AFFORDABLE COUNTERTOPS
Affordable Yet Still Style Friendly Countertops
Over the course of the 10 years that we've been at the farmhouse and the last 5 at the cabin, we have always had strict budgets to make any updates with. And one of the most expensive items to update are usually countertops! I didn't think that you should have to sacrifice design for cost, and found some great alternatives for inexpensive (yet high end looking) countertops!
#1 - Butcher Block
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One of my favorite inexpensive countertops to use are butcher block. They are so budget friendly, you can cut and install them yourself, and you also can really create them to fit any asthetic with a little stain and water;) These are our cabin kitchen countertops and I get asked so often how they hold up next to the sink. The first thing I learned is that you are never supposed to seal countertops with a poly. Over time I have seen sealed butcher block countertops that are around a sink start to peel and it's not pretty. Also, I used Minwax's Special Walnut to get a warm wood tone for these countertops.
Instead, you use an oil to oil your countertops to keep them from drying out and cracking. We have had these counters in the cabin for 5 years now (in extreme elements) and they are still holding up great! I was recommended by a few people to oil them every week, but honestly, I only oil mine once a month and they are doing great!
I use this butcher block oil, and it only takes me 10 minutes to do. I usually do it at night so I can clear off the countertop and allow it to dry overnight before setting anything back on it. I then squirt some oil on and rub it in with a rag. I try to get an even coat and make sure dry spots (especially around the sink) get oiled well! It brings new life to the counters and will extend their life! At the cabin we used an 8' piece and a 6' piece and the total cost for the entire kitchen for $523!!
I also used butcher block in my new office redo at home. It's amazing how different butcher block can look. In the cabin I wanted warm tones to match the floors so I went with a warmer "special walnut" stain. In the office I wanted more of a white oak look that was a little classier to go with the aesthetic there so I used a white paint/water stain mixture to apply and then actually sealed them with a matte wax to not change the color like oil can do ! I have a whole blog post HERE on how I stained them.
This is the exact same butcher block countertop with a whole different feel in our Proverbs31girl office space! Much more of a simply and sleek look to them.
I love that butcher block can really be created into whatever look and tone you are envisioning! For the office we used 2-8' sections for a total of $532, a great deal for a huge custom desk!
Check out the whole process for these office countertops HERE!
#2 - Marble Laminate Countertop
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Marble Laminate Countertop. An amazing inexpensive knockoff. We added a little buffet area to the porch at our cabin a while back. The use of this set up is 100% better and more practical without having to trek through the whole cabin to get to the kitchen for a meal, we are able to pop right into the porch.
The marble laminate is the perfect way to dress this space up for less but still get a pretty look.
The fun part about laminate is you can buy it in stock and bring it home the same day! $124 for an 8' piece and It has held up wonderfully over the past couple of years.
#3 - Painted Plywood
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An inexpensive 4'x8' sheet of plywood can be cut at home to any custom size and painted to match your design.. We added a piece to our IKEA cabinets in our mudroom to transform them into a credenza!
The Plywood we cut right in half to make this exact look. Only using half of the plywood makes if even more budget friendly and can be used for another countertop or project as well.
Next I painted it a true black color...
I also used this iron on veneer edging on the ends of the plywood to add a little something extra. It comes a wood color but put a coat of paint on it to match the same color of the plywood.
The edging gives more of a finished look to the plywood. You honestly wouldn't even guess it is wood, it looks so much more high end which I am so happy with!
This countertop is so super easy to execute, anyone can totally accomplish it!
I never want to sacrifice design for budget so I hope these 3 options make you realize that even if you see a look on IG or a magazine and think you can't afford, there are great ways to achieve a similar look on any budget!
