If you’re looking to replace your counters but you’re on a budget, cheap countertops are a necessity. When you replace your counters, you’ll increase your home’s value by far
more than you actually spend, especially if you choose the right material.
Here are some of your options.
For very cheap countertops, laminate countertops are the least expensive option. You can get these discount countertops for around $10 per linear foot.
Laminate is pretty easy to clean, and it comes in virtually every color imaginable, which helps if you have a unique color scheme in your kitchen that you need to match. Laminate is water-resistant, but I would not recommend laminate counters for bathrooms.
Tile countertops look classic and are easy to clean, but one con is that the grout can get quite dirty if you don’t keep up with that. They’re a little pricier than laminate, at least $35 per linear foot, but I’d say the cost is worth it.
It looks classier than laminate, and you can be creative with patterns. Plus, compared to the other countertop options outlined below, tile countertops would still qualify as cheap countertops. I like tile because it’s so versatile. With all the varying approaches, it can look modern or classic; rustic or urban. When it comes to cheap bathroom countertops, I definitely like tile better than laminate for a unique look.
Wood is next on the cheap countertops spectrum. Wood countertops look natural, and can be refinished to suit your individual tastes. They start at about $50 in the retail store, which I’d say makes them cheap countertops when compared to concrete (discussed below — they can be up to $300 per linear foot!).
But if you’re looking for very cheap wood countertops, I would suggest researching a do-it-yourself approach; this would be a fun project, more earth-friendly than using trees farmed for cheap countertops. And imagine the satisfaction of knowing you made those counters, every time you walk into that kitchen!
Granite is my personal favorite for cheap countertops, starting at $60 per linear foot. However, you can find cheap granite countertops at discount, warehouse, or home improvement stores, especially if you find a discontinued line or a lot that is slightly imperfect. Granite is beautiful, naturally occurring, and very durable.
Concrete countertops are interesting and unique, but can be expensive at $200 to $300 per linear foot. The pro is that they’re heavy and obviously last longer than any other type of countertop. The installation is costly, too.
I like recycled concrete, which is even pricier than “new” concrete counters. However, these look interesting (it’s hard to find any two that look exactly alike) and have the added value of knowing your purchase didn’t do any new damage to Mother Earth.
Corian is another option for countertops. It’s a brand made by DuPont, who also manufactures quality flooring materials. DuPont’s Corian brand is moderate in cost ($100 per linear foot) but low-maintenance. You can find cheap Corian countertops at a discount warehouse store, for less than retail prices.