How to update a kitchen countertop

The headset is still sturdy, and the tabletop looks kind of shabby. Many have faced such a situation. So can the furniture be “updated”? Still, buying a new one is an expensive business, and what's the point of changing what else can serve. The way out of the situation is simple: you need to find how to paste over the countertop in the kitchen in order to return it to its original gloss. Let's talk about the most popular options.

Features and varieties of countertops

Since the countertop is a work surface, it is subject to significant mechanical stress. Therefore, durable materials are used for manufacturing. It can be laminated pressed shavings (MDF), natural wood, ceramics, artificial or natural stone.

The most reliable and durable ones are made of stone. This surface does not wear out over the years. But such countertops are also expensive, so they are rarely found in apartments. Other materials are usually coated with acrylics or laminates.

How to upgrade your kitchen countertop

To give the surface its original appearance, it can be painted with safe acrylic paint, tiled or sanded with the top layer and varnished. In extreme cases, replacing the countertop and apron in the kitchen and installing it in its original place.

Surface preparation

First of all, you need to wash the surface well. A household cleaner and a regular sponge will work. Wipe the clean countertop dry and then degrease it with alcohol. If there are chips, large scratches, they must be repaired with a repair putty, and then leveled with fine-grained sandpaper.

Selection of tools and materials

Of the tools you may need:

• fine-grained sandpaper;
• acrylic paint;
• varnish;
• napkins;
• water;
• glue;
• brushes;
• stencil;
• vinyl film;
• tile;
• tile adhesive;
• grout;
• rubber or flat spatula;
• durable glass;
• patterns patterns.

Important! During work, be sure to use protective equipment: gloves and goggles.

Update process

The easiest way to update a surface is to cover it with plastic. Its service life is 3-4 years. One side of the film is fixed, and the other is stretched towards the edge of the table. To prevent air bubbles from forming, you need to smooth out the film with a rubber spatula.

Other finishes will require more creativity. The prepared surface is coated with a primer for better adhesion of materials, painted and decorated.

Color change

Acrylic water-based paints are suitable for work. They are quite elastic, stable, and most importantly - absolutely safe. You can use a roller or wide brush to apply the base color.

The tone does not have to be uniform. The patterns applied with a sponge soaked in paint will look original. However, this procedure is done when applying the second or third layer. For the first, you need to use an even base shade.

The painted surface is dried, then covered with a second layer of paint. After that, you can fix the tempered glass or apply an original pattern.

Decorating with tiles or mosaics

How can you change the countertop on a kitchen set without changing it? For this, one of the most difficult methods is suitable - laying out tiles or mosaics. It will take time, but the result looks extremely impressive. Plus, tiles and mosaics have an enviable lifespan.

You will need tiles or mosaics, glue, a flat trowel and grout.

The glue is applied to a cleaned and degreased surface. Cover the countertop with an even layer, but not all, but in the area where the layout is supposed to be. It is not worth applying glue in advance, as it will dry out.

It is best to combine large and small fragments. This way you can create a unique pattern. After the tiles are laid out and dry, grout is applied to the joints and leveled with a flat trowel.

The most expensive way to repair a countertop is the third - using tempered glass. But the result looks correspondingly - expensive. The set of actions is standard: cleaning, degreasing the surface, coating with paint, after drying - laying, fixing the glass sheet.

Using decoupage technique

An inexpensive and very original way to restore a countertop. You can use ready-made napkins for decoupage, or you can be creative: cut out fragments from magazines, newspapers.

The countertop decorated with fragments of old and artificially aged newspapers will look original. If you make a black and white apron for it, the design will take on a finished, finished look.

Decoupage is performed in several stages:

• prepare the surface (wash, degrease)
• Dilute PVA with water in a 1: 1 ratio, moisten napkins or newspaper clippings with the composition;
• glue a selection of drawings to the surface, smooth it out, expelling all air bubbles;
• wait until it dries completely;
• varnish in 2-3 layers.

Instead of varnish, the tabletop can be covered with a sheet of tempered glass or triplex.

Stencil painting

For those who do not have artistic skills, this option is suitable. To create interesting patterns, all you need to do is find beautiful stencils. You can find pictures on the Internet, transfer them to thick cardboard or film .. The stencil is attached to the surface cleaned and painted with the main color and the bare areas are filled with color. It is better to remove the stencil after the paint is completely dry.

In work, you can use rollers, brushes and sponges.

Renovation of natural countertops

If the work surface is made of natural materials, it just needs to be slightly “freshened up”. It can be good enough to polish a wooden lacquered tabletop with a special paste and a drill attachment. A radical approach may be required:

• sand the surface, remove the old coating;
• level wood, cover chips and cracks with wood putty;
• walk with fine-grained sandpaper;
• varnish in several layers;
• polish the coating.

If the countertop is made of untreated solid wood, it is sufficient to sand and stain it.

Restoring natural or artificial stone will require some skill. For the surface to acquire a shine and gloss, it is enough to polish it.

The casting stone should be polished as carefully as possible, since it is applied to the surface in thin layers and will withstand no more than 2-3 grinding.

You will need:

• grinder;
• polishing machine;
• polishing paste.

You can use a universal device with different attachments for polishing (abrasive up to P1500) and grinding (abrasive P120).

Action plan:

• sand the surface, constantly moistening it with water to reduce the temperature;
• when the irregularities are eliminated, use the polishing attachments, gradually changing them to smaller ones.

Important! The tips should be regularly moistened to avoid dry friction. In addition, less dust will fall from them.

How to replace a countertop in the kitchen

The most radical way is to completely change the work surface. When is it needed:

• irreversible changes (the board is dry or cracked);
• the tabletop does not hold firmly;
• there is an opportunity / desire to install a more expensive and high quality option.

How to replace a countertop on a kitchen set:

• dismantle the countertop;
• remove old sealant and glue from the frame;
• check the stability of the headset, tighten if necessary;
• if necessary, mount the hob, mixer and sink, having previously made cuts for them;
• fix the countertop with glue and sealant.

During work, it is important to monitor the preservation of the geometry of the structure. This process is laborious, requires special skills and tools, so it is better to entrust the installation to professionals.

Video: kitchen countertop restoration

Photo 50 design options for kitchen countertops