Should You Ever Paint Your Countertops? Experts Weigh In

A coat of paint is an easy and inexpensive way to outsmart a multitude of design sins, from down-on-its-luck furniture to dark, cramped rooms. Given paint’s power, if you’re faced with outdated kitchen countertops and a new surface isn’t in the budget, it’s tempting to head to the hardware store and pull out the paintbrushes. But just because painting is often the simplest, most DIY-friendly solution doesn’t necessarily mean it’s your best option here. We chatted with Southern decorating experts about whether or not you should paint your countertops. 

The Short Answer: You Can, But Approach with Caution

Yes, the experts say, you can paint your countertops, but know what you’re signing up for. “I have painted a couple of countertops, but I don’t really recommend it for a long-term solution, especially in a well-used kitchen,” says Atlanta-based decorative painter and faux finisher Hayden Gregg. “I tell people, ‘Think about how beat-up your kitchen cabinets get, and you’re not even prepping food and putting wet sponges directly on your cabinet doors.’ It’s a quick and pretty easy fix to ugly stone countertops, but especially if you do a lot of cooking, it’s not a long-term substitute for just replacing them.” Plus, says Maryland designer Laura Hodges, “You’ll need to be careful with hot pans and excessive scratching.”

What to Consider Before Painting Your Countertops

Hodges has never incorporated painted countertops into her own decorating schemes, but that doesn’t mean she’s opposed to doing so. “I think it could be a great (and sustainable/low-waste) idea for those wanting or needing a very budget-friendly update,” she says. “From a design standpoint, a subtle (hopefully realistic!) faux finish with a top coat—or just a solid color in a more modern setting—could be good options.”

That said, consider the appearance of a painted countertop’s clear-coat finish, as a super-shiny surface may not jibe with your kitchen’s overall atmosphere. “My main concern would be the sheen level since resin can be very shiny and not always appropriate for all settings,” says Hodges. So if a super-shiny countertop seems at odds with your personal design style, painting your countertops may not be the way to go.

Advice for Painting Your Countertops

If you decide to tackle the project as a temporary update, Gregg offers some guidance for how to do it. Start with several coats of a good primer. “Benjamin Moore makes some paints that are approved for ceramic painting. You can use that for countertops,” he notes. “Then you need several layers of a heavy-duty clear coat, preferably lacquer. My advice is to take your time and make sure everything dries fully between coats. You can never have too many layers of clear coat.”

The Bottom Line

While a cost-effective means of updating outdated or unattractive countertops, paint is not a permanent solution, nor is it particularly well-suited for a kitchen that sees a lot of use. If you, like us, are constantly breaking out the cast iron skillet or always whipping up our Cake of the Month, this is one DIY you may wish to skip.