I’m a big advocate of using what you have, or in this case, transforming what you have. Any renovation is going to be time consuming and pricey, so why not just skip all that mess? Counters are especially expensive, so today, I’m showing you some different DIY kitchen counter makeovers that cost less than $100. Using…CONCRETE. Color you intrigued? That was actually a pun, and you’ll find out why later:-)
A common misconception is that in order to change what you have, you have to completely start over.
That’s not how I do things, friends. And here’s why giving new life to what you already have matters: it keeps it from the landfill, it saves time and money, it’s one of a kind, it gets you involved in your own home. All good things.
If you have those old laminate counters that are peeling or just not looking so great, think of them as the foundation for your DIY. The counters are already built! They are cut, measured, and structurally sound, so why get rid of all the hard work that’s already been done for you? Silly, goose.
First Up…Why Concrete?
Concrete is such an affordable, durable, and versatile material that is so underutilized. This is a project that just requires a few items and can be done in a weekend. How’s that for design expediency?
Using concrete, you can do an overlay (called a ‘skim coat’) that will revive your tired counters and add some beautiful texture. Look at this insanely beautiful texture Lovely Imperfection got with her concrete over laminate DIY. Can you believe that’s concrete?
You also have different colors and finishes. You can choose a seal that makes the concrete matte, shiny, darker, etc. You can even add pigments to your concrete mix! So if you want the terracotta counters of your Italian countryside dreams, you can have them, sister!
I wouldn’t do this kitcif you have stone counters (yes, even outdated granite). I already have a post on how to modernize your stone counters. This DIY is for people with laminate or other material that’s essentially engineered or “fake”.
The average kitchen renovation costs over $60,000. That can buy a small home in some areas! It doesn’t make sense to me to spend that much just because…it’s outdated? If your current setup is structurally sound and safe, why not reuse it?
Check out this before and after of Seeking Lavender Lane‘s kitchen. All that was done was a coat of paint for the cabinets, new hardware, and this DIY kitchen counter makeover using concrete. If you want bang for your buck, this is it.
7 DIY Kitchen Counter Makeovers for Under $100
I have included 7 different styles of DIY kitchen counter makeovers using concrete…but really, the possibilities are endless. I’ve also included The first 4 are your easy DIYs (which are still insanely beautiful). The last 3 styles are for those who want to create something more unique and artistic.
Styles:
1. Matte Gray
Tutorial courtesy of Juniper Home
You have a couple options in the matte gray department. You can get a nice smooth even look like Jenny Komenda did, with minimal variation, OR you can get more of an organic/stone look with more variation by following Joe and Cheryl’s tutorial.
2. Polished Gray
Tutorial courtesy of A Beautiful Mess
A note about a polished finish…anything shiny will show scuffs and scratches. So, be mindful of that. If you want something pristine looking, this shiny sealant wouldn’t be great for a family with little ones or if your kitchen is the workhorse of the home.
3. White
Tutorial courtesy of Liz Morrow Design
UGHHH. This one is my absolute fave. The marble look is in, and you know how I feel about marble in the kitchen, so this is a great alternative to get that light look without the preciousness.
4. Black
Tutorial courtesy of Semigloss Design
I love this one so much too. It kind of looks like soapstone or slate, right? I’ve been absolutely drooling over Jenny Komenda’s soapstone island. Matte black is soo in and this DIY kitchen counter is just downright sexy.
5. Pigmented
Tutorial courtesy of Do it Yourself
Ok! Stay with me, people! The colors above are the pure pigments to show the color you can get. I am not suggesting you get a neon yellow kitchen island…unless you want to!
There are terracotta pigments, bluestone pigments, and also very bright varieties. If you want to do something colorful and fun in the laundry room, then go to town. You can get both neutral and bold variations with pigment.
Buddy Rhodes offers the largest and most pigmented variety of colorants (that I’ve found). Their Specialty Collection (pictured above) features 400 colors from the Benjamin Moore paint line. Adding pigment (powder) or dye (liquid) to your concrete is just another way to add customization.
By matching your concrete with your wall or cabinet paint, you can create something that looks suuuuuper expensive and custom. Colorants can be mixed with concrete or, and this is super cool, come in the form of a glaze that will stain your precast concrete!
Pricing Note: There are A TON of affordable dyes and powder pigments out there…including at your local hardware store! The Buddy Rhodes line can put the project over $100, but they had the best pictures to demonstrate what a pigment can do.
6. Textured (skill: medium)
Tutorial courtesy of DIY Fun Ideas
To me, this DIY kitchen counter makeover is the showstopper option. SO GOOD, RIGHT? Oh, that texture; it doesn’t even look like concrete! This is insanely gorgeous but does require a little finessing. No biggie, just check out the tutorial and maybe try some test pieces on scraps of wood so that you can get your technique down.
7. Stained (skill: medium)
Tutorial courtesy of Lovely Imperfection
Magnolia
Did you know you could stain concrete? Well, you sure can, my ma’ams! This technique is used a lot in flooring applications. Why? Because it looks expensive and like stone. The stain creates variations in the concrete that adds depth and interest.
Are you a visual person? Me, too. Here’s a video tutorial showing some guys staining with different colors. Don’t be intimidated; they do this professionally, so just watch their technique and the end result.
Ok, But What About Durability?
Yeah, that’s a great question, because it seems like this technique would be the equivalent of a nail polish top coat…which we all know chips, despite marketing claims. But! This is different. Remodelaholic was kind enough to give us some reviews by people who did this DIY kitchen counter makeover. The consensus is: they hold up very well.
I hope today’s post left you inspired to tackle some of the things in your home that you previously thought you needed thousands of dollars to update. I hunted the internet for hours trying to find tutorials with a great outcome that I would choose for myself.
I have a wood style laminate in my kitchen, so if I didn’t rent, I would do one of these (probably the white or black) in a heartbeat. I would be thrilled if you showed me pictures of this DIY in your own home. Happy concreting!
-Kristen
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