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DIY Countertop Makeover from Laminate to Butcher Block for Less

This DIY Countertop Makeover from Laminate to Butcher Block post is brought to you through a partnership with Giani. Although I received products to facilitate this post, all opinions are my own. 

I have always wanted butcher block countertops but I never really thought it would happen until we moved or until the countertops were so old and worn out I would be forced to replace them.

Then I found out about the Giani Butcher Block Countertop Paint Kit and realized that I could turn my existing laminate countertops into butcher block at a fraction of the cost.

If I would have known that all I had to do was spend one weekend with my kitchen out of order while my husband and I got to work transforming our boring laminate into an eye-catching butcher block, I would have done this a long time ago!

When we moved to Iowa and bought this house, the thing that I loved the most about it was the kitchen. I loved it so much that I couldn’t complain.

I  had just sold my previous home with a galley-style kitchen that was so small we had to put our table in the living room for eating because it just wouldn’t fit in the small space.

Needless to say, this kitchen was an upgrade and had more to offer than I felt like I even deserved so I was thrilled to take it as is, after all, it was like I was getting the kitchen of my dreams.

So you can see why I settled for the laminate countertops that were just a few shades off a color that I would have chosen for this kitchen for so long.

I loved it, it was still the nicest kitchen I have ever had but I always thought it would be nice to update the countertops.

So when I received the Giani Butcher Block Kit, we got started preparing the kitchen for the transformation.

That included making plans to eat out for a couple of nights which sounds kind of fun but once you are forced to do it for a few days, it lost its allure.

I was happy to know that the next time I was able to cook, it would be in a kitchen with butcher block countertops which was totally worth the inconvenience to me.

So after clearing all of my countertops and storing my kitchen items in the living room for a few days, I got started taping.

The kit came with all of the items you would need to do 35 square feet of countertops, including tape.

I did overdo it on tape at times and needed to run to the hardware store to pick up another roll but now I have some extra tape for all of the DIY projects I will be doing in the future so it worked out perfectly.

Once everything was taped, I was able to start with step number one, the wood base primer.

I felt like I had lost my mind at this point because as much as I wanted butcher block countertops, I wasn’t really prepared for the idea that I may hate the outcome and now there was no going back.

I am always so nervous about things like this though. I second guess my decorating decisions every time I do something drastic. Luckily I haven’t had too many blunders in the past so I should learn to trust myself a little more.

Waiting for things to dry in between steps was by far the most time-consuming thing in this project, the actual work didn’t really take that long and at times it went by really fast when trying to work before the paint dried.

It was kind of funny to see green stripes on the counter in-between steps and I was so excited when it was time to pull it off after the last step to reveal my new butcher block countertops.

I loved the way they turned out and I would recommend this kit to anyone wanting to update the look of their kitchen without breaking the bank.

The final look is exactly what I was hoping for and maybe even better because my husband even loves it.

I’m not sure if it’s because he put his blood sweat and tears into the project or if it is because he likes the look of the wood but either way, the whole family loves this transformation. Are you bored with your laminate countertops and want to upgrade to Butcher Block without spending the money? Try this DIY Butcher Block method for less!

UPDATE

It has been about a year and a half since we have done this project. I wanted to give an update on how these countertops have held up after constant use.

Keep in mind that when we first did this countertop makeover, we were left with quite a bit of topcoat. It was going on pretty thick at first but we applied a thin layer in most areas after, due to the mixture drying a little rough.

If you are planning on using this kit to do your countertops I would highly recommend applying the topcoat as heavily as possible.

Below you will see a photo from where I do most of my prep work in the kitchen, I took this photo today.

As you can see, there are some marks on the countertop.

As I mentioned, this area was one of the areas where we applied a thin topcoat.

The reason we only applied a thin layer was that the topcoat started to bubble up when applying. At the time, we were more concerned with a smooth finish although looking back, I wish we had applied the layer as thick as possible.

While you can definitely notice some marks on the countertops in these areas, overall I am still happy with my butcher block countertops. I plan on pulling out the leftover materials and going over the spots that have not held up as well.

When working with wood butcher block countertops you will also have some marks from constant use, so I feel like these imperfections make the finished product look even more realistic. Although I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my kitchen so I am glad to have leftover materials to reapply in the areas where the product or my technique has fallen short.

I hope this update has helped answer the question about how my butcher block countertops have held up over the past year and a half. Have you tried a DIY butcher block countertop in your kitchen? I would love to hear about what has worked and what hasn’t.

Please leave a comment below letting me know your thoughts and don’t forget to follow along on social media as well as sign up for the free newsletter so that you never miss a post.

About Thirty Something Super Mom

Melissa Dixon Thirty Something Super Mom
Thirty Something Super Mom | Website

My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.

Melva casanova

Sunday 2nd of October 2022

I love what you did , this is what I want in my kitchen . In the areas where you prep the most you could use a piece of clear hard plastic as your chopping board and still see you new counter even when not in use .

Melissa

Wednesday 5th of October 2022

that is such a cool idea! thanks for stopping by!

Linda

Tuesday 30th of August 2022

Where can I purchase a butcher block paint kit from I live in Canada

Melissa

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by and commenting. I have looked into this and it appears that the product reviewed here is currently unavailable. I will be sure to update this post when it is made available again.

Teresa West

Thursday 28th of April 2022

What did you use to make your strips and was hard make A straight line.

Melissa

Sunday 1st of May 2022

Hi Teresa, I used painter's tape to make the lines along with good measuring. It was actually much easier than I thought it would be. The lines came out perfectly! Thanks for stopping by!

Chandler

Sunday 28th of February 2021

I love this idea! Especially with the cost of wood being so high now this is a great alternative. Can you tell me how these have held up?

Melissa

Tuesday 2nd of March 2021

Hi Chandler, thanks for stopping by. I agree that this a way cheaper option than traditional butcher block countertops. As far as holding up well over the years, overall this product has exceeded my expectations although there were areas that have taken some damage over time. I would suggest to anyone that is planning on using this to update their countertops, to heavily apply the protectant. In the areas the high traffic areas we only put a thin layer, we have some damage but I still love my countertops. I have thought about using the leftover that I saved to reapply in this area and then heavily add epoxy to protect it. Thanks for the comment, I am going to update this post now. I appreciate the reminder to do so.

Fatima Torres

Sunday 25th of August 2019

oh wow, you wouldn't even believe this DIY was a laminate countertop turned butcher block. I've always loved this style, but it might be a bit much for our kitchen.