Faux Granite Kitchen Countertops
Is your kitchen looking a little tired and old fashioned? Is it looking worn and a little worse for wear? When you think about it you will be surprised how much time we actually spend in our kitchens. Of course if you are cooking for a large family that will come as little surprise but even in small families most members will find they spend some time each day in the kitchen. This is especially true if, like many of us, you do not have the luxury of a separate dining room and your family eats in the kitchen.
Isn’t it amazing how wonderful designer kitchens are these days? It would seem that they have a kitchen accessory or fancy gadget for virtually anything you bring to mind. Not only can you get luxury kitchens with the usual granite countertops and top class cookers and refrigerators, you can now get all kinds of colors and materials to create a truly unique kitchen design to match your personality.
Many people choose to have granite countertops in their dream kitchen because it looks great, every stone is unique, and the material is highly suitable for use in the kitchen. Granite is extremely difficult to damage or scratch and proves extremely durable. The countertops also remain cool which means the surfaces are perfect for the preparation of various types of food.
Sadly such wonderfully designed kitchens can cost an arm and a leg. Most of the better designs are often very expensive indeed and far beyond the budgets of most. Of course much of this cost is because of the high quality materials used for countertops and kitchen units. Other pricing factors include the cost of built in cookers and other electrical good. Even your choice of flooring materials can have a profound effect upon the overall cost of a new kitchen.
If we can not afford a new, purpose built, kitchen it is possible to renovate the existing kitchen at a very reasonable cost. Redesigning your kitchen by renovating it means that the cost can be spread over a period of time, as and when you can afford it. The carcasses of your old kitchen units may be in perfect condition or need only minor repairs. Simply by changing the facings and the countertops you can create the illusion of a brand new kitchen. Change your flooring and redecorate the walls and you can quickly create a whole new look.
Faced with only a very small budget it is still possible to create a new look for your kitchen. One of the best ways to save cash in kitchen renovation is by repainting all the surfaces. Cupboard doors can be painted in plain colors or in fancy patterns or effects such a wood grain. Work surfaces can be vastly improved by creating faux granite countertops.
The faux granite effect is really easy to create but you do need to look at plenty of natural granite so that you understand the pattern you will be creating. First clean the surface and paint with an oil based primer. When it is completely dry paint a base color with a water based paint and when dry start adding your pattern. When completely dry you can create the look of polished granite (and increase protection) by giving it at least 3 coats of a water based Polyurethane gloss varnish.
For a natural look stick to natural colors such as a base color of gray, black or dark green and veins and other secondary features in browns, blacks and lighter greens. For a more modern or dramatic look you can use any combinations of colors but remember you’ll have to live with it unless you paint over.
