The tops of wooden counters and tables typically require special intervention to ensure durability since this part will see a lot more pressure, moisture, and sometimes even heat than other parts.
To get a durable countertop, you need to use wood resistant to moisture, scratch, and heat to a reasonable extent, among other things.
Several types of wood have some qualities of a good countertop material; however, they are primarily inexpensive or challenging to use. On the other hand, plywood offers these qualities, including affordability and ease of use.
Therefore, most DIY lovers prefer to use plywood for their countertops for its many benefits. When you build DIY countertops with plywood, you ensure a beautiful and durable tabletop.
There are many styles you can use to achieve an amazing countertop, and this guide does well to highlight several plywood countertop ideas.
However, the guide does not stop at the ideas but includes free plans for each idea so you can follow them to make your plywood countertop.
DIY Plywood Countertop Plans
Get ideas for your countertop design, including straightforward plans you can follow. The list contains various DIY countertop plans varying in price, style, difficulty, and more.
1. Double Layer Kitchen Countertop
The kitchen is one of the most common locations for countertops, and a plywood design fits the location perfectly. This design features a double plywood layer for extra strength to carry whatever weight you put on the counter.
However, while the double layer means additional durability, it also means a higher cost, as you’ll need double the plywood size. In addition, you’ll need the plywood, stain or paint, contact cement, screw, saw, and sandpaper, among other things, for this project.
An intermediate-level DIY experience is required to complete this countertop design. Luckily, the style takes little time once measurements and cutting are completed.
In addition, the type of stain you choose should fit into the kitchen’s overall look. In the end, you’ll get your kitchen’s thick layered countertop design.
2. Washing Machine Countertop
Can you utilize the space above your washing machine without fearing any damage due to the vibrations from the machine? Properly using space, especially in modern houses, is essential, and this idea makes a countertop on the washing machine.
With a special countertop design, you can make a sturdy and efficient countertop above your washing machine for other activities. You’ll need plywood, glue, nail or screw, measuring tape, and saws to follow this washing machine countertop style.
You’ll first need to measure the space above the washing machine and cut two plywood pieces to that size. Long scrap pieces nailed or screwed to the walls slightly above the washing machine act as support carrying the countertop.
When you use glue between the two plywood boards, you ensure they don’t come off at any point, and stability is guaranteed. This idea does not require screwing the plywood to the support, which means you can raise and remove them when needed.
The flexibility is essential as you may want to remove the washing machine for repairs or maintenance.
3. Solid Maple Plywood Countertop
Maple plywood is a hard and clear wood with an easy grain structure, further boosting its durability. The advantages of using this design with maple are enormous, with its solid width one of the most prominent.
The choice for this idea is a ¾ inch solid maple that ensures you get the desired thickness and strength without having to join two plywoods with glue.
The single-layered countertop will ensure there are no seams in your design. You’ll require maple plywood, screws, wood glue, filler, trim molding, sandpaper, finish nails, and wood, among others.
Trim molding covers the plywood edges with the help of wood glue, ensuring a smooth and inviting look all around. The final stain you choose will depend on your style.
This process is easy and takes a short time to construct; staining, on the other hand, may take several days as you wait to dry before applying extra layers. Nevertheless, an intermediate-level DIY enthusiast can handle this project without stress.
4. Laminated Kitchen Plywood Countertop
Laminated countertop surfaces are water-resistant and scratch resistant to a great extent, increasing your countertop’s durability.
Adding a laminate layer on your plywood for countertop design will ensure you do not have to deal with stains that can be messy and take a lot of time to dry between layers.
Instead of doubling the plywood sheet to increase its width and support the edges as it is practiced widely, this idea uses strips on the edges alone. The trips are attached to the edges of the plywood, which makes the entire structure lighter, and saves materials while providing stable edges.
Since the idea uses a laminate layer instead of stains, it’ll take a considerably faster time to complete with less stress along the way. You’ll need plywood, laminate, contact cement, trim router, screws, clamp, and different saws to complete this design.
With the laminate, you can choose among various colors and styles to fit your specifications and match whatever design you already have in your space. The size of the kitchen countertop area will determine the size of plywood you’ll need to complete the project.
5. Small Plywood Countertop
Sometimes, you only want to cover a small cabinet top rather than the typical large kitchen counter surface. Due to the size of the project and the plywood material, handling small countertop surfaces like this is easy, and you can complete the construction in a few hours.
Staining may add several more hours or days to the process, but overall is considerably shorter. This idea utilizes two plywood sheets – a ¾ inches top layer and a ½ inches lower layer.
For this design, you’ll need plywood (¾” and ½”), a table saw, a jigsaw, pine trim, glue, clamp, finish nails, filler, sandpaper, and stain.
Measure the countertop and the sink using tape and then mark them on the two plywood sheets. Adding plywood strips to the edges will raise the countertop and give room for drawers.
Nevertheless, this is optional, as you may decide to only double the layer for extra strength. Leaving raw edges may be unsightly sometimes, so covering them with pine trips and glue will ensure an inviting look. Here’s a complete guide on how to handle this project.
6. Laundry Room Plywood Countertop
Adding countertops to your laundry room is non-negotiable if you want better space management and comfort.
A plywood countertop over drawers and tables will save you money and provide quality, especially since there’s no sink, so minimal water spillage is expected.
The idea also uses plywood to make additional levels above the drawers for storing equipment. In addition, the laundry is a low-traffic area, so installing in this room will not have many durability effects.
Some of the materials you’ll need for this project are ¾” plywood, wood stain, jigsaw, circular saw, wood glue, OSB, select pine, and brad nailer. Doubling the wood layer will increase its thickness, durability, and appeal.
Plus, you do not have to use expensive plywood for the bottom layer as other cheap alternatives like OSB will serve.
Additionally, use glue between the wood layers and cover the edges using the clear select pine. The stain you choose depends solely on your style and preference.
7. Simple Plywood Countertop
This design uses plywood to cover the washer, dryer, and waste bin area, all the way to the wall. It is a simple flat surface with no additional levels or elevations.
Simple design often coincides with the ease of making the countertop, and this idea does not disappoint in that regard. You’ll have a countertop above the laundry machines and below the cabinets giving you extra room to use.
Measure the area with a tape measure and mark it on the plywood. Since it is straight edges with no sink and the need for an inner cut, a simple table saw will suffice. You could even take the measurements to the plywood store and have a woodcutter cut it down to size for you.
Add a long plywood strip on both ends along the countertop length to improve the edge stability. Still working with the extra plywood, take two strips and nail them on the opposite walls across the laundry machines.
The wood strips on the wall will hold the countertop above the laundry machines. You can place the countertop on the wood strips without nailing, but finishing is essential.
Whether you choose a light polyurethane finish or a darker stain, you want to seal the top of the plywood before use.
8. Kitchen Table Plywood Countertop
You can choose oak, walnut, or ash plywood for their extra durability and ability to take on stain if you do not intend to cover it with laminate.
First, measure the tabletop and cut out the plywood.
Next, take strips from the remaining plywood and add them to the edges of the countertop using glue and nails. Cleaning excess glue as you work is required to avoid unsightly glue on the countertop.
Choosing between staining or laminate surface depends on your budget, the time you can put it, and more. Laminated surfaces take a shorter time to complete, while staining is more stressful and time-consuming.
Kitchen table tops will see a lot of moisture while cooking and cleaning, so it is important to cover them with several layers of your chosen finish to seal the top or use laminate.
Why Use Plywood for Countertops?
You may be wondering if plywood is a good choice for your countertop design, seeing that there are many other wood options you can use.
How does plywood differ from others, and why should you consider it? Here are reasons for using plywood when making countertops:
1. Inexpensive
plywood is an affordable wood you can use for your countertop, seeing that you can get a square meter for $1. Its affordability makes it a great option for people under a budget.
2. Lightweight
plywood is lightweight, perfect when hanging on strips between walls. The weight of the wood will not pull them off their hangers.
3. Easy to Use
one of the major pros of using plywood, in general, is its ease of use, seeing that you can easily cut, nail, and join the wood without stress. Using plywood for the countertop will reduce the time and energy required to set up your desired structure.
4. Good Quality
plywood has good quality when you factor in its cost. It can easily absorb stains to seal the wood and improve its quality.
Final Thoughts
Plywood countertops are beginning to gain waves, with DIY enthusiasts exploring the possibilities of using inexpensive yet durable plywood for their countertop designs.
Luckily, plywood is easy to use, which makes its creativity far-reaching, as you can employ several styles to create the perfect countertop.
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