Can anyone suggest the best material and method to redo the nightmare bathroom counter in our new house?
Asked by Theodore Wright 
7 months ago
Last Updated: June 9, 2024
Hey everyone! I could really use some advice. The bathroom in our new house has been giving us some trouble. I’m thinking about redoing the countertop, but I have no clue what material it is or how to go about it. Any suggestions? I’ve been considering peel and stick tiles and a few other options, but I’m not sure what would work best. I just want to make a change, but I’m feeling a bit lost on where to start.
Looks like the wood has laminate just stuck on top in the middle. You could get sections of laminate countertop at Menards and cut a hole for your sink.
This countertop isn’t your typical one. There’s some custom work involved – like that white border and the trim around the backsplash. Usually, countertops are secured to cabinets with screws and brackets accessible from below or inside the cabinet. But with custom work, it could be secured with nails, screws, or glue. Take out the sink and check for screws and brackets underneath. If it’s not coming off easily, use a flat bar to carefully lift it off.
I totally get your frustration. That countertop is definitely a DIY job if I’ve ever seen one. Seems like they just glued laminate onto wood trim. It looks like you have a standard 48″ vanity, so finding a replacement top should be doable. Take out the drawers and check underneath. Since it’s a wooden countertop, you should see screws securing it to the cabinets. They might have also used silicone or adhesive. You’ll need to carefully cut and pry it off.
Hey there! Unfortunately, most of the house has been done in a similar fashion and I’m slowly working on fixing it… hopefully the right way! I’ll check under the drawers to see what I find. Thanks! If I remove the sides, could that potentially damage the walls? Should I leave the sides?
It’s hard to tell from these pictures, . If you’re going to remove it, start by lifting the laminate. That might help you determine if it’s nailed or screwed in. It’s possible that it’s screwed in from the top down into the cabinet and wall from the front, with the laminate added last.
I definitely want to get rid of it, just need to figure out what to replace it with. It shouldn’t be too difficult to peel off the laminate since it’s already coming up in a few spots.
Seems like there’s a 2-piece plastic laminate main counter and a separate backsplash with wood trim. Probably from a time when laminate counters didn’t come pre-designed with a smooth front edge or built-in backsplash.
Just take it off and put in whatever you prefer