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DIY Faux Granite Countertops

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UPDATE: Click here to see how we feel about our painted cabinets and countertops one year later.

In case you missed it, I shared the “big reveal” of (phase one of) our kitchen makeover yesterday. Basically, it involved a lot of paint and elbow grease. We love the result, but I have to say that the countertops are the part where I knew we were taking a risk. We originally planned to do a concrete overlay, and we still might, but we decided to try out this treatment first because it was significantly cheaper and easier.

What is it?

Paint.

No, seriously.

I put paint on my countertops.

This post will walk you through exactly how to completely change the look of your kitchen with painted faux-granite countertops. It's so affordable and so much simpler than it looks!

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience.

You’re probably rolling your eyes at me right now and calling me all sorts of stupid names. But, honestly, I knew there was zero way I could make them uglier than they were when we started (have you seen that before photo?) and if they looked ridiculous I could go with plan B, which was the concrete. So,  I dove in!

How to Paint Laminate Countertops

Materials:

Tutorial:

I started by priming the counters – it took two coats to cover up the faux wood grain, but I didn’t worry too much about covering it completely…the rest of the paint took care of that for me. Next up, I mixed my paint: I grabbed some black paint and mixed it with my primer to create a few different shades of gray.

I started with the darkest color and used a sea sponge to dab it all over. There’s no real method here, just throw it on there. Once I felt like I had an okay coverage, I came back over with the next darkest shade, and finally the lightest shade.

Then, I went back in and touched up any areas where I felt like more color was needed. It was pretty easy to see where there was too much or not enough of a certain color, and it is a very inexact science. Just do what feels good.

Then, came my favorite part…

Glitter.

I can feel your eyes rolling again.

No, really. I put glitter on the counters. I read a ton of tutorials from other people who had tried this out, and the ones I liked the best were the ones who added in a little glitter to make it look more like actual stone.

Now, do I think I’m fooling anyone with these counters?

Of course not.

BUT! Aren’t they prettier than the ugly faux wood laminate?

I mean, really. They’re way better.

I love this gold hardware! It's amazing what a simple little update can to do totally transform a room. And can you believe those countertops are painted?!

After the glitter, it was time to seal. I did a lot of research on the best strategy for this, and opinions are mixed. I talked with my dad, and he confirmed my gut instinct that polycrylic would be the way to go, so that’s what I did. There are other options that are probably more durable (like this stuff, which we almost used), but the process for applying them was way more intense than I was willing to endure for a project that may not even be long term – plus, applying something like that would make it much more difficult to go the concrete route later if we change our minds, and I wanted to leave our options open.

Now for the disclaimer: These aren’t necessarily the most durable counters in the world. I put on about a zillion coats of poly and let them dry for several days before we used them and they did a fantastic job holding up to every day use…until Thanksgiving. We had family in who wasn’t very careful at all with our counters (I don’t handle them too delicately, but I do keep in mind that they’re painted when I’m working on them), and by the time the holiday was over, there was one area that was looking a bit worse for the wear.

I was so bummed! I thought they’d last a little better than that! After talking it over with Corey, I think there are two factors that played into this. First, there were some small pieces of dirt and other randomness that got onto the counters before the poly was dry – that left perfect little spots where the stuff could pop out and leave a chip. Also, I think it’s possible I shot myself in the foot by adding too many coats of poly. You know how when you put on a really think application of nail polish hoping it will last longer but it actually chips right away? I think it’s like that. Just a theory. But, I wasn’t going to be deterred so I patched it up, added some more poly, and we’re living with it again. It took approximately 5 minutes to patch the areas that were messed up, so it really wasn’t a big deal.

It's so easy to paint your kitchen cabinets - and even your counters - to give them a quick update! But how do they hold up?! Here's a look at how our painted kitchen cabinets and counters are doing after living with them for a year.

It's so easy to paint your kitchen cabinets - and even your counters - to give them a quick update! But how do they hold up?! Here's a look at how our painted kitchen cabinets and counters are doing after living with them for a year.

Thanksgiving is kind of an anomaly when it comes to how much our kitchen gets used, so I’m going to give the counters another shot before I give up on them. If they chip again, we will try out the DIY concrete method. But, really, even if I have to patch them up once a year, I can’t complain! The whole thing cost us under $50 and makes me smile every day…so a little patch job every once in a while isn’t the end of the world. Just me?

Our to-do list in this room is still long, but we already have most of the materials to get started on the next project (beadboard backsplash!) so it’s really just a matter of finding the time and motivation to get it done.

Fingers crossed we get it done sooner rather than later!

Would you ever put paint on your counters?

Want more easy and affordable DIY ideas? Here are some posts you might love:

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Comments

  1. I am not sure I would ever do a painted, poly counter top, because kitchen counter tops take some much traffic. However, I have done 2 bathroom sinks for my parents spare bathrooms & they came out beautiful!! The trick is 1) finding the poly that will not yellow 2) being patient between coats to allow it to fully cure & harden. They were the basic 90’s bathroom sink & counter in one, with chips l, wear etc. I filled in the chips with a concrete gray filler, because concrete is VERY HARD & adheres well. Since I was doing faux marble I just did the grey veins over the chipped areas. I painted their existing cabinet a beautiful grey/blue & bought a new brushed nickel faucet & it looks GORGEOUS!!

    Reply

    • Haha, it was a mess! Basically, I just used my hands to sprinkle glitter on the edges just like I did the rest of it – we definitely had some glitter on the floor afterwards, but it wasn’t a huge deal to clean up.

      Reply

  3. A two-part epoxy will keep your counters safe and last a very, very, very, long time!! I would never paint my countertops without that stuff. Also, the shine makes them wayyyy more believable! You do have to follow the directions to a T as for the mixing and pouring of it…but it’s so worth it when you’re done…and your countertops really do resemble (or can even fake out a lot of people) granite.

    Reply

  4. I painted our cabinet tops. It lasted a year before it began peeling in the area of “wetness” in front of the sink. I am busy after right knee replacement surgery…. and after this is over — I’ll attack it again….. I will add GLITTER this time! I still love my job!

    Reply

  5. I have a question
    Have you ever covered countertops with brown paper like we do at times? Then waxed and sealed? I wonder if it would work.

    Reply

    • We’ve looked into some options like that – great tip, Kay! And we have definitely had to learn how to be more cautious with our counters now!

      Reply

  8. This is too funny to read! I just did the same on mine, and love it. I used that heavy Glass Looking stuff, and its too shiny…but whatcha gonna do. It was my idea, and it’s better than the old counter top. When I tackle the bathroom, I’ll stick to the 3 coats of Polyurethane.

    Reply

    • That was my key phrase with this project – it’s better than the old one! Haha, sometimes you just can’t make it look any worse than it already does. 😉

      Reply

  9. I also did something similar, using the Graniti kit. I covered up a gold glitter on white plastic Formica countertop from the mid 1960s. My colors were chocolate brown and tan on black. We used several coats of polyurethane to ensure durability. At first, my counters looked fabulous. As time goes on, however, the brown and tan paint is smearing when I wipe up spills. I am going to be forced to buy new countertops before long. My advice to anyone who is thinking of doing this is simple: DON’T.

    Reply

    • Oh man, I’m sorry you had such a bad experience, Lisa! We’ve had a few chips here and there but no smearing! This is definitely not something I would recommend for a long-term solution – I see it more as a quick fix for ugly counters until we can afford something a little nicer. 🙂

      Reply

  10. I just painted my countertops with the Gianni Granite kit and I LOVE them!!! Process was so easy with the faux! Took a kitchen with 3 different colored areas of countertops and now it looks like I got all new countertops!! Love it! An inexpensive fix for whole kitchen update!:-)

    Reply

  12. Amanda, what type of paint did you use to paint the cabinets and the countertops. Your kitchen is beautiful, I am going to paint my cabinets and wanted to do something with the counter top, your process is much easier than the kits I had read about, I would really appreciate it if you could tell me the products you used. thank YOU!

    Reply

    • Thanks! We used Lowe’s Valspar line for both the cabinets and the counters. We used Zinnser primer for both as well – it’s the only primer I’ll use. 🙂

      Reply

    • Amanda, You did a Fab job! And I just Loved your wordage! Just Great! Wow, I just now remembered how ( when I was somewhere in my late 20s, & married 2 the spouse from Hell), how I did a faux countertop, but it was w/some kind of marble-look paper product on a roll,lol! It came out really nice( I was shocked, actually), & it made it so much better on the eyes…. Keep up the great work & don’t forget to post your next project pics! Thanks! Have a safe & Happy 4th of July!

      Reply

      • Thanks! I’ve seen some awesome projects with faux stone contact paper – they make a great marble one! 🙂

        Reply

    • Simply said…painting does not hold up, I did the faux granite kit, paid $100 for it, yes it looked great for a few months and I was fully aware not to cut, sit hot items…blah blah…..it pits and knicks up…..it doesn’t withstand the use of a counter top. I ended up actually finding a black marble swirl floor tile at Home Depot…paid only $20 for enough to cover my whole countertop, self stick ,……it holds! and I ordered a 1/4″ thick piece of glass custom cut to fit over the ‘work’ area…..this looks great and it’s never been an issue with holding up.

      Reply

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