Custom countertops on a shoestring budget? 4 tips for cheap kitchen renovations

If you’re hoping to install custom countertops in your kitchen but are concerned about the cost, don’t worry. There are many ways to achieve an attractive kitchen on a small budget. Here are some do-it-yourself ideas to make your kitchen the envy of the neighborhood:

fake zinc

Chalkboard paint looks really beautiful in the kitchen and is very easy to do. A new trend in kitchen designs is custom zinc countertops, but they can be a bit pricey. A less expensive alternative to zinc installation is to paint existing countertops with chalkboard paint. You can tackle this project yourself in just a few days. While not as durable as real zinc, chalkboard paint is still pretty tough. You will have to be careful how you place heavy objects or hot pots on them. If you notice a nick here or there, it’s very easy to repair by simply repainting that area.

stainless steel

Stainless steel is all the rage in many kitchens, so it’s no surprise that many homeowners are applying it to their custom countertops, too. You can hire a contractor to install the stainless steel, or you can do it yourself if you’re pretty handy. You can buy inexpensive sheet metal flashing and cut it to size. Then simply affix the metal with some liquid nails, allow it to dry completely, and you have a new addition to your stainless steel kitchen.

fake granite

If you really want to save money, consider painting your existing counters yourself. There are several ways to create a faux granite look. One way is to prime the caps with a good quality paint primer. Once it dries, paint the caps completely black. Then get some white, gray and black acrylic paint. Shake the paint on the surface until you achieve the look of granite stone. Once it has dried, apply several coats of polyurethane to fully set the paint. This process will take several days, but the result is very nice.

butcher block using flats

Another popular option in kitchens is the butcher block. However, butcher block can be expensive. You can achieve the same effect by using wood flooring planks that have not been stained. You can install the planks on top of your cabinets and then stain them with a very natural honey colored stain. This will provide you with a really lovely looking butcher kitchen for very little cost.

Creating a new kitchen with custom countertops doesn’t have to break the bank. Doing the job yourself using off-the-shelf techniques is a great way to create your dream kitchen on a budget.