“I’m sorry, did you say I could make my own concrete countertop??” The words echoed with a mix of disbelief and excitement. When planning our new studio space, we stumbled upon an opportunity that seemed too good to be true: the chance to embark on a DIY concrete countertop project. After reading about similar endeavors last year and being thoroughly impressed, we knew we had to give it a shot. Little did we know that this journey would be filled with both challenges and triumphs, as we transformed an ordinary countertop into a unique work of art.
Before diving in, let’s take a look at the supplies we gathered. At the heart of the project was Ardex Feather Finish, of which we used two bags. To smooth and shape the concrete, we had an array of sandpaper in fine, medium, and coarse grits, along with a hand orbit sander—an optional but incredibly helpful tool. Putty knives and drywall knives of various sizes and widths were essential for spreading the concrete, and disposable containers for mixing were a must. We also picked up concrete sealer, though our search for a food – safe option was a bit of a journey. Initially, local stores didn’t have any food – safe sealers, so we went with their recommendation, planning to always use cutting boards to protect food. However, further research uncovered some promising food – safe alternatives. Painter’s tape, a paint roller, and a brush rounded out our toolkit.
The process began with sanding the existing formica countertop. Using coarse sandpaper, I roughed up the surface, knowing that the cement would adhere better to a textured base. After a thorough sanding, I wiped the countertop clean with a damp rag and let it dry completely. To protect the surrounding tile and grout from the sanding process and the concrete, I applied painter’s tape just above where the backsplash met the wall tile. We also removed the sink, allowing me to access the area beneath its lip.
Mixing the concrete was a delicate dance. Following the instructions on the Ardex Feather Finish bag, I used a 1 part water to 2 parts dry cement ratio for smaller batches. A disposable plastic cup and paper containers, similar to movie theater popcorn buckets, became my mixing vessels. I quickly learned that it was best to mix just 1 cup of water with 2 cups of dry cement at a time. Any more, and the concrete would start to harden before I could spread it properly. With a small and wide putty knife, along with a large drywall trowel in hand, I began the process of spreading the concrete. It was a bit like icing a cake, with smooth, even strokes, but also reminiscent of patching a wall with spackle. I didn’t worry too much about getting a perfect first coat; I knew that any thin spots would be covered in the next layer.
Navigating the right angles, like where the backsplash met the countertop, required a bit of finesse. Using a wide putty knife, I pulled the wet cement up onto the backsplash and then towards myself on the countertop, creating a clean, sharp corner. But the real challenge came with the rounded angle at the top of the backsplash. It was a painstaking process, using a small putty knife to apply tiny amounts of wet concrete, smoothing as best I could. In the end, a lot of the shaping happened during the sanding phase. A good rule of thumb I discovered was to err on the side of adding too much concrete—after all, excess could be sanded away, but adding more meant mixing another batch.
Once the first coat was spread, I let it air dry for a full 24 hours. Then, armed with medium sandpaper, I sanded down the surface, focusing on knocking down any high spots. It wasn’t about achieving a perfectly smooth finish at this stage; it was more about creating an even base for the next coat.
As I continued through the process, layer by layer, I could see the countertop evolving. The rough, wet concrete was slowly transforming into a solid, sturdy surface with a unique, industrial charm. Each step brought me closer to the vision I had in mind for our studio space, and I couldn’t wait to see the final result. This DIY concrete countertop project wasn’t just about saving money or adding a functional element to the room—it was about the joy of creating something with my own hands, a testament to the endless possibilities that DIY projects offer.
