5 Easy Ways to Reinvent Your Old Countertop Without Installing a New One

5 Easy Ways to Reinvent Your Old Countertop Without Installing a New One

Ask yourself this: What part of a kitchen undergoes the most abuse? Cabinets? Well, they are used a lot, but abused? Not really.

Backsplash? Sure. But do any of those endure what a countertop does? No, definitely not. There is nothing in the kitchen that sees traffic as the countertop does, and this is the reason why an old, overused countertop is a very common sight in homes even as cabinets and other hardware look new-ish

So how does one make a countertop look new? The simplest route: Installing a new countertop! But that is easier said than done. It is expensive, time-taking and unless you are going for a complete overhaul, you also would have to pick a new one that matches the existing design theme of your kitchen. And oh, need we remind you that if you are renting a house, a new countertop is not even an option?

And that is where the good ole’ internet comes to rescue. There are tonnes of DIY ideas that can help you breathe life into your countertop, but you don’t necessarily have to take the matters in your hands. Suppliers can help you if you are looking to save time and money too. Nonetheless, no matter how you decide to proceed, these ideas are bound to spruce up the place.

1. Cleaning and Polishing

Most countertop materials are built to last years but gather a lot of grease, grime and smudges over time. So the truth is that your countertop doesn’t need to be replaced or reworked, it simply needs to be cleaned thoroughly.

Thankfully, you do not need to rely on professionals to do that. There are many cleaning agents available in the market for each type of countertop material; all you need to do is pick the right one and get to work. Cleaning the kitchen regularly is a sure shot way to ensure their long shelf life — so it’s a good idea to know the cleaning hacks in the long run as well.

Oh, before we forget, don’t forget to reseal your natural stone countertops every now and then (and especially after cleaning) to keep them in good condition. The last thing you want is for the pores to open and the water resistance to go down — it not only leads to water damage but the buildup of bacteria as well.

2. Painting Your Old Countertop

You are probably wondering how does that even work. Well, in short, VERY well,

There are enough people on the internet who have successfully done it and bragged about the results. This works well with linoleum as well as stone countertops and is an extremely quick and efficient way to give a new look to the countertop. Of course, you can’t use any paint you want as this will require a material that can resist heat and chipping.

Thankfully, even if you have zero artistic skills, you don’t have to worry. If you are not used to painting uniform strokes, using spray paint followed by a sealant can be the way to go. However, paint spray must be done in completely dust-free zones and you have to cover other equipment for precaution. Whatever you use, it is important to seal your paint with at least three coats of polyurethane for it to be long-lasting.

Here’s a word of caution: Although there are many painting kits available online, just remember that painted countertops are prone to chipping in hardworking kitchens. An epoxy layer can prevent that from happening when applied as a topcoat.

3. Covering Countertops

You are told not to put a lid on your emotions and/or feelings but in the case of countertops, you surely can!

Have an old door that is lying aimlessly in the yard or the garage? Bring it out, trim it, file the edges and you have a butcher-block-like countertop for no money! A wooden countertop adds a whole new rustic look to your kitchen and can simply be refinished when it gets scratches.

Some people even go creative and use materials like wood veneer, fabric or metal to add a layer on top of the countertop. But our personal favorite are tiles. We at Kitchen and Bath Shop love the unique looks you can create with a combination of tiles on the countertop.

Fancy the chessboard? Why not cook on one? Black and white tiles can be arranged in a checkered way to create the pattern on the countertop. Some homeowners create their own patterns with tiles for a whole new look — only the sky and your creativity are the limits!

4. Concrete Plans

First and foremost, let us just say that concrete is one of the sturdiest materials out there. While its strength is indubitable, its flexibility also allows it to be poured into basically any shape and size.  You know, you can simply pour a concrete countertop!

But here’s the thing: Concrete can be really hard to handle too. We can’t recommend getting a professional enough while dealing with it. But before you shun it, consider getting a concrete coating instead. Widely available online, it is a simple and affordable way to get the look of a real slab at a fraction of the cost.

5. Stick it Up

We all know that these ideas can easily be applied to our homes. But when you have a nosey landlord, a temporary-but-useful solution to an old countertop can be stickers.

No, we don’t mean cartoonish stickers that your kids play with. We are talking about the water-resistant vinyl film. People attest that it is one of the best options you can buy at affordable rates. It is easy to install as it comes with self-adhesive backing and is available in a variety of finishes. It not only gives your countertop a new look, but when combined with polyurethane as a sealant, it creates a lasting solution to boring old countertops.

Related: 10 Reasons Why Marble Countertop Is Best for Your Kitchen