The Affordable Countertop DIY That Takes A Basic Media Console To The Next Level

When you're ready to relax with a movie, stream a show, or play a video game, the focus is usually what's on the screen and not the media console's surface. But hold on to your remote! This idea for a do-it-yourself countertop just might grab all your attention. You can create an affordable DIY countertop for your media console that takes it from basic to next level. Working with epoxy resin isn't especially difficult, but it can be tricky for first-timers. You'll need a clear understanding of the process before you get started if you want the installation to go smoothly.

Creating a media console top and covering it with epoxy resin lets you tailor the console to fit your design style and also your room needs, which is helpful if your media center is a built-in or is an unusual size. Sure, it would be easy just to skip the DIY and buy something. You could pick one of the gorgeous countertop materials your favorite HGTV stars swear by, like the Statuaria quartz by Silestone, favored by Hilary Farr of "Love It or List It," or the Lennon granite, also known as Bonno, preferred by Jennifer Todryk of "No Demo Reno." But if you purchase a countertop, it will cost a lot more and won't give you the opportunity to make it your own. With this project, you provide the labor, creativity, time, and, as expert woodworker, craftsman, and epoxy artist John Malecki says, the right epoxy resin, and the reward is a spectacular look that will make it hard to pay attention to the TV or video game.

Before starting, come up with a vision that showcases your personal style, whether that is ocean-themed to remind you of beach vacations, a dark and infinite constellation of stars, or the classic elegance of marble or geode designs. There are gorgeous epoxy countertop ideas for every design style, and you're limited only by your artistic talents and imagination. One ambitious TikToker built her media console countertop using MDF boards that she primed, painted, and then topped with resin. She went with Stone Coat Countertops White Epoxy Undercoat, which gets positive reviews from users and is formulated specifically for use atop counters. To be a little fancy, she added a metallic powder for some shimmer, but she could have opted for a stunning DIY gold leaf marble epoxy resin countertop if she really wanted to go next level.

Using epoxy resin relies on having a chemical reaction, which means you'll want to be precise in your measurements and processes (and don't forget protective gear). The resin you're most likely to encounter for home use will be a true epoxy resin rather than a phenolic resin; although phenolic resin is a more sustainable substance and is normally found in labs where a more durable, heat-tolerant surface is required. Take the time to review all the manufacturer's instructions and watch any accompanying videos. Spreading thin layers of the epoxy resin is easy using a foam roller, similar to the Mister Rui Foam Paint Roller, which will break the surface tension of the resin. Foam is preferred as it doesn't shed while providing an even distribution of resin and minimizes the formation of air bubbles.

As you decide whether to create your own epoxy resin-topped media console, there are a few other things to consider, including how you may be using your media center and where it's located — resin is not fond of rain, so keep your DIY indoors. Due to its durability, epoxy resin is worth considering over traditional countertop surfaces like quartz or that old standby Formica. While installing a Formica countertop has benefits (and a few drawbacks), ultimately, it isn't very forgiving if something heavy is plunked on it, and it's not fond of high heat. Stone Coat Epoxy, by contrast, is fine basking around pots and pans up to 470 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to prep the surface accordingly, as moisture can prevent the resin from curing correctly.

What other benefits does resin have? Most are non-porous, non-toxic, and food-safe once they have cured (thoroughly dried). Several brands of epoxy resin mention that they are UV resistant, which is an excellent feature if sunlight is streaming in from a nearby window. Speaking of surface resistance, picture this: You're watching a tense football game when your team's wide receiver misses that would-be touchdown. Now, with the urge to make a throw of your own, an impact-resistant topper made of epoxy resin holds a lot of appeal! Resistant against all the right things, non-toxic plus unique and affordable, epoxy resin countertops might just blow past the next level and move to whatever is beyond it!