Try this kitchen-fixup if you are tired of the look of your kitchen. Want to fix it up for only a little money?
Did you know you can get rid of those laminate countertops and it can be done on a penny pinching budget? Try tile. You do not even have to remove the laminate finish to do it.
But you do have to remove your sink and that is not hard or difficult to do.
You really can do this, I know because I have; in fact several times. Don’t ever be afraid to try something new, there is always someone you can ask for help or information.
Just think of the money saving by doing it yourself. A new kitchen look and you did it.
- First thing to do for your kitchen-fixup; measure your counter tops, so that you have a general idea of the square footage.
Find the tile you like, try the discount tile stores, sometimes they have discontinued lots of tile that can be bought for next to nothing. If you want a real eclectic look mix your colors, that is personal taste.
You will need thin set mortar, not the already mixed kind in a plastic tub. The one you need is in a bag and is mixed with water. Check with the person at the hardware or tile store for which one.
Then you need grout, also in a bag and mixed with water. For a kitchen-fixup, I do not recommend white, it is too hard to keep clean, either match or compliment your tile color.
You will also need spacers for your tile, or if you prefer, you can eyeball the spacing. I recommend the spacers. They are fairly cheap. They range from 1/8″ – 5/8″, for the kitchen-fixup I used 1/8″. It depends how far apart you want the tiles from each other.
Next, a tool for scoring your tile in case you need to cut pieces. Your local hardware store can tell you how to use it. In fact a lot of stores will cut the tile for you, for free, provided you bought it there.
Because you are doing the kitchen, you want to seal the grout when you are finished. Buy a grout/tile sealer; this is a liquid that you simply put on with a small brush. It will take about 3 applications to make your grout waterproof.
So that’s:
Tile
- Thin set mortar
- Grout (not white)
- Spacers
- Tile scoring tool
- Grout/tile sealer
- To start: remove your sink and clean your countertops thoroughly. Soap and water will do, but make sure you rinse and dry.
Mix your mortar in small batches, so it does not dry out. Mix to the consistency of thick peanut butter.
There are 2 ways to apply the mortar, either spread it thinly on the countertop or butter each piece of tile and place it. I recommend spreading it.
Use a small putty knife for this process and work in fairly small areas. Don’t do too big a spot or the mortar will dry before you can set the tiles. Make sure you put it on thick enough to set your tile, but not so thick it will ooze between the tiles. Don’t forget to use your spacers.
- After all the tile is set, remove your spacers. Then let dry it for at least 24 hours. Now you are ready to grout.
Mix your grout about the consistency of thick pudding, not thin. Using a putty knife spread your grout, pushing it into the grooves between your tiles. Work in small areas. With a damp sponge wipe across your tile. This will help push it into the grooves.
Once all the grouting is done, wipe down with a damper sponge to clean off the excess. A film will form to show you any grout that was not removed, just keep washing, and washing.
- Let the grout sit and dry for at least 24 hours before sealing.
Now wash the tile down for the last time and get ready to seal. Dry the tile with an old rag before you start. Take a small paint brush and run over the grout lines with the sealer. Any sealer you get on the tile can be removed with a damp cloth.
Allow to dry between coats for at least 2 hours.
Now you have a beautiful new look for your kitchen.
Take a look at my kitchen-fixup. I used a wood trim, but you can do it with tile edging. Suit yourself, it is your kitchen.
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Remember Grandma did it, so can you. If you have any questions about doing the job, the people where you buy the tile are usually more then willing to help. Besides if you are happy with their advice and your new kitchen-fixup look, they hope you will come back for more tiles. So it’s a win, win situation.
This is probably one of the most eye catching kitchen-fixups you can do.