A kitchen remodel is always a good idea, right? Of course! Unless, that is, you don’t have the money. Working in an uninspiring kitchen every day can be such a drag. It can definitely make it harder to push through the mundane daily tasks of cooking, and washing those dirty dishes.
Some people truly enjoy cooking and they want their kitchen to bring out their most creative ideas and flavors. Some people don’t love it, but getting to spend their time in a beautiful workspace at least makes the task more bearable.
Either way, a kitchen remodel is a project many of us desire to tackle at some point in our home ownership journey. But what to do when the budget is tight and you just can’t afford those brand new cabinets you’ve been eyeing? You hack the whole thing, of course!
Whether you are looking to completely revamp your kitchen or just hoping to give it a bit of a facelift, there are plenty of budget-friendly options to explore. Today, we’ll be going over some great ways that you can hide your laminate countertops, taking your kitchen game up a notch while keeping your wallet happy.
Give your laminate countertops a fresh look with some paint
By far the cheapest option, painting your laminate countertops is also a fairly simple process. However, it requires some prep, and you can’t skimp or the paint won’t stick right. Make sure you do the proper amount of sanding, cleaning, priming, etc, or you might end up with a big mess instead of the new look you were aiming for.
A solid color will keep the process easy and straightforward. However, if you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, there are plenty of tutorials online for painting your countertops to resemble more expensive materials such as marble or granite.
Cover them up with concrete
Concrete countertops have become increasingly popular in recent years. They’re beautiful but they can also be quite expensive. And making them yourself can be a very tricky process. However, there are ways to fake the look.
This homeowner used a cement product intended for floor preparation and repair. With a lot of patience, she created a gorgeous faux-concrete finish over her laminate countertops. It was cheap, and it looks great!
Make them look expensive with a countertop resurfacing kit
If you do a quick search, you will find that there are many countertop resurfacing kits available. They range in price, and also in difficulty. Some are quite easy to apply, while others require a meticulous hand and lots of patience.
With these kits you can inexpensively achieve the look of stone, granite, concrete, and a host of other materials. There are many colors and variations available as well, giving you endless options to choose from. You won’t have a hard time finding one that goes well with your kitchen aesthetic.
Hide them with a beautiful tile
This tutorial uses ceramic tiles to cover an existing laminate countertop and give it a new look. One good thing about going the tile route is there are a million different kinds of tile to choose from! We love the idea of going with a bold color to really pop in a neutral kitchen.
If you aren’t happy with the prices you see, try checking some place like your local Habitat for Humanity ReStore for donated tiles. Often, local construction companies will end up with too much after a project and will donate the rest. You can score some great prices and support a good cause at the same time.
Get excited about your new, budget-friendly countertops and start putting them to use
The constraints of a budget always seem to bring out the most creative side of people. It can be hard to work around, but the results are so satisfying. A DIY project can certainly make you realize how much you are capable of, and can push you to enjoy your completed project even more than having it done by someone else.
So now that you have your swanky new countertops, take the time to enjoy them. Think about hosting family or friends for Thanksgiving, or bake some cookies to take to your elderly neighbors. The kitchen can be a source of inspiration, and it can also be a place to draw others in and wrap them in warmth and love and good food. Take a look at this list of 9 fall-inspired dishes to get ideas for some amazing, yummy comfort foods you can make to break in your new countertops and start enjoying your new, updated space.
About EZ Homes Design Team
