Easy Ways to Transform Your Kitchen by Yourself

When it comes to transforming a kitchen, the first thing to go is usually the countertop. After all, it is often the statement piece; therefore, by simply changing the countertop up, the entire space seems to be transformed as well. That being said, though, there are many different countertops to choose from at different price points, making the choice difficult. For example, you can choose anything from marble to stone to laminate. However, while you can choose cheaper options, it is still pretty expensive to install a new countertop surface. That being said, though, there are unique ways to freshen up your countertops without having to spend an arm and a leg for it. Down below, we have outlined some DIY kitchen countertop projects that you can use as inspiration for your next kitchen transformation. 

Concrete Countertops

While concrete may have once been frowned upon as a countertop surface as it did not look as nice as other materials, today, it has become one of the most popular surfaces and for good reasons. For one, a concrete countertop in the kitchen can look like virtually anything that you want it to as you can transform it into any shape, design, and color. It is also a very durable surface that is resistant to heat and stains, which could not be a more perfect attribute for the kitchen. In addition, concrete countertops cost a lot less than other materials, making it a much cheaper solution in comparison to replacing it with other materials such as granite or marble, for instance. As a result, changing up your kitchen countertop with the help of concrete has proven time and time again to be incredibly beneficial and rewarding. Arguably, though, one of the biggest advantages is the fact that you can DIY concrete countertops. While you are able to completely get rid of your countertop and exchange it with a concrete slab, you can make your DIY concrete countertop project a bit simpler by covering your countertop instead. In other words, you will just have to coat the countertop with a few layers of cement, sand every layer, and then seal the final product. The process is easier, while the end result is just as durable as installing an entire slab. That being said, regardless of the route that you will go, you will follow similar techniques and use the same tools and materials. 

Granite and Marble Countertops

As we mentioned earlier, you can make concrete look like whatever it is that you desire. Therefore, if you are going for a surface similar to that of granite or marble, you can mix together various stains and dyes in order to achieve that look. However, there are other ways that you can accomplish these looks. For example, you can use heavy-duty contact paper that looks like either granite or marble to cover your old countertop. It is very inexpensive, while it is simple to do. The beauty of it is that if you are renting out a property or are not quite sure what it is that you want, this contact paper is easy to remove. However, it is still durable, so you can count on it to be a great material in the kitchen, too. 

When it comes to these two surfaces, you also have the option of simply painting over your countertop. While it is a bit more time consuming than the contact paper, it tends to be cheaper, and it is actually a more durable solution. For granite, you will need to sponge on many different layers of paint in different colors. For a bit of a shine, we recommend adding a few sponge coatings of glitter! Creating a surface similar to that of marble also requires several layers of sponge coats, but you may also want to place some veins and featherings into it with a paintbrush to make it look more realistic. 

Alternative Cover-Up Styles

For those who want to change their countertop drastically, we suggest changing it to an unconventional color. For example, you could paint your old countertop black. Not only does it look edgy and expensive, but it also hides stains very well. If you want to take it up a notch, you could also give chalkboard countertops a try. The process is quite simple, and the end result is very neat as it ends up resembling a surface similar to that of soapstone. In addition, it is really unique how you will be able to write on the countertop itself, which is actually quite a useful feature inside of a kitchen! 

While we did mention that contact paper is great for creating stone surfaces such as granite and marble, it can be used for other designs and styles, too. For instance, for those looking for a surface that resembles butcher block, you can find wood grain contact paper to get just that but at a fraction of the cost. Contact paper also comes in unique designs such as polka dots, which, while may be a bold choice, ends up looking quite stunning in a well thought out kitchen. 

Another fun way to cover up old countertops is by taking advantage of any tile that you may have leftover. After all, tile is heat and moisture resistant while it looks amazing. It is quick to do, and it not only boasts beautiful results, but it is also highly practical, too. 

Now, if you have laminate, you have a bit of an advantage as you can easily cover up your previous countertop with a new sheet of laminate. It is easy to accomplish, and you will end up with a countertop that is a bit thicker than the previous one, making it look not only fresh, but also more durable. 

As you can see, changing up your kitchen countertop does not have to be as complicated or as expensive as you may have initially thought. Give one of these methods a try today!