Update: To see the finished countertops click here.
When we first started planning our kitchen remodel, we did it sitting at this table:
The space was so full of walls, cabinets, stuff–that it made it hard for our big family to function day to day. We studied the original blueprints, looking for support walls. Then planned the removal of everything we could to open up the space. We picked out cabinets and dreamed of granite countertops.
After unexpected foundation issues wiped out or cash reserves, we wondered what to do about finishing the space. It was definitely time to think outside the box, since granite wouldn’t be a possibility for several years. We talked about lowering our expectations and buying formica laminated countertops, but the big box stores were surprisingly proud of these options. The prices still weren’t affordable.
Then we looked at plywood. First we looked at the $25 a sheet stuff. Not bad. Paintable, but not stainable. Right next to it was gorgeous oak plywood. It was double the cost, but we only needed 2 sheets (Since we could rip one sheet in half for 16 feet of counter.) Still affordable and this option would be stainable. If we grabbed some trim for the edge it would look more finished.
We briefly considered buying oak 1×6 boards and fastening them together to make homemade butcher block.It would be prettier, have finished edges, and be possible to use an undermount sink. The extra steps and skill level required scared us. We are on a deadline now and weren’t confident we could finish that in time. The city has determined if we aren’t done by the end of the month, they will charge us a permit renewal fee. This is dragging out so long because we ran out of money….charging us a fee would really help with that, thanks. Government makes soooo much sense some times.
I settled on an overmount sink, which will be a little more water friendly with the wood. I prefer undermount sinks with a passion, but Darren reminded me when we buy the granite in a few years, they’ll throw in an undermount for free. We bought 4 of the oak 1×6 boards to use as a backsplash. Since the ripped plywood would only be 2 feet wide (traditional counters are 26 inches wide, we used the backsplash and trim to make up the difference in the length.) We also researched a sealer that would dry to a non-toxic finish (food safe) and make these countertops sturdy enough for a family of six–enter Waterlox Marine Sealer.
Next, I needed to decide on a color. I wanted to let the wood grain show through whatever we did so that the wood looked intentional. I already have a lot of contrast built into the room with the light upper cabinets and dark lower ones. The floor is a shade variation of the lower cabinets and doors in the room. That’s plenty of that color in the space. I wanted something different without adding so much color we look like a circus.
I loved the color of gray on the folding tables we are using for our temporary countertops. Maybe something similar would be the thing? I grabbed a can of weathered gray stain and did a test board from the piece cut out for the sink hole.
It looked like dirty wood. The board to the right is the untreated oak. The lower piece on the left, is the weathered gray stain, one coat. I really wanted something more gray. So I headed back to the store and grabbed a $3 sample pot of Olympic Dover Gray. I added water until it was half water/half paint and used it like a wood stain. That’s the sample to the back on the left. Perfect!
This week, we plan to finish cutting the plywood to fit, then install it with the trim and backsplash. With the goal to have it ready to stain and seal on Saturday. We will stain and seal it in place after taping off the wall and lower cabinets. We’re hoping the weather is good enough for open windows, since we expect it to smell pretty bad.
Here are some of the inspiration pins I used to convince myself wood countertops would be ok. Click the picture to go to the source:
Angela,
I think what you are doing is wonderful! You and your family are an inspiration in today’s crazy commercialized world, that people can live sensibly.
Keep your chin up and keep going.
You are awesome! 🙂
I started reading your blog after your guest post on Stacy Makes Cents. I have really been interested in your home story, and am always so encouraged by reading about people not buying what they can’t afford. I really loved and was so impressed by your post a couple weeks ago when you ran out of your grocery budget and how you made do. Your meals looked so good to me! I don’t know how you have time to blog, but I sure hope that you continue to!
Thanks, Sheila. Sometimes life IS to crazy to blog. (Hence the gap last week.) Thanks for reading and leaving a comment. I appreciate your encouragement!
Oh my goodness! I LOVE the wood countertops. I have Formica that I hate and this makes me want to rip mine out and do just what you did. I think it’s beautiful.
Julia, I’ll let you know how they do. I’m worried a little about them being hard to clean.
I feel excited as if I am going through another kitchen remodel with you guys..love what you are doing again!! Can t wait until you are done so you can give us more yummy recipes..tips..and Grocery Shrink goodness!! Just think of all the inspiration this will give you..hang in there!!
Thanks, Deborah. I’m just starting to get my cooking groove back. Recipes coming soon!
Angela, you’re kitchen is so nice! I always a fan of wood floors,they look great!
Thanks, Gladys! I’m super excited to see it come together.
Hi, do you have a picture of your final countertops?
You can see more here: http://www.groceryshrink.com/plywood-countertops-revisited/ and here: http://www.groceryshrink.com/makeover-monday-angelas-kitchen/
Hi Angela!
Fun to pop in and see the progress! We were in the same boat with our tops – first choice was soapstone (over budget), laminate not an option by choice. So I had the cabinet maker build me a plywood counter top with a 1 1/2″ solid wood edge band to make it look thicker. I then brainstormed finish possibilities, and ended up painting it with chalkboard paint (yep, the stuff that you make chalkboards with), applied with a sponge roller, sanded it lightly, and sealed it with paste wax. Love, love my ‘soapstone’ countertops! Can’t wait to see your idea finished!
Carmella! Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad to hear you love your wooden countertops. I have paste wax….hmmmm. Didn’t think about that as a finish option. Good idea! I’m using putty to seal the seams and then stain tonight—seal tomorrow. Plumber is coming Tuesday. Can’t wait for a sink and to show y’all.
Please can you post a photo of your soapstone look worktops.i have a 34ft long kitchen and no money but i have 44 boards 8ft by 4ft marine ply .im having to double them up to build worktops as i cant afford to buy any.i jave no idea what to do about where all the joins will be and need help .i saw somebody cut the boards up and drill holes under neath at an angle to join pieces of board tightly together with a jag drill ? Then used lond edging piece to cover the fact that its two boards glued one on top of the other as mine are only 1cm thick
Our wood counters haven’t worked out well, especially at the seams. We are replacing them next month with marble look laminate. If you do it, get a Kreg pocket hole jig for super tight joins. Then use clear silicone caulk in every seam. You’ll need to reseal them about twice a year to keep them in good condition.
Angela, I think it’s good when we have these money crises that force us to (not only depend more on God!) but force creativity. I think we lose a lot of creativity these days because people don’t “make do” as much.. We are in an extremely tight financial situation lately because of an upcoming unexpected adoption of a sibling of one our adopted children. (If that makes any sense!) I have been trying to find a way to read about your story (back when you did the Dave Ramsey contest) without spending any money (or almost no money.) I think it’s an ebook or something, but do know if there is a way to get it through a library or something. I guess that’s a forward question to ask the author, but I think you understand what it’s like to not want to spend money!
Hi Liz, if you subscribe to this site (both forms on the right) you’ll get my story for free :). I do have an ebook set which is hundreds of pages of info to help save even more money. Took tons of time to write it, so I feel great asking a small fee to help them since they sacrificed time with me to make it possible. If I can show enough interest in the books and blog a publisher might pick it up–then it will be at a library. Realistically that’s many years away.
Thank you!
Actually, Angela, THAT’S what I was looking for, but couldn’t figure out how to access it. I thought I’d read your story before, but I couldn’t remember how. Hopefully, when there is a little more give in the budget I can buy your ebook. It sounds great, and I look forward to it. 🙂 Meanwhile, I just wanted to be re-inspired by your story! Thanks so much for your help!
Now that you’ve lived with the plywood countertops for a year, what do you think? What sealer did you use?
I’m about to embark on a complete diy kitchen remodel and am thinking about plywood countertops.
Thanks!
Hi Maria, I wrote a post all about it here: http://groceryshrink.com/2015/03/plywood-countertops-revisited.html
I came across your site looking for some budget friendly ideas for my daughters trailer, which a mess with water damage. We are planning to use some second hand cabinets and are going to try the plywood countertops. Looking forward to start ripping out. My daughter lives about 50 miles from us, so we can do the countertops at our house and transport them to her house. Thank you so much for your good ideas.
Pat, your project sounds like fun! You should check out the plywood countertops at assortment. Here’s a link: http://www.assortmentblog.com/assortment/2014/03/chalkboard-painted-countertops-open-kitchen-shelves.html We found the seams in ours to be a problem with water, so I recommend using clear caulk to seal any joins.