Laminate countertops have maintained their popularity since the mid-1970s.
You can install laminate countertops in your kitchen or bathroom for a relatively low price.
However, after a while, you may realize that they do not look as good as you hoped for (or worse you’ve damaged your countertop)
Instead of taking them out completely, you can make some improvements to them (this post assumes you have traditional laminate countertop and may not apply to peel and stick countertop)
Below is a guide on how to do this;
How to make laminate countertop shine
The best way to make your laminate countertop shine is to clean it regularly.
Constant cleaning keeps stains and abrasive dirt from forming on the countertop and damaging it.
Below is a guide on how to clean your laminate countertop;
• Place an antibacterial surface cleaner on a soft microfiber cloth
• Gently rub the surface in a circular motion
• If there are stains, make a paste of baking powder and water
• Buff it onto the counter
• Remove it with a damp cloth
• Let it dry
Doing this should give you a nice shine.
How to make laminate countertop shine like granite
Granite is one of the shiniest countertop materials in existence.
You can make your laminate countertop as shiny as granite by deep cleaning it and using laminate polish.
Below are steps through which you can do this;
• Dilute a bleach solution with water
• Rub the mixture on the countertop using a cotton cloth
• Let it sit for a while
• Wipe it off using a damp cloth
• Make sure you use gloves for the entire process
• The next thing is to spray furniture polish on the surface
• Use a duster to rub it in with circular motion
• Make sure you check the ingredients of the furniture polish to make sure you do not use products with high silicone content on your laminate surface
How to make laminate countertop look glossy
You can make your laminate countertop look effortlessly glossy by following the following steps;
• Start by cleaning it with rubbing alcohol
• You can also use baking powder paste
• Wipe it off with a damp piece of cloth
• Let the countertop dry
• Use car wax to polish it and give it a glossy finish
• Rub it in a circular motion
• Let it sit for around ten minutes
• Use a clean cloth to buff the rest of the wax off
How to make laminate countertop look like wood
Wood countertops are very trendy and attractive.
If you are looking to achieve a wooden look, you can follow the steps below to transform your laminate countertop and make it look like wood;
• Start by thoroughly sanding the laminate kitchen countertops
• Apply two coats of stainable primer
• Use a wood graining tool to make the wood grain patterns
• Apply two coats of stain
• Apply sealing material in three coats
• You can use polyethylene
This should give your laminate countertop a wood appearance.
How to make laminate countertop look like stone
Replacing your laminate countertop with stone can be very costly. However, this does not mean that you have to give up on your dream stone countertop.
You can quickly and affordably transform your laminate countertop to look like stone following the steps below;
• Use a degreaser to clean your countertop and remove kitchen build-up
• Use painter’s tape to cover the sinks, cabinets, and back wall
• Apply two coats of a bonding primer and make sure you shake it to avoid bubbling
• Roll the countertop with a velour roller to help create a smooth finish and bubbling
• Pounce a thin layer of black paint over the countertop and allow it to dry
• Sponge on a sporadic layer of white chalk and gray paint and blend them in properly
• Add a sporadic layer of black chalk
• Roll a thin layer of polyurethane on the entire surface
• Let it dry for 12 hours, then remove the painter’s tape
How to make laminate countertop look like concrete
Laminate countertops are very attractive. However, they are slowly becoming less popular than they were.
This does not mean that you have to remove them and spend a lot of money replacing them.
You can make your laminate countertop look like concrete using the following steps;
• Use rags and warm soapy water to clean the countertop
• Dry it
• Sand the laminate countertop to create a rough surface
• Apply painters tape around the walls and sink or remove the sink
• Mix your concrete
• Spread it onto the countertop using a drywall knife, trowel, or putty knife
• Allow the concrete to dry for 24 hours
• Use sandpaper to sand down parts of the concrete that are sticking out
• Apply a second layer of concrete, let it dry, and sand it down again
• Do the same with a third layer
• Seal the concrete with a paintbrush as soon as you have sanded the third layer
How to make laminate countertop look like marble
Marble is one of the best types of countertop materials in the market. However, it is pretty expensive.
This doesn’t have to be a problem. Below is a guide on how to transform your laminate countertop to look like marble;
• Use a degreaser to clean your countertop and remove kitchen build-up
• Use painter’s tape to cover the sinks, cabinets, and back wall
• Apply two coats of a bonding primer and make sure you shake it to avoid bubbling
• Roll the countertop with a velour roller to help create a smooth finish and bubbling
• Pounce a thin layer of black paint over the countertop and allow it to dry
• Sponge on a sporadic layer of white chalk and gray paint and blend them in properly
• Add a sporadic layer of black chalk
• Dip your paintbrush in gray chalk paint
• Freehand lines in a swirl pattern to mimic marbling
• Twist and turn the brush using different amounts of pressure
• Roll a thin layer of polyurethane on the entire surface
• Let it dry for 12 hours, then remove the painter’s tape
So, Will That Make Your Laminate Countertop Look Better?
Laminate countertops are incredible. However, they are slowly becoming less popular.
Therefore, you may want to use the tips mentioned above to transform your laminate countertops into the most popular types like marble, concrete, and stone.
You can also give your laminate countertops a glossy and shiny finish by cleaning and waxing them properly.