What is the cheapest DIY countertop?

Last Updated on December 12, 2022

One of the most expensive parts of a makeover for a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room renovation is the countertops. To save money and stay on budget, we have DIYed kitchen counters and a bathroom vanity using 2 different methods. And they turned out GREAT! So if you don't like your countertops but don't want to spend a fortune, try one of these affordable DIY countertop ideas!

The two methods we have used to update our outdated countertops are just TWO of the options out there! I have been floored by all the amazing DIY countertops out there! SO many talented bloggers have come up with budget-friendly options and tutorials. I've found the best DIY concrete countertops, DIY wood countertops and more from around the web. You are sure to find the perfect one for whatever room you are working on!

DIY Countertops That Will Blow Your Mind

DIY Painted Marble Countertops

Did you know you can paint your countertops to look like marble? Yep! I painted the outdated granite countertops in our budget-friendly kitchen makeover and have zero regrets. In fact, I've been so happy with it that I've also done it as part of Attley's bathroom renovation and Avery's bathroom makeover as well! They have been painted for about 18 months now and are holding up beautifully. You can even watch a short video to see how we did it below!

Faux Marble Countertops Using Contact Paper

If you love the idea of faux marble countertops but are nervous about painting yours like I did, check out these faux marble counters by Anika's DIY Life. Hers turned out beautifully!

DIY Butcher Block Countertops

These simple but beautiful butcher block countertops by Tidbits are classically beautiful and very affordable! And can we all swoon over the marble accent under the faucet?!

The Easiest DIY Concrete Vanity Top–No Forms or Heavy Lifting Required

When we gave the powder room in our a facelift I used this a concrete overlay using the same technique we used on our DIY concrete fireplace. I had no idea if it would work on a vanity and in a sink, but it totally did! It looked perfect for several years before we tackled our full powder room renovation. This is one of my most popular DIY projects of all time. Thousands of people have done this in their homes. It's gorgeous and only cost me about $20 to do!

DIY Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops are absolutely beautiful, but they are very expensive to hire out (trust me, I know… We hired our the concrete counter for the island in one of our homes). This DIY Solid White Concrete Countertop by Oak Abode is absolutely beautiful and it's super budget-friendly!

DIY White Concrete Kitchen Countertops

These white concrete kitchen counters by Chris Loves Julia look like solid-surface counters that would cost thousands of dollars. They cost a fraction of the price and look just as beautiful!

DIY Wood Countertops

How pretty are these DIY wood counters by A House We Built? Such a high-end look on a small budget!

DIY Ebony Wood Countertops

Love the look of rich, dark countertops but don't have the budget for dark stone? Check out these DIY DIY ebony wood countertops by Lemon Thistle.

DIY Laminate Countertops

Did you know it's VERY simple to cut and install laminate countertops yourself? That's what The Craft Patch did and they look great! And laminate counters have come a long way, y'all! I can't get over how much their laminate countertops look like soapstone!

Faux Granite Countertops

Painting your counters to look like marble isn't the only option. Amanda at Love and Renovations painted her laminate counters to look like granite. It totally elevated the look of her kitchen on a tiny budget!

DIY Wood Waterfall Countertop

Can you believe that this modern and beautiful laundry room countertop is made out of plywood?! GENIUS! Solid surface countertops like quartz are so expensive. And waterfall countertops are stunning, but they can double the cost! This affordable DIY wood waterfall countertop by Mandi at Vintage Revivals is such a budget-friendly option!

DIY Wide-Plank Wood Counters

These DIY wide-planked wood counters by Simply Maggie look like solid walnut countertops but come in at a tiny fraction of the price. I am absolutely blown away by this DIY option!

Refinish and Revive Old Butcher Block Countertops

Last but not least… If you have existing butcher block countertops that look bad, don't give up on them! It took me about an hour to refinish the butcher block countertops in my friend Thea's kitchen. They look absolutely beautiful!

I love all these tutorials! SO many great ideas out there. Even though I really love concrete, I also adored the beautiful wood countertops we had in one of our old houses. Which of these countertop options works best for your renovation? Looking at all these is getting my juices flowing on what type of countertop we should use in our upcoming pantry project.

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Are you tired of your outdated countertops but don’t have the budget for an upgrade? These affordable DIY countertop ideas are a low-cost alternative to buying new countertops. And they’re gorgeous to look at!

If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry room but find yourself cringing at the high cost of new countertops, worry not! There are budget-friendly ways to revamp your space without breaking the bank.

When we updated our previous laundry room, our DIY wood countertops instantly transformed the space, with not a lot of effort and a small budget. So, if you’re not a fan of your current countertops and you’re looking to save some cash, go ahead and give these budget-friendly DIY kitchen countertop ideas solutions a shot. You won’t be disappointed!

If budget isn’t as much an issue, be sure and read about white quartz countertops pros and cons. They might be just what you are looking for!

1. Stain Your Own Countertops

Love the look of butcher block countertops but not the price tag? Then DIY your own!

We built our laundry room countertop in an afternoon, and stained and sealed it over the next few afternoons. And it still looks brand new a year later!

This is a perfect novice project because you really can’t mess it up. You can stain the wood counters any color that fits your style and as long as it has a few coats of polyurethane, it will stand up to any spill!

2. How to Build and Protect Wooden Countertops

Another clever tutorial for wood countertops with tips on how to maintain them.

Wooden Countertops via Houseful of Handmade

3. DIY Concrete Countertop

Poured concrete countertops are very trendy these days and add a cool industrial feel to a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room. This is one project where I recommend paying careful attention to not only the tutorial but reading any comments left by others that have tried it out.

DIY Concrete Countertop via H20 Bungalow

Learn how to make your own in only a few days with this tutorial.

4. Painted Laminate Countertop

If you’re on the fence about replacing your existing countertops, try painting them first. When done right and properly sealed, it looks really great and can be a great interim solution.

Painted Laminate Countertops via Postcards from the Ridge

5. Paint Laminate to Look like Granite

This is another great tutorial for those countertops with laminate material. Learn how to achieve a granite look on old laminate countertops using paint!

Paint Laminate to Look like Granite via Blue I Style

How amazing is this before and after? Using contact paper you can easily, quickly and very cheaply achieve the look of granite or marble for a whole new look!

Reface Countertops with Contact Paper via The Handymans Daughters

I did this years ago in our first home and couldn’t believe how well it looked. Make sure the edges are tight against the corners so that water can’t seep up under and you’ll be surprised how long this actually lasts.

7. Make Countertops Look Like Stone

Soapstone is a beautiful natural stone but the price (and maintenance!) can be off-putting. This tutorial will show you how to achieve the look in a budget-friendly way.

Make Laminate Countertops Look like Stone via Rain on a Tin Roof

8. Upholstered Countertops

Looking for a very different alternative to your regular old countertops? How about this upholstered countertop look? This would be a nice soft look in an office or dining room – somewhere where water won’t come into contact with the front edge or any corners.

Upholstered Countertops via Rain on a Tin Roof

9. DIY Granite Countertops

Learn the proper technique to achieve DIY granite countertops on your kitchen countertop or kitchen island.

DIY Granite Countertops via The Honeycomb Home

Want marble countertops but it’s just completely out of the budget? Or maybe you’re not sure the all-white look is for you. Try this technique for the look of marble first and see how it looks!

Painting Kitchen Countertops via In My Own Style

Chalkboard paint is both affordable and unique. If you’re up for something different, and have the perfect spot for it, try this easy step-by-step. If yours look anything like Ashley’s did, you’ll be in love with this great option!

Painting Laminate Countertops via Wildfire Interiors

Who would of thought we’d be using peel and stick wallpaper on our countertops? Most hardware stores will have a selection of wallpaper that is either faux wood or of similar texture that would look suitable.

Faux Wood Countertop with Peel and Stick Removable Wall via Stow and Tell U

This is a very easy way to achieve new countertops. Surprisingly, you can get a high-end look for practically nothing by going this route! Just be sure and check for air bubbles and ensure a tight fit around the edges to avoid water damage.

13. Tiled Countertop DIY (No Saw Required!)

All you need is a little elbow grease and determination! Recreate this look by mounting a cement backer board to a wooden board the size of your countertop. Then, adhere subway tiles (or granite tiles!) and tile grout to the backer board and mount the entire tiled board on your existing countertop with screws. 

Tiled Countertop DIY via A Beautiful Mess

14. How to Torch Wood | DIY Torched Wood Countertop

Try your hand at torched wooden countertops for a rustic charm appeal. All you really need are some wooden boards and a torch for these easy kitchen counters.

How to Torch Wood via Pine + Poplar

This one is the perfect solution for your laundry room, office, or mud room countertops! You won’t need a lot of money or a high DIY skill level to achieve this fun and modern spin on countertops.

Make a Laundry Room Counter from an Old Door via The DIY Mommy

Wow! So many amazing budget-friendly ideas for DIY countertops in your home. The best part? None of these require a ton of materials and you can easily pop into your local hardware store or Home Depot for what you need. Nothing fancy or confusing here!

Whether it’s your kitchen, bathroom or laundry room, I think you’ll find some great ideas to help you achieve the look you’re after, AND stay on budget!

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