DIY Painted Laminate Countertop

This is what the kitchen looked like when we bought the house. It was built in the 60's and we purchased it from the original owner. It was a time warp. The kitchen is a decent size thanks to the adjacent breakfast area, but the row of cabinets above the range blocked the view between the two spaces.

With an unlimited budget, I would gut the whole thing and start over with a new layout. One that included a large center island. But I don't have an unlimited budget, so I am working with the existing cabinets. For now at least. To open up the space, I removed the vent hood and upper cabinets above the range. I plan to replace the old electric stove top with a gas range. When that happens I will also have a downdraft vent installed.

It is so nice not to have to bend over to look under the cabinets when the kids are at the kitchen table and it makes the space so much more functional for when we entertain. Everyone loves to congregate in the kitchen!

As you can see in the picture above, the corner cabinet extended just far enough past the wall to look out of place once the others were removed. Unfortunately, it also extended into the corner leaving an odd nook once it was gone. 

 I decided to install open shelves here with some inexpensive wood brackets I found at Lowe's. I painted them along with the shelves the same as the wall color (BM Elephant Tusk). I have enjoyed having my everyday plates and bowls in easy reach. 

I also painted the upper cabinets the same color as the wall and the base cabinets are painted BM Ashley Gray. I plan to install stone countertops (and new appliances) in the future, but it is not in the budget at the moment. I was so tired of looking at the bad 60's faux granite laminate that I decided to paint it as well. It was so ugly I figured that even if the paint job looked awful it would be better than before!

I rolled on two coats of Zinsser BIN Primer and was amazed at how much better the room looked already!

I then painted two coats of BM Midnight and sealed it with two coats of polyurethane. I have been pleased with how it has held up. No scratches yet!

I even had a little help with the edges...

I also installed all new brass hardware which helped the space feel updated. The knobs and pulls are by Martha Stewart for Home Depot.

Nothing like a good before & after!

It is amazing what a coat of paint (or two) can do!