So a couple weeks ago I got an estimate from a company that would refinish our laminate countertops. Which then led me to taking some initial measurements and standing at this display in Home Depot. 
And about 2 weeks later my kitchen looked like this…
Funny how that happens!? 
So apparently my kitchen makeover is FINALLY happening and I am still a bit in shock but so excited. I will be walking you through the whole process hopefully with one post each week for the next several weeks until it is finished.
So let’s start from the beginning. Here’s the now “before” picture of my kitchen. When we walked in our house with the realtor over 11 years ago I hated the countertops from the second I saw them. The worst part was the wood edge all the way around and on the top of the small backsplash section. But kitchen remodels are expensive and the countertops were functional so it was always last on the list.
I have been planning on repainting the cabinets (they desperately need sanded down and a fresh coat of white paint) and replacing the handles but honestly procrastinated on that. For one because that was going to be a lot of work and I wouldn’t see the pretty “after” I was wanting with those countertops still in place. I measured a few years ago and priced out all the options of replacing them from new laminate, solid surface, even granite tiles but it just wasn’t in the budget. I also debated about using one of the DIY countertop painting methods but worried because we knew we would eventually want to sell and I didn’t think that would make a good impression for resale value.
So when I got the quote for refinishing them and it was almost $1500, I headed to Home Depot to see how much new countertops would cost.
And I planned on replacing them with laminate countertops and here’s why: we just don’t live in a granite-worthy house. Sure, I could spend several thousand dollars putting in granite countertops, all stainless steel appliances, upscale fixtures, etc. But it would look out of place in our home and in our neighborhood and we would just never see the value come back on resale. So a functional, somewhat upgraded kitchen, done on a small budget will definitely appeal to buyers, fit in our home, and make me extremely happy!
Our kitchen counters measured 56 square feet (I used this site to help me calculate the square footage). So you can see if I picked a laminate color in group A and had them installed it would cost $1008. Well, that is much better than the $1500 quote I got!
I ended up loving the color in the middle of the picture. It is Wilsonart Typhoon Ice and in Quarry Finish with Aeon (4952k-52). The back of the sample describes it as “large scale granite in creamy white with black, cool white, and gray accents.” Perfect for my kitchen as I am leaving the cabinets white and also need to leave the tan tile on the floor but my walls are more of a gray/greige color.
Home Depot also has a section of laminate sheets that you can install yourself if you are building countertops yourself but that was a bit over my abilities.
I loved getting to see that color in a huge sheet so I really could see the colors and design – I decided on this color very quickly.
Wilsonart Typhoon Ice was in color group B which was $22 sq. feet and would make it $1232 to get it installed. But then I noticed that to just get it delivered and to install ourselves would save us HALF off that price at only $11 sq. feet making it only $616. So I went home and started googling and got on Pinterest and researched installing your own laminate countertops.
My brother had done some laminate counter installs and assured me that it was very doable. So that was it – we were going to DIY our own countertop install!
This all happened right around Memorial Day weekend and Home Depot just happened to be having a sale of 10% off custom or installed countertops. Since I would be getting mine made custom made they counted. I went home and my husband and I took very detailed measurements of every angle of my kitchen (nerve-wracking!) on graph paper. And then I met with a Home Depot kitchen designer and placed my order. I elected to go with a basic waterfall edge which was no extra charge. And I also wanted no backsplash portion on the countertops so that I could install my own. So no additional charges other than the $11 sq. feet.
My countertops were delivered to my house (included in the cost) about 10 days later and we installed 1/2 of the kitchen that night (I was just a BIT excited.)
Here’s a sneak peek of me holding up the new ones on top of the old ones.
And the final cost? $616 – $61.60 (10% off) – $27.72 (5% off for opening and putting it on a Home Depot credit card) = $563.55. Absolutely unbelievable to me for new kitchen countertops!
Some of you may still be scratching your heard and wondering how this will look and what I am doing for a backsplash. In my next kitchen makeover post I am going to share some inspiration pictures, kitchens you would be surprised have laminate countertops in them, and what I plan on doing for the rest of my kitchen.
I would love to know what kind of countertops you have in your kitchen? Would you be brave enough to tackle installing your own countertops?
Christina I can’t wait to see this finished…we are planning on painting our cabinets and have been looking at that same countertop…we haven’t ordered it yet – so it will be great
to see how yours turns out!!
I cannot wait to see the final results!!
This is truly budget friendly.
Keep’m coming. I love your choice and I’m so happy you are finally getting your kitchen your way.
Patience is a virtue.
Can’t wait to see it! Nice choice–it looks beautiful!
We replaced our counter tops 3 years ago and stayed with laminate. I like how it looks and its easy to clean. Personally, I don’t care for granite and think it would be out of place in our modest house.
How exciting!!! Can not wait to see all you do it n your kitchen. 🙂
Happy Thursday…
Sherri
It’s going to be really beautiful when you get finished! Love the color. I have been living with our sort of purplish laminate for 15 years – chipped in some places, wearing thin, etc. The cabinets were flat euro builder grade that the renters before us pretty much destroyed and we STILL haven’t replaced them! I think I’m going to get some new doors and call it a day.
A friend of mine gave me her old Corian countertop recently. Her kitchen is twice the size of mine – so plenty of material for my tiny kitchen. You wouldn’t believe the prices I’m getting quoted for just refabricating them – not installing….$1100, $1500, $2500! I could have my entire kitchen done in granite for $1200, so it doesn’t make sense to spend that on reworking this Corian. At this point I’m praying and if I can’t get a decent price, dear hubby is going to have to learn how to do it! I’m excited to get these monsters replaced, but so disappointed I can’t seem to get a decent price. sigh.
It feels good to have a decent kitchen doesn’t it?! 🙂 Many blessings to you and yours, Jayne
You’re my kinda gal!!!
I love your common sense in that you realize that it’s just not worth installing an expensive material (graphite) in some cases and that it would look out of place. I bought an apartment which was in very bad condition and I have been renovating it for about 3 years now and quite often I’m opting for cheaper, but nice looking solutions which make sense and will not make me regret my choices once I decide to sell the place. Have a nice day!
Looks great- the laminate is definitely a step up from the wrap around wood look, and came at a great price!! Can’t wait to see the finished product!
My kitchen countertops look like that little brown and black swatch below the one you chose. I think you made a good choice to not paint your countertops. A little bit goes a long way, and that makeover made a big difference!
I have been dreaming of remodeling my kitchen for awhile now. I have been debating granite counter tops or laminate, and your tips on how to choose are very helpful. I can see how it would be useful to consider the bigger picture: how the counter tops will mesh with the overall feel of the house. I’m curious to how your kitchen turned out in the end!
Wow, I had no idea you could get laminate that looks like granite! It definitely looks like the real thing- for a fraction of the cost! It is definitely starting to look amazing!
This looks really good! It’s awesome you were able to install it yourself and get so many discounts. Thanks for sharing!
Its really a brilliant idea especially for those who can’t afford the real stone work. It just looks like the original one but costs almost less than half of its costs. Moreover it has great color choices too.
Thanks for helping me!
Thanks for the article Christina! The Home Depot edge helper is helpful. These are really good ideas.
What did you end up doing about the 4” lip/back splash?
That will look great in your kitchen! I had my cabinets painted white and I too have a tile floor sort of a cream color during the day and looks light tan at night. I’m thinking of going with Formica Typhoon Ice. You are wise in choosing a laminate to go with your house value. I couldn’t see putting a nice quartz or granite countertop on top of my older cabinets even though they look very nice painted.