long and hard about painting the cabinets, as this is a "fad" and you may be sorry later.

Thanks everyone for the ideas I think I going to try the stonecoat

Stonecoat looks great. You can also look into Rustoleum or Giani Countertop paint kits.

If you use anything with epoxy it will scratch and I have not found an epoxy that will allow you to sit anything hot on it either, that is why I haven't redone mine, I can't afford new and I don't want something that can easily scratch.