Looking for an easy and affordable laminate countertop update? Here are two ideas that you could DIY today! Well, as soon as Amazon delivers the goods… While they are not substitutes for that dreamy quartz you’ve been eyeing, they might lift your mood while you save up for it.
Check out our affordable DIY kitchen remodel here!
Affordable Laminate Countertop Update #1 – PAINT
Did you know that you can actually paint a laminate countertop? I’ve seen some great products that are advertised to stand up to a busy, working kitchen. You can pick a solid color or even paint a faux “marble” or “granite” pattern that imitates the real deal. This is the one I tried.
In all honesty, I haven’t painted a laminate countertop, but I did paint the solid surface windowsill in my last kitchen. I bought this Rust-oleum Countertop Coating product at Home Depot, and I had it tinted to Light Ash at the paint counter. The side of the can lists the 16 tint options, so if you want a color other than the base color, you’ll have to get it mixed before you buy it in store.
It really stinks (literally). Know that going in, and paint on a nice day when you can air out your house. You’ll thank me later for this advice. I think the fumes are due to the special formula, which does result in a pretty tough surface once it cures. I could see this working well on a countertop, and it gets pretty good reviews (as a product, not for smell!).
Last note, I used my favorite disposable foam brushes for this project, since I only painted a windowsill. I would use the recommended foam rollers for a countertop, to get the best coverage and finish.
Other highly reviewed products for painting laminate countertops:
Giani Paint Kits – Marble | White Diamond | Bombay Black | more options!
Rust-oleum Countertop Transformations Kit
Read More About Our DIY House Updates
Favorite Behr White Paint Colors
Closet Door Ideas to Update Any Room
The Best Flooring for Every Room in Your Home
Trends in Cabinet Hardware
Affordable Laminate Countertop Update #2 – CONTACT PAPER
Believe it or not, you can use contact paper to cover your old laminate countertops. I remember covering a doll clothes case for my Ginny Dolls with denim contact paper as a kid. It’s come a long way since then!
I tried this today on a small section of countertop next to our range. Since our quartz replacement plans are temporarily on hold while we wait out Covid-19, I really wanted to try this cheap laminate countertop update. DIY projects don’t get much easier than contact paper, so you really have nothing to lose. I used this contact paper. It won’t last forever, but it’s a decent temporary fix.
How to Cover a Countertop with Contact Paper
Supplies for This Project
contact paper | drywall knife (not pictured) | towel | scissors
The steps are pretty simple. First, clean the laminate surface really well, degreasing if necessary.
Next, measure and cut the contact paper to fit the first sections you plan to cover. I started with the front edge and the backsplash. (We had already removed the countertop to install a new pantry. I just put it on the floor to complete this project.)
Then, cover the top of the countertop with one continuous piece of contact paper (if possible). I didn’t align the pattern, although you could certainly try.
TIP: Use a drywall taping knife wrapped in a towel to firmly smooth down the contact paper as you unpeel the backing. You’ll want to push out as many air bubbles as you possibly can. I still have a couple of bubbles, but they are not in very visible places, so I can live with it.
I ordered this contact paper on Amazon and am pretty pleased with it. It’s a fairly thick weight and didn’t stretch or distort through this project.
Read More About Our DIY House Updates
Favorite Behr White Paint Colors
Closet Door Ideas to Update Any Room
The Best Flooring for Every Room in Your Home
Trends in Cabinet Hardware
Ta-Da! A “New” Countertop
If you’re desperate for a kitchen facelift, hopefully, one of these options for an affordable laminate countertop update will work for you! This feels like the perfect time to DIY right now. Give it a shot and let me know how it goes!
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We’ve purchased a used RV to park on our ‘someday’ home which we are purchasing for our retirement years. My husband has already completed quite a few important tasks for the stability and livability of the RV. I’ve been working on some of the aesthetic aspects! I’ve hung curtains and we put in new furniture. I also have purchased some contact paper in order to cover the laminate!! I’ve seen LOTS of makeovers with painted kitchens. Not planning on doing that! I think I prefer the wood color to white. So, ironically, I purchased a wood grain looking contact paper. (I really hope it won’t be way too much wood in a tiny space!). I really appreciate your step by step instructions and helpful tips!
That sounds like a fun project, Eileen! Good luck with the updates! I found the corners to be the trickiest parts with contact paper. The good news is, it’s such an affordable update that if you don’t like it, there’s not much heartache in changing it to something else. Have fun!
I just did the contact paper too and it worked great! I love the new look of my countertops and they go so great with our cabinets now. We had the cabinet doors replaced this last summer by N-Hance of Fort Wayne and have been looking for a way to update our countertops ever since. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Alicia, I’m so glad to hear that this project worked out for you! Thanks for sharing.
Just curious – how’s the conact paper countertop holding up?
Does it scratch easy or get nicked or is it pretty durable?
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for the questions! First, it was only a temporary experiment before we got new countertops installed, so I no longer have it. For the few months that we had the contact paper in use, it seemed to hold up really well! The one that I bought was thick, so it didn’t get scratched or tear. My only complaint was that the corners started to peel up where I had wrapped it around the formica. If you have a better way to secure it underneath, along the edges (maybe with glue?), that would probably be a good idea. Also, I thought it was a pretty affordable gamble, just to give it a try. Good luck!