The kitchen is a place where the tenants of the apartment spend a lot of time: they cook here, eat food, but often also have a meeting with friends. Therefore, naturally, I want the room to look attractive.
Favorite cozy kitchen becomes a place for family communication, a room in which they often spend most of their free time.
Countertops belong to that part of the kitchen set, which, due to regular use, increased exposure to various kinds of damage, loses its appeal most quickly. If the damage is minor, then it is worth repairing the table top - the options depend on the material used in its manufacture.
The worktop used in the kitchen undergoes various loads during its operation.
If the surface is no longer subject to restoration, then it is worth thinking about a more radical way - to replace it completely. Let us consider in more detail options how to update the countertop in the kitchen with their own hands.
Homemade table with ceramic tiles looks unusual
Content
The result of the replacement of the countertop and the type of kitchen before and after
They update the existing countertop in different ways - the final result here depends only on your imagination. However, there are three main options that are most popular.
Transforming the kitchen after replacing the countertops and facades
In the first place in terms of creativity and prevalence is painted countertops using a stencil. This method allows you to implement any ideas, being also the least expensive in terms of money. The desired pattern can be found on the Internet, printed, then you will only need to cut the stencil itself (using thick cardboard or thin plastic), and it's time to get to work.
With the help of stencils, practically any ideas can be realized, and this method will not be expensive.
In addition to the stencil, you will also need acrylic paints of the desired colors, a brush, a foam sponge. Before the start of painting it is necessary to prepare the surface: wash it, degrease it. Next, the table top is covered with the main color, then using the template and a sponge, the selected pattern is applied. In order for the paint not to flow under the stencil, the pattern is clear, experts recommend applying a thin layer of paint to the sponge. If you doubt that the sponge will gently apply the image, use a brush.
Painting under the stencil goes well with decoupage. On the surface of the working area, which is regularly used and cleaned with chemical detergents, this method is not recommended, but, say, a dining table or a countertop of a bar counter in a studio apartment, so you can safely decorate it.
You can do a creative thing with your own hands if you use the decoupage technique
The main thing is not to overdo it with the number of drawings, to choose a suitable combination of pictures for decoupage and pattern of painting, otherwise it may turn out impassive.
Tools, as well as material costs here, too, will need a minimum. Ready dekupazhnye pictures are sold in all stores with products for creativity, but you can save by cutting pictures from napkins, magazines, newspapers. Works are carried out in several stages:
The second option is to update the working plane of the kitchen set with your own hands - decorative tile coating. This option is suitable for plastic, wooden tabletops, as well as made of fiberboard / particleboard. Even ordinary ceramic tiles are suitable for this, but the mosaic looks much better.
It is advisable to combine the tile on the tabletop in size and shades - so the pattern will be more original
When choosing colors for future coverage, experts recommend taking into account the style of the apron, which is located above the working area. A more original design is obtained when using a combination of tiles that differ in size and color.
Also, the tile can be combined with a mosaic in the form of large tiles, which greatly facilitates and speeds up the process of decoration.
To update the tiles will need the actual tile, glue for it, grout. The sequence of actions during the work is similar to the previous method of restoration of the tabletop: the surface must be washed, dried, then put glue, lay tile. When everything is dry, grouting is applied over the tile.
The third most expensive way to repair the tabletop is using tempered glass. But the result looks accordingly - expensive. The set of actions is standard: cleaning, degreasing the surface, coating with paint, after drying - laying, fixing the glass sheet.
Painted table top with glass will look presentable and very rich
For a more dramatic appearance, instead of a monochromatic layer of paint, apply some pattern on the countertop. To do this, often use stencil painting or the same decoupage. Tempered glass protects the pattern from abrasion, will give greater strength to the table itself (unless, of course, you will not chop meat here with an ax). Also, experts recommend that such a design was removed from the plate.
You can put the glass directly on the raw surface with any texture
Sometimes repairing an old countertop is more expensive than buying a new one. Here the choice is obvious - it is better to replace it. There are a lot of options today, so there is an opportunity to choose for every taste, color and budget. Also, when choosing to take into account the overall style of the kitchen.
Countertops are of five types:
Countertops made of hardboard or chipboard, covered from above, for greater resistance to moisture, elevated temperature, a layer of plastic - the best option in terms of "price - quality". They are also distinguished by a large variety of textures, their care is extremely simple, resistance to various kinds of damage is quite high. Qualitatively smeared with water-repellent sealant joints significantly prolong the life of the surface, in addition, retain its original shape. The disadvantages of plastic - can remain scratches, stains.
Worktop with a plastic outer layer - a modern composite in the kitchen
Stone planes are divided into two subspecies: from artificial stone or natural. Their distinctive features are high strength, resistance to any external influences (moisture, temperature, etc.), attractive appearance.
Kitchen countertop made of natural stone
Practical and less expensive option - countertop made of artificial stone
The main disadvantages are a lot of weight, high cost, besides, having damaged some part of the tabletop, it will have to be completely changed.
Metal tables are made of stainless steel, used mainly in professional kitchens. They are resistant to mechanical, chemical effects, they are not afraid of moisture and high temperatures, while the price also "does not bite." This material does not have any special disadvantages, however, some are inclined to assert that it contributes to the loss of the useful properties of the products being cut on such a table.
Stainless steel production table
Wood countertops are preferred by lovers of everything natural, eco-friendly, aesthetically pleasing. However, it is necessary to take into account the sufficiently rapid "wear" of the material, plus it can fade from the sun or under the influence of high temperatures, and if the lacquer coating is damaged, it can deform, and therefore requires special care. In addition, the price of the surface is quite high.
High-strength wood of ash, oak, maple, cherry, walnut or bamboo is used for solid wood worktops
As for the glass kitchen planes, they are not suitable for every design - for example, in the old Khrushchev with a “grandmother's” repair, such a surface will look at least strange, but it looks perfect in a modern spacious kitchen. The advantages of the glass table top are impact resistance, resistance to high humidity, high temperatures, a large selection of colors. Among the shortcomings - the high cost, the need for special care.
Glass table with chrome legs in a modern design
There is no need for special skills in the replacement process, however, it will be useful to figure out in advance how to update the worktop of a kitchen unit. So you can do everything right, to avoid mistakes that can affect the life of the surface.
From the tools you need a drill with drills, jigsaw, sawing, sandpaper (preferably fine-grained), sealant, spatula, for marking and making measurements - a pencil, tape measure, a piece, a square.
Tools and materials you need to do your own worktop
When all necessary is prepared, proceed to work. First you need to turn off the water and other communications, remove the sink and hob, then dismantle the old countertop. Experts recommend to carry out the dismantling carefully, it is advisable to keep the parts with which it was attached - perhaps you will need corners, some screws from the old set.
After dismantling the table top, it is necessary to remove the remnants of the old sealant at the joints with the wall.
Dismantling the old surface, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the place where the new one will be installed, paying particular attention to the joints. If there are no openings for the hob and sink in the countertop, it's time to make them.
We use the old tabletop as a stencil for cutting out a new one; at the edges we attach the pads to avoid moisture ingress.
In the case of glass, stone or wood, in the absence of confidence that you can properly do everything with your own hands and do not spoil the expensive material in this way, it is better to entrust the cutting of the corresponding holes to specialists.
Make a markup for the sink and hob, carefully cut out the holes
We cover with sealant and insert the sink into the new countertop
Next tabletop fits into place. Before attaching to the wall and the rest of the headset, you must make sure that it lies strictly horizontally. When all fasteners are installed, the table top is ready for use.
Mount the top profile on the lock mount, then connect the siphon to the sink and install the mixer
The only thing that can still be done - for greater aesthetics, and at the same time reliability of use, close the joints with corners.
The joint of the tabletop with the wall is closed with a decorative plinth and we install the corners.
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