want to rejuvenate kitchen bench tops.

[lympa]

What can I do to revamp  kitchen bench tops without replacing them? I want to cover the top and the wood sides.  What could I do?

 

 

[Dave-1]

Afternoon @lympa 

A warm welcome to the community I am sure you wil get some ideas floating through peoples projects in here. 

There are a whole bunch of Timber benchtops that are available. My preference is actually Think Timber 32mm Custom Made Benchtop - Sapele tho its on a "wishlist" due to the price These are pretty thick at 32mm so would raise your bench if sat directly on top. You could remove the top and replace size for size potentially.

Sticking with the revamp but not replace.

Do you know what type of material you prefer?

There are these SpecRite 2200 x 600 x 26mm Multi-Use Merbau Panel that are a little thinner. I did see pine table tops as well. Depends on the length of your benchtop.

Something to consider if you add to the height the existing taps, and handles may not fit. Depending on the material.

Any chance of a little further away photo to help with suggestions of recoveringthe sides? Are you also thinking of the doors?

Tagging in @Noyade , @Nailbag and @Jewelleryrescue as they may have some ideas

Dave

[Nailbag]

Hi @lympa 

@Dave-1 has already provided some excellent advice and things to consider. The main one being that it's not a simply matter of just adding material to the top. You simply can't drop thin or thick material over the top as this will affect anything thats already built like the sink, taps and hot plates. These will need to be removed first and then depending on their fitment you may or may not be able to use a more modern laminate. And installing that isn't straight forward either. But there are companies that will refresh the top with this type of product.

Otherwise, remove the current fixtures and then use the old benchtop as a template for a new one. But removing the old benchtop may impact any backsplash tiles etc. 

A few wide angle photos will help with more specific advice.

Nailbag

[Jewelleryrescue]

Hi @lympa 

Putting in a completely new bench top is the best long-term solution as mentioned the processes involved with that  by @Dave-1  and  @Nailbag 

But The complete make over is a daunting task and could be into the thousands of dollars and not simple DIY task.

So the best and easiest and most cost-effective way to spruce up a bench top is to us contact adhesive plastic many many choices available and will also cover the curved bench edge. With contact adhesive keep a spare roll handy and any later bench top damage just recover in contact paper  directly in 5 mins and your good to go.  As a bonus It will need the use of chopping boards over it as it will be easy to damage the surface of the material.  You can also further cover the new look bench with thin sheets of clear Perspex  3mm thick or equivalent in high wear sections to extend your wear and tear life span like a large rectangle bench sections no need to cut it out around sinks.

There are also white versions of the same 3mm material where you won't need contact adhesive but will look better it you cut it out around the sink spaces etc. Scratched can be polished out with Brasso metal cleaner as it has a soft abrasive.

The ridged sheets of 3 mm plastics wont fold over your curved bench edge.   I personally might try to use a hot air gun and soften the plastics (Past experiments worked somewhat but not perfectly) and Mold it over the bench edge as an experiment, but this could go horribly wrong so don't try this at home

There are more Wall art bathroom wet wall panels 3mm thick that are more expensive but should be a little more scratch resistant.

To do the cut outs around the existing sink needs some skills with wood working tools.

Some thoughts if you are on a budget.

[EricL]

Hello @lympa 

It's fantastic that you've received excellent advice from @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @Jewelleryrescue! Just to add one more option, I suggest looking at painting your benchtop with Dulux Renovation Range. It is a water-based interior coating that transforms and rejuvenates laminate benchtops, and ceramic and glass tiles. It is easy to apply and provides a beautiful, durable, scratch, chip and scuff-resistant finish that you can achieve yourself.

Here is a link to ideas and inspiration: 20 kitchens transformed with paint.

If you have any other questions we can help with. please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Great suggestion @EricL I've not seen that product before. I'll keep that in mind in future.

Nailbag

[lympa]

 

 

 

[lympa]

Thank you very much for that advice.  I have included more photos below. I'm planning to paint cupboards and all wood you see in pics white and wanting a marble look benchtops.  I think I may just have to completely replace all benchtops. Just on a tight budget and marble is out of the question!

[MitchellMc]

Hi @lympa,

If you're looking for a temporary solution, you could try Boyle 45cm x 1.5m White Marble Self Adhesive Film. It won't be an incredibly durable surface, but I've seen people use it to get a marble effect on items. However, in the long run, you'd be better off looking to budget towards a marble effect benchtop, which is quite budget-friendly.

Mitchell

[Dave-1]

Morning @lympa 

White would look good with those door insets and instead of marble I have seen some Laminate Benchtops and in particular Kaboodle 2400 x 900 x 38mm Santolina Benchtop.

Just have a chat with the special orders desk, bring the measurements and an overall photo to make it easier for them and they will be able to help you for sure.

Dave