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DIY Granite Countertops – Yes, Really!

Cheap Decorating Ideas, DIY ProjectsJune 18, 2018

I live in a development where all the houses have pretty much the same layout. They were all builder grade basic to start out, and that is one reason I’m always trying to personalize it and add some interest. One of my neighbors was itching to upgrade her kitchen and asked me to help her out with it. She had seen how I painted my niece’s kitchen counters and wanted to do something similar to hers. We talked about it and decided to go with the look of granite countertops as opposed the marble look I did at my niece’s. The granite is better suited to my neighbor’s kitchen and style.

Here is what her kitchen looked like before. She had just replaced the flooring and had someone scheduled to come over and paint the cabinets. My neighbor wasn’t ready at this point to spend the money on new counters, or new backsplash so we matched everything to the existing backsplash.

The Giani Granite countertop kit I used last time worked so well that I wanted to use that product again. We decided to go with the Sicilian Sand kit* to compliment her existing color scheme. Here is her kitchen before:

builder grade kitchen before

As you can see, it’s very similar to what my own kitchen looked like before I remodeled it, it’s just flipped. Her’s is to the right and mine is to the left.

What You Will Need*:

Giani Countertop Kit (We used Sicilian Sand)

Painters Tape

Utility Knife

Small Artist Brush

Light Sanding Sponge

Giani granite countertop kit
How to DIY Granite Countertops:

The first step is to clean the existing counters with a brillo pad. This does double duty. It cleans them as well as roughens them up a bit, no sanding required. Then rinse twice with water.

Next, I used painters tape all around the perimeter of where I’d be painting to protect the walls, cabinets, and appliances.

priming laminate counters, diy granite countertops

After that, you prime them with the black primer included in the kit. It also comes with the roller to apply it. I used a brush around the edges and where the counters meet the backsplash. Once it’s primed, let it dry for 8 hrs. My friend and I were saying we even liked how it looked at this point.

DIY Granite countertops Primer

The kits come with 3 accent color paints and a sponge for sponging them on. Open all 3 cans, and pour a little of each into separate trays. Working in 2-foot sections, sponge color 1, then 2, then 3 without letting it dry in between, you want them to blend.

how to paint your counters to look like granite!!

There is no right or wrong way to do this part. You can add as much or as little color as you like. One thing I did notice, was that as I was progressing along and the sponges became more and more saturated it was leaving more paint on the counters. I had to go back and touch up some of the areas where I started to make it match.

how to paint your counters to look like granite - really!

When that is dry, roll on your sealer (also included in the kit). Wait four hours before using a second coat and sand the first coat very lightly first if needed.

diy granite

When everything has fully dried, score the painter’s tape with a utility knife before removing so you don’t pull any paint up with it. That did happen to me in one or two tiny spots. I used a small, flat artist’s brush to touch up those spots.

How to DIY Granite Countertops, granite countertops kit

Also, keep in mind that real granite countertops are natural stone so the pattern is never exact. This should help alleviate any fears you might have about trying this yourself.

kitchen countertops DIY Granite

Here is a full side by side before and after. Can you believe the difference here using only paint?

Kitchen makeover on a budget, before and after, DIY Granite counters

Using a kit to achieve granite countertops is such a great alternative if you can’t afford to update your existing counters right now. I highly recommend giving it a try. Especially if you have laminate counters, you really have nothing to lose! If you do try it, I also recommend reading the instructions on how to care for them. Even though the topcoat is solid, you don’t want to use abrasive cleaners on them so that they last as long as possible.

However, if you are getting ready to upgrade your counters, check out this post which contains everything you need to know before buying kitchen countertops.

*Thank you to Giani Granite for supplying the countertop painting kit. All opinions are 100%  my own. This post contains affiliate links, you can read my full disclosure here.

How to DIY your own granite countertops!! Budget kitchen decorating

Cheap Decorating Ideas, DIY Projects
Tagged With: kitchens

Comments

  1. Nicole says

    June 18, 2018 at 4:56 pm

    They cane out so good! Love it!

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      June 18, 2018 at 7:29 pm

      Thanks Nicole!!

      Reply
    • Paul says

      February 4, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      How does it handle heat and dishes being slid on them, are they esay to scratch?

      Reply
      • RoxanneK says

        February 5, 2020 at 5:36 pm

        They are holding up well, the clear coat included in the kit is very durable!

        Reply
      • Michelle Passos says

        May 6, 2020 at 11:18 am

        I did this in my kitchen, with the gianai kit. They were beautiful!…. For about 6 months! Then they began chipping, stretching, peeling. I would never do it again & would not advise anyone who actually uses their kitchen to not do this! Or if you have kids who might draw on the counter, or drive a matchbox car over them. My counters are completely ruined & it’s only been a year and a half!

        Reply
        • Yesmin says

          May 17, 2020 at 4:51 pm

          Thank you!

          Reply
        • Terri Probst says

          June 18, 2020 at 10:30 pm

          Mine also chipped/peeled in high use areas. I would advise reapplying the clear coat every few months in heavy use areas. I know I will when I retouch them. Otherwise love this easy redo!

          Reply
          • JennA raymond says

            October 19, 2020 at 4:42 pm

            I used PouR epoxy OVer the sealer they gave me. Its been over a year and a half, with no chipping, etc. i did this after Reading a few reviews of this happening and Knowing i am not easy on my countertops. Good luck! 🙂

            Reply
  2. Marilynn Turner says

    June 19, 2018 at 11:36 am

    What a huge difference. It’s unbelievable that paint could make such a difference. It looks great.

    Reply
  3. Marilynn Turner says

    June 19, 2018 at 1:25 pm

    That looks amazing. Looks like a whole new kitchen, just using paint. Great job.

    Reply
  4. Deb says

    July 4, 2018 at 1:10 pm

    I did this about 4 or 5 years ago and its coming off in lots of areas. Even with about 3 coats of polyurethane. Thinking of doing the concrete overlay

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      July 5, 2018 at 3:15 pm

      Thanks for your feedback, Deb. I’m curious, did you use this exact product? Also, did you follow the care and cleaning directions? I know they recommend not using any chemicals or abrasive cleaners.

      Reply
  5. Benita Blake says

    October 6, 2018 at 1:19 pm

    Wondering how well it stands up to scratches etc, from putting heavy pots or cutting boards or just cleaning?

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      October 6, 2018 at 6:32 pm

      The countertop kit comes with instructions on care and cleaning, as long as that is followed it holds up very well.

      Reply
  6. Ana says

    October 13, 2018 at 10:02 am

    I loved it, where can I buy the kit?

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      October 13, 2018 at 5:06 pm

      Thanks Ana, you can find the kit here: https://amzn.to/2CIta2i

      Reply
  7. Betty Templeton says

    October 13, 2018 at 11:26 am

    I have ceramic tile, Would this on the tile?

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      October 13, 2018 at 5:02 pm

      Hi Betty, I’m not sure if it works on tile. You can contact Giani Granite directly and ask, here is the link: https://gianigranite.com/pages/contact

      Reply
  8. Joyce Estes says

    October 13, 2018 at 1:12 pm

    Love…Love this. You make it look so easy. I am going to do this in my kitchen. Many Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      October 13, 2018 at 5:01 pm

      Thank you, good luck with your kitchen (it is easy)!

      Reply
  9. Faye Bayes says

    November 10, 2018 at 1:07 am

    I am trying to get up the nerve to try this. It seems cut and dried. Is there any way I can get a copy of your directions on how to do this. Thanks a lot.

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      November 11, 2018 at 7:31 pm

      Hi Faye, I’m sorry I don’t have a printout of the instructions, but you could print the blog post! Also, the kit comes with detailed instructions!

      Reply
  10. Pamala White says

    June 14, 2019 at 9:21 pm

    I applied the Giani sicilian sand to my outdated laminated countertops. I now have a new kitchen. Love my new COUNTERTOPs.

    Reply
  11. ALICE S says

    October 15, 2019 at 10:10 pm

    hELLO ROXANNE!

    First off, many thanks for the article. I have a problem and I need your help. I moved into a new house 3 week ago. Everything is fine with the exception of one thing. Countertops seem hardly sealed because they absorb water and I have to wait until water fully dries. I’m really tired of that. I think it’s a good idea to seal them. Currently I’m looking for a good granite sealer which is easy to apply. I’ve been reading some blogs, https://graniteprotect.com/ had the enormous amount of info, hope someone will find it helpful. According to this, Tuff Duck and StoneTech are the most effective options on the market. Can you suggest any good granite sealer?

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      October 16, 2019 at 11:56 am

      Thank you, Alice. Because I don’t have granite countertops myself, it’s hard for me to say personally. However, this article may help you: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/more/it-time-to-seal-your-stone-countertop.

      Reply
  12. Laura reed says

    March 6, 2020 at 9:33 pm

    I’m staRting my countertOp kit tomorrow. Will let you know how it turns out.

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      March 8, 2020 at 8:21 pm

      Great, good luck!

      Reply
  13. Nancy Moore says

    March 14, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    I bought this kit and was so happy with the end product. It Looked fantast! Then about 2 years later it started weari off in Differ areas. No i did not use any abrasive cleansers and i did not sit hot pans on my counter top. I follOwed all the care instructions that were given. It now is a total nightmare now as we are painstakingly trying to remove all of the coats of paint and sealer. Such an unbeiievable mess. You should includE directions on how to remove your countertop kit when it starts coming off because inevitably it WILL COME OFF Given enough time it will come off. Then what?? Need help desperately!

    Reply
    • RoxanneK says

      March 17, 2020 at 12:06 pm

      Nancy, I’m so surprised to hear that! I’ve used this kit twice (in two different kitchens) and neither has had a problem. My recommendation would be to reseal it with several coats as soon as you notice any wear beginning to happen. Also, I think when it comes to anything such as painting countertops you should do so with the intention that it is a temporary solution.

      Reply
  14. Lisa says

    July 16, 2020 at 5:20 am

    Do NOT use this! I can not stress enough. I used it on my counter tops that was recommended by a friend and both of our counter tops peeled off. This is not a good product. It scratches right off over time and use. Mine look horrible and it has been done for 2 years. Getting new counters.

    Reply
  15. Karen Myerd says

    August 3, 2020 at 8:46 am

    I redid all my counter tops in kitchen aNd bathrooms, but after lots of research i chose a different product to compl ete the project. Process is exactly the same. I covered a laminate and tile combination and could not be happier. I did this too save a little as i was completely reModeling a home. The counters get heavy use by me and my grandchildren and while my plan was to redo the kitchen completEly after a few years , i am going on 6 years now and counTers are still holding up well. I love them. I use Garage Armor’s
    Version of countertop refinishing.

    Reply

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Welcome! I’m Roxanne, The Honeycomb Home is my blog for home decor enthusiasts.  Here you will find design inspiration, how to create a home you love on a budget, tricks for making the most of a small space, and much more!   Click the banner above to learn more.

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