Posted on April 29, 2022 by KylieMawdsley
LAMINATE (Formica) Kitchen Countertop Update Tip & Ideas
In between flooring, faucets, countertops and cabinets, kitchens offer so many ways to spend spend spend and add to that never-ending ‘honey-do’ list. And while updating your kitchen is a great way to add value to your home, it’s also an easy way to suck the living daylights out of your bank account (it’s a yin/yang thing).
So, today I want to talk to you about countertops and how to add value to your home, while not going too buck-wild (which I have been known to do occasionally).
Listed below are entry-level laminate countertops. To view luxury laminate countertops (that are still a HECK of a lot more affordable than quartz or granite), check out this blog post…The New Era of Laminate Countertops and Why They Rock
TIP #1 Not all laminate countertops are the same price
Many countertop suppliers have special groupings of countertops that are purchased in bulk and are then offered at a lower price. Locally, we have a grouping called The Top 66 with some gorgeous high-end laminate selections.
These aren’t the least expensive because they’re the least desirable. In fact, they’re some of the most popular countertops which means they can be bought in bulk and then sold to you the buyer at a fan-tiddly-astic price.
Here are a few of my faves…
MINERAL JET by Formica
Mineral Jet is a mix of black, brown and gray and is best in the Radiance finish. This AFFORDABLE laminate kitchen countertop looks fabulous with oak cabinets.
5 Ideas to Update Wood Cabinets Without a Drop of Paint
CALACATTA MARBLE by Formica
If you want a marble look without the price tag, check out Calcatta Marble by Formica (see more here).
PALOMA POLAR by Formica
Paloma Polar is essentially a soft white countertop with a gray fleck with a slight violet undertone (remember, EVERY gray has undertones) – it also has a fabulous sheen!
Not every company will call their bulk items ‘The Top 66’, but most companies should have a range of kitchen countertop products that are offered at a reduced price. Also, I generally avoid the big box stores when it comes to these products and try to find a local supplier (like BC’s Colonial Countertops) to avoid the whole ‘middle-man’ thing so I can flutter my eyelashes, wear a low-cut top and see how it goes (I do not encourage my male readers to do this…)
IDEA #2 The Countertop Profile Can Cost You Money…or not
The profile is the front edge of your countertop. And believe it or not, the profile you choose can make a HUGE difference to the overall look of your kitchen.
My fave countertop profile is the square wrap or double radius, shown below on Soapstone Sequoia…
- rounded is dated, don’t do it…says me
- don’t even consider doing your front profile in wood with your top in laminate as it costs more, wears easily and is soooo 1990s
- a bevel edge profile (standard or micro-bevel) is a classy look; however, keep in mind that it’s an extra cost per linear foot
- the square wrap or double radius is the most popular profile as it’s modern, but not too edgy and is included in the product pricing (aka – free)
TIP #3 Do you have 2 feet & a heartbeat? Well, then you can save some money!
Okay, so it’s not THAT easy as you will also need some time and a moderate amount of muscle. You will pay per linear ft for the countertop company to remove and dispose of your old countertop. This usually costs $7 per ft which means the average kitchen is $150 – $200 (and is included in the overall price, so you don’t know it’s hiding there). Just recently we removed our countertops and took them to the recycle depot. This took about 1 hr and 1/2 a bottle of wine – well worth it if you ask me!
Tip: take a blade and cut where your countertop meets your drywall as paint often binds the two together.
You can also save money by removing your own appliances and unhooking your plumbing (sans plumber butt). This can save you approx. $125+.
There are even more fun and fabulous ways to save money when updating your kitchen, but that’s it for now my friends!
READ MORE
How to Update Your Oak or Wood Cabinets – 4-PART SERIES
4 Ideas to Update your Kitchen on a Budget
3 Ways to Add Style to Your Small Bathroom
New Era of Laminate Countertops and Why They Rock
The Best White Paint Colours from Benjamin Moore
The Best Paint Colours for a Bathroom Vanity
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ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2015, UPDATED IN EARLY 2021
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Thank you for the help. My wife and I are going to remodel our kitchen soon and we would like to add new countertops. I love the mineral jet look that you shared. I think it looks so clean on top of white cabinets. I imagine the dark color is much easier to keep clean as well.
Yes, I loved the Mineral jet – in fact it was much easier to manage than our new Quartz which we can see EVERY SINGLE THING on – bah!
Glad it helped 🙂
~Kylie
Which I’d these would work best with a biscuit bathroom fixtures and grey tile floor? I was leaning towards wilsonart hd Bainbrook Grey… would a consultation be best?
Author
Oh Nikki, definitely. When it comes to almond/biscuit bathrooms that is usually the best bet, otherwise I’m just guessing on the exact fixture colour/undertones of the gray tile/etc… It is affordable and fun! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Love your ideas but every kitchen shown had a wood floor. We have light colored oak cabinets that look new and a tile floor. Very nice, 18″ tile which poses a pcountertop issue due to a muted pattern in the tile. I wish I could post a photo. Anyway, thanks for all of the information and ideas.
Author
Hi Tom! The key will be to find a colour in your tile floor that you can repeat on the countertop in a more solid form – so no busy pattern/veining. If your tile has a range of depths, this can look nice if you hone in on the ‘medium’ depth, but going lighter works too. Just make sure your countertop colour really does MATCH what’s in the floor, that’s how you’ll create a purposeful palette :).