Revamp your existing kitchen countertops or choose new ones
In many ways, kitchen countertops define kitchens. Since they take up a lot of room, they have a major impact on the look and feel of the space. Plus, they provide a surface for prepping, serving, entertaining, and sometimes paying bills or doing homework.
That’s why choosing the right material is so important. Fortunately, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to end up with kitchen countertops that look good and work well. Although some surfaces, like specialty marble, cost $190 per square foot, others, like laminate, can run as low as $5 per square foot.
Whether you paint or cover your existing countertops or replace them entirely, consider DIYing to save money on your countertop installation. Read on for 10 cheap countertop ideas on a budget.
The least expensive way to get the look of new countertops is to revamp the surface of your existing countertops. Try painting your wood, tile, laminate, or solid surface countertops with semigloss paint, which is easier to clean than a matte finish. Or stain your wood countertops a different color, like white or a natural wood stain.
As an alternative, cover your countertops with contact paper for countertops or colored or stone epoxy to mimic the look of stone or another solid surface.
If you plan to replace your kitchen countertops completely, laminate is one of the least expensive countertop options. Made from layers of plastic bonded to particleboard, this type of surface averages $25 per square foot (but can go as low as $5 per square foot).
For the most budget-friendly options, look for premade counters with built-in backsplashes. If you're DIY-savvy, you can save even more money by completing the installation yourself. Otherwise, you can hire a pro to do it for you.
Fortunately, laminate has become quite stylish and can even resemble stone or wood, thanks to the patterns embossed on its surface. If you install laminate countertops, always use a cutting board when slicing since laminate is susceptible to scratching. Over time, the material can also burn, stain, and peel.
Another popular kitchen countertop idea on a budget is tile. Tile is as economical as laminate—especially if you opt for ceramic or porcelain, which range from $5 to $30 per square foot. If your budget is slightly bigger, consider natural stone or granite tile, which costs $10 to $30 per square foot.
In addition to cost, tile is durable and resistant to heat and stains. Keep in mind that grout can stain if you don’t seal it regularly. Aim for narrow grout lines to cut down on the accumulation of dirt.
Also, since tiles can chip or crack, be sure to purchase extras as replacements. Before proceeding with this countertop material, ask a local countertop installer if your cabinets are strong enough to handle this heavy material. They might require reinforcement.
Beginning at $30 per square foot for recycled paper and $35 per square foot for recycled aluminum, these countertops combine resin with materials that would otherwise be destined for the landfill. Think of recycled paper composite countertops as an alternative to laminate, with the same durability.
Meanwhile, recycled aluminum is a less expensive alternative to stainless steel and will give your kitchen a sleek, modern look.
At $35 to $200 per square foot, wooden countertops are a bit more expensive. Fortunately, they aren’t difficult to install and repair (although you might want to hire a professional to seal them with epoxy). When nicks and scratches appear, just sand them out and re-oil.
That said, prepare to disinfect these countertops regularly and to oil them occasionally. Since wood is not impervious to stains and heat, clean up any spills immediately and use trivets with hot pans.
Made from acrylic and polyester, solid surface countertops are resistant to stains and easy to repair if they get scratched or burned. They also come in lots of bold colors and will give your kitchen a seamless look, especially if you opt for a matching sink and backsplash.
At $35 to $65 per square foot, these countertops cost about the same as butcher block countertops. For the fewest cracks and best installation, hire a professional.
Natural stone is generally considered the most expensive option, yet deals start at $40 per square foot. Look for overstocked, oversized, or chipped slabs or less popular colors. Big box stores and countertop retailers often run discounts and closeouts.
There are plenty of budget-friendly kitchen countertop ideas for your home. Whether you DIY or hire a pro, this is an upgrade that’s sure to make a big impact.
Concrete isn’t just for driveways or other outdoor surfaces; it can also be used as a durable material for your countertops. In some instances, you can even DIY concrete countertops for an even more budget-friendly upgrade. You can even find variations of concrete that resemble marble that cost about $70 per square foot if you’re looking for a material that looks high-end without a high price tag.
There’s butcher block, and then there’s the even less expensive option of using untreated cedar planks as your countertop. Plus, you can usually find the wood planks you need from your local hardware store. If you can’t find cedar planks, you can use other wood variations and stain them the color that works best with your cabinets for a more custom look. Note that if you attempt to DIY these countertops, you’ll need access to more expensive equipment such as a miter saw, a table saw, and a kreg jig.
Stainless steel is used in commercial kitchens because it’s tough, stain- and heat-resistant, and it is easy to maintain over time. It’s best used in more modern, sleek spaces with more traffic or consistent home cooking. Depending on how much countertop space you have to fill, stainless steel can cost about $60 per square foot to install, averaging around $4,000 for smaller projects.
Dina Cheney contributed to this piece.
