How to update a laminate countertop with rounded edges?

Celeste
by Celeste

I want to either make a DIY wooden countertop, or tile over the laminate countertop in my home, without removing it. I recently tiled the entire kitchen and entry with a porcelain tile that looks like slate, and have some left. How do I first get a flat surface to add wood or tile too. Also if I tile, how to bond the tile to the laminate? Picture of existing countertop attached. I’m getting fairly good at projects by now, but this one stumps me. Thoughts?

  7 answers
  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 27, 2018

    Hello Celeste, Had you thought about Tiling the top and using a Timber /metal trim. Best wishes

    • Celeste Celeste on Aug 10, 2018

      I hadn’t. I’m not sure what that is. But I’ll look it up. Thanks for the suggestion.

  • Rachael Waters Dewett Rachael Waters Dewett on Jul 28, 2018

    I can’t help on the how to, but I will tell you that the previous owners of my home tiled over the laminate and I hate it!! It’s snowy white tile with white grout! I so badly want to remove it but I’m terrified of what the laminate looks like underneath.

  • Delores Snellen Delores Snellen on Jul 28, 2018

    have you thought about painting the countertop? Giana has paint kit and your counter top could look like granite

    • See 1 previous
    • Celeste Celeste on Aug 10, 2018

      I had considered it, but the research I’ve done says it isn’t super durable. My countertops take a bit of a beating because I’m forever using them for projects etc, not just food prep.

  • Twyla J Boyer Twyla J Boyer on Aug 06, 2018

    I, too, have rounded countertops and would like something different, but, having looked at many options, the best answer I have found it to live with them until I can afford to replace them. If I were going to do something before I can afford to replace them, I would opt for one of the paint kits - though all the results I have seen look like they were done with a paint kit. None of them really look like granite or marble.


    That said, you could try to find a way to build up a flat surface without rounded corners so you can tile, but doing so will leave you with counters that are not a standard height. Anything thick enough to not flex and therefore leave tile cracked or popping off will be rather costly and heavy. Plus, tile is very hard to keep clean on a counter because of the grout.

    • Celeste Celeste on Aug 10, 2018

      I may agree with you here. These counters are very old and a bit low to begin with. I’m considering putting wood over them and boxing them in now. Distress the wood and a million coats of something over the top. I have to install a dishwasher first, so I may as well do it all at once.


      Thank you for the insight!

  • Delores Snellen Delores Snellen on Aug 11, 2018

    Could could always install a center island to do projects on Might be able to find a slab of granite or other stone cheap

    • Celeste Celeste on Aug 11, 2018

      The problem is I hate the laminate that is existing. The island will happen, but not until I’ve dealt with the existing. But I love the way you think!

  • Cindy Hagemann Cindy Hagemann on Aug 23, 2018

    Pop them off and build the counter you want out of wood or do butcher block. We did butcher block - ordered from Lumber Liquidators, 4 years ago. It was so inexpensive and love how durable it is.

  • Kristin Gambaccini Kristin Gambaccini on Aug 23, 2018

    We used feather finish concrete on our rounded countertops (stained brown to better fit our decor) and it was a great solution!