There are ways to freshen the look of your countertops without replacing them. Please see Give Your Kitchen a New Look for ideas on creating the look of stone. Another way to achieve the stone look is to use spray paint that creates a stone-like finish. I like Krylon’s “Make it Stone.”
Tape off edges and cover other surfaces with drop cloths. You will still need to clean and prime the countertop or other surface first, using primer that is compatible with the paint. Make sure to ventilate the area well. Shake the paint well and apply by holding back the number of inches recommended on the can (brands vary).
Spray on light even coats. Don’t worry about light or missed spots. Touch these up with the next coat. See Break Out the Spray Paint for more tips on applying spray paints. Then, simply apply a clear protective coating.
You can also trying mixing clean sand with paint to achieve a stone effect. Don’t overdo the amount of sand you add to the paint, as it will be difficult to apply if you do. For small surfaces, it’s simpler to roll on a thick coat of paint and sprinkle clean sand over it while it’s still wet. You may have to do a little more rolling or make adjustments with a paintbrush to get the sand coat even.
When sand/paint finish has dried completely (allow extra drying time), apply several clear coats of polyurethane as directed. Make sure to allow plenty of drying time before using the surface. You want top achieve a hard, durable finish.
If you’re not big on trying painting techniques, you might want to consider tiling your countertops. While natural stone is lovely, it is expensive and often requires special tools and a good deal of skill to apply, you can also find great peel and stick tiles with the realistic look and feel of stone. These are simple to apply and cut to fit, and they are quite affordable.
Do not apply polyurethane to tiles without thoroughly checking to make sure it won’t cause damage. Instead, wax the countertops and keep them clean. Strip them occasionally and apply fresh wax to seal and protect.
*These methods also work for bathroom countertops.