25 Amazing DIY Countertop Ideas you can make for cheap

Painting Countertops to look like Marble

Painting our old laminate countertops to look like marble was a huge risk, but it was definitely worth it! You would absolutely never guess that they were painted. The real key to what made these countertops look so beautiful is the pour-on sealer that I used to finish them.

Painting Countertops to Look Like Slate

Here’s a different take on painted countertops – these have the dark, matte finish of slate. And surprisingly, they were painted using chalkboard paint! This is a beautiful look but Kate from Kate Decorates does warn she doesn’t recommend these for a busy kitchen.

Painted Tile Countertops

Painting outdated tile countertops is an easy, inexpensive way to quickly update them. As long as you use the right primer and paint, painted tile actually holds up really well over time.

Painting Laminate Countertops a Solid Color

This is another great take on painting ugly laminate countertops. Instead of attempting a fancy finish, Angie from Postcards for the Ridge simply used a nice neutral color and it looks beautiful!

Painted Countertop Update Seven Years Later

For anyone who’s wondering how good an idea painting countertops actually is, I put together an update on how my own painted kitchen counters were holding up after seven years of use. This post shares the honest truth of how the finish has held up, how they really look now, and whether I would do it again.

DIY Epoxy Countertops

Epoxy can be a bit tricky to work with, but wow are these epoxy countertops gorgeous! You would never know there was ugly green formica underneath that beautiful finish. The epoxy really gives it a shine and depth of color that looks nothing like paint.

Countertop Updated with Rustoleum Countertop Transformations

If you’ve ever been curious how well those countertop transformation kits really work, Angela from Blue I Style shares all the details. The kits come with everything you need to make your old laminate countertops look like granite and are available in several different colors.

Countertop Updated with Giani Granite Countertop Kit

Giani Granite makes another popular kit that includes everything you need to paint your countertops to look like granite. These kits are available in several different granite colors as well as quartz and marble-look countertop kits. Randi from Dukes and Duchesses put one to the test on her bathroom counter and is sharing all the details.

Counters Updated with Spreadstone Granite Coating

Spreadstone Granite is a third option for updating your dated countertops using a pre-made kit. The Spreadstone kit is available in 11 different colors and includes everything you need to give your old countertops the look of granite. Ann’s Entitled Life used this to update a rental kitchen and did note that while these countertops are very durable, the final color looked nothing like what was advertised, so be sure to read reviews before selecting a color.

DIY Wooden Countertop

This rustic wooden countertop is made from inexpensive wood planks and has a gorgeous spa-like vibe. Kati from Houseful of Handmade shares a full step-by-step tutorial for building your own along with tips for protecting the wood from moisture.

DIY Herringbone Wood Countertops

These wood countertops were made using simple inexpensive pine boards, but that herringbone pattern really makes them into a showstopper. The post includes clear step by step instructions along with tips for waterproofing your wood counters.

Simple DIY Wood Countertops

These DIY wood countertops are super easy to build using just two wood planks, but they still look amazing. This is a great look if you are interested in a more modern take on wood countertops – plus the total cost was less than $50!

DIY Torched Wood Countertop

These torched wood countertops are a completely different take on wood countertops. The torched finish gives such a lively, vibrant look and the post includes lots of tips for the actual torching process as well as sealing the finished counter.

DIY Concrete Bathroom Countertop

These DIY concrete countertops from H2O Bungalow are perfect if you want a bit of an industrial vibe for your space. They are budget-friendly and you can choose from a wide range of colors for your concrete mix.

DIY Concrete Kitchen Countertops

Here’s another version of some beautiful DIY concrete countertops, this time in the kitchen. They really add so much warmth to this space! The tutorial from Run to Radiance answers lots of common questions about things like cost and maintenance.

DIY Pour-in Place Concrete Countertops

These concrete countertops were created using a completely different method. Instead of being created in molds and then flipped over, these are poured in place. Because of the differences in the process, this method tends to give more of that beautiful color variation to the finish.

Countertop Update with Marble Contact Paper

Contact paper is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to update your countertops. Plus, it’s removable, so this is a great solution for renters. Contact paper doesn’t sound the most durable, but Anika’s DIY Life shared a full update almost a year later and they were still going strong!

Countertop Update with Granite Contact Paper

Here’s another fun take on contact paper countertops using waterproof granite contact paper. The Handyman’s Daughter walks you through how to install contact paper countertops and also shows how easy it is to remove it when the time comes.

Countertop Update with Peel and Stick Vinyl

Another option for a super easy stick-on countertop is Instant Granite, a PVC vinyl film that you can stick right over your old countertops to give them an entirely new look. Lindsey from Repurpose and Upcycle shares how she completely transformed her bathroom counter and also shares some tips for getting the best results.

Fabricate and Install Your own Solid Surface Countertop

To be totally honest, I had no idea you even could fabricate your own solid surface countertops! Solid surface countertops (often called by the brand name Corian) basically come as large flat sheets of material that you can then combine with a wooden base to create a seamless countertop. When Melissa from Welcome to the Woods couldn’t find an affordable fabricator to make her countertops, she made them herself and documented the whole process in a series of video tutorials. And the finished results are gorgeous!

DIY Laminate Countertops

Did you know you can also build your own DIY laminate countertops? Buying sheets of laminate is much, much cheaper than buying laminate countertops. This tutorial at The Craft Patch shows you step-by-step how to create much cheaper laminate countertops using inexpensive sheets of laminate and mdf.

Installing Laminate Countertops

While laminate countertops aren’t quite so DIY as the other options here, I wanted to include these because they are a super budget-friendly option that has come a long way in recent years. There are lots of really beautiful finish options available including beveled edges. Martina from The Lived In Look shares why she chose laminate countertops as well as a guide to installing them yourself.

More budget kitchen ideas I think you’ll like:

• 21 of the Best Budget Kitchen Makeovers under $1000
• 30 Painted Kitchen Cabinet Ideas in a Variety of Beautiful Colors
• Painting Oak Kitchen Cabinets White

I’d love for you to share this post on Pinterest!