How to Update an Old Countertop to Look Like Beautiful Marble

by Anika Gandhi

1 Material

I took up a challenge to update the bathroom in our rental house. In order for the bathroom to look better, the old yellow counter NEEDED to get an update. Since, there is no way I could replace the countertop, I made this easy and cheap update and now it looks like beautiful marble.

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This is what the counter looked like when I started. Very yellow and dated! No matter how hard I cleaned, it never looked clean!

I started by cleaning up the counter with cleaning solutions and then followed it with a wipe down with rubbing alcohol. Then I cut marble contact paper to size and slowly peeled the backing away as I smoothed any bubbles with a credit card.

Around the Sink and the faucet, I used an exacto knife to cut out the shapes.

I covered all the edges and sides using little strips of contact paper. A couple hours of work and we have beautiful new counters! Isn't it amazing what (afilliate) Marble contact paper can do!!

These were a part of the Kids bathroom makeover. Take a look at the entire Kids bathroom makeover and all the tutorials!

Since it is a rental, everything is temporary and removable and needed only 2 tiny holes in the wall!

I managed to do the entire makeover for under $100 including a towel shelf with hooks, updating the light fixture and a wood valence.

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3 of 16 questions

Ann on Jul 03, 2019

This is beautiful but how does it hold up with normal, every day use. Would you suggest covering it with clear paint?

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Kimberly Pardue on Mar 05, 2020

What about the water ? Have u had a problem w/ it peeling?

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Karol on Jul 18, 2022

I want to paint my countertops. Can you show me or tell me the pros and cons of this?

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Lilith on Apr 15, 2021

It looks beautiful NOW but contact paper: no matter the brand will not last long. I have used contact paper for several projects and if there is contact routinely it will soon tear and come off. You may want to consider the countertop paint, it is a great way to get a new look and it will last.

4 Reply
- Mary on Jan 04, 2023
  
  It’s an apartment, nothing can be permanent. If it tears do it again or fix it.
  
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Sherril whitney on Aug 09, 2022

I used the contact paper that is supposed to be designed for use on countertops! After a year of daily use and and caring for my 2 year old grandson who loves to throw things onto the counter it still looks new!!

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