Get The Marble Countertop Look On A Budget With A Gorgeous IKEA Solution

IKEA is a hub for just about anything you need for your home, from closet organizing tools to stunning glass cabinets. Now, you can add fancy countertops to the long list of things you can purchase from the Swedish home decor haven. IKEA's EKBACKEN countertops are affordable, easy to install counters that clock in at a fraction of the cost of real stone, helping you get a marble look for far less money.

The EKBACKEN countertop comes in white marble, dark gray marble, and wood and limestone looks, all with laminate as the main material. It comes in two sizes, with the smaller version measuring 74 inches long and 25 ⅝ inches deep (close to the typical countertop depth of 25 ½ inches). That means you can cover a little over 6 feet of counter space with just one $99 slab. 

Marble typically costs $40 to $200 per square foot. Since the EKBACKEN countertop is less than $8 per square foot, this IKEA alternative can save you hundreds of dollars on your kitchen or bathroom renovation. Beyond the financial savings, the laminate countertops also offer easy installation, since laminate is easier to carry and cut than marble, and you simply need a circle saw and silicone to get started.

In addition to the benefits of cost and installation, customers have also reported that their EKBACKEN countertops look "fancy" and appear as though they cost far more money than they actually did. However, the upscale appearance does not get rid of the concerns over non-conventional countertop material. Laminate has a shorter lifespan and is far harder to repair than other types of countertops, so it's not a go-to option for most designers. 

The material is durable but not heat resistant, and laminate can peel and warp easily. IKEA customers noted these potential downsides, especially on the edges of counters that were exposed to heat or water. "It seems the edge strip cannot withstand even brief exposure once daily to the heat/steam rising from the dishwasher," one reviewer wrote, reporting that the counter warped quickly after installation. And, although you're saving money on the front end, laminate countertops might negatively impact your home's resale value. 

There are a few ways to protect your counters from the potential pitfalls of laminate, though. First, always place runners or rubber mats underneath hot plates and appliances to ensure that you don't permanently damage or delaminate your counters. Make sure that you have enough space between your dishwasher and the countertops, and consider placing a space in between the two to avoid water damage. Finally, clean up stains immediately so that your countertop doesn't hold onto them forever.