A Brutally-Honest Review of Ikea Butcher Block Countertops • Our Storied Home (2024)

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I recently wrote a post on my chalk painted kitchen cabinets that was pinned nearly 10,000 times. It is one of my most-read posts to date because, honestly, not many people can afford the $30,000 the pros say is the cost of an “average” kitchen remodel. I’m a firm believer that with a little elbow grease and imagination, you can create a kitchen you’ll love by making the most of what you already have and choosing finishes wisely.

Since I wrote that post, I have been asked over and over again to write about the butcher block countertops we installed as part of our budget kitchen makeover. Here, I’m going to answer all of your question (or at least the questions I’ve received so far!) Please, please, please do not hesitate to ask me more in the comments below.

So, let’s jump right in. Here’s some of the questions you all have asked:
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When I was planning the kitchen makeover with about $800 I saved from yard sales and selling things on Craigslist, I knew that a big chunk of that would need to be spent on countertops. The kitchen had dated laminate countertops with a gray-speckled finish and I was not a fan. I chose the Ikea butcher block countertops because I felt like that gave me the most high-end look for my limited budget and I loved the warmth of the wood.

We purchased three of the longest length of countertop (98 X 1 1/8) and managed to cut the wood wisely and use only two. We sold the third countertop on Craigslist and got our money back. We were able to install these countertops for about $300 and just before we made the huge trip to Ikea, I sold anything that wasn’t nailed down so I could buy the farm sink, too.

Please note that Ikea has changed their line a bit since I purchased these countertops two years ago.

Yes, with the help of my dad and Travis. My dad is a DIY and remodeling wiz so we had him come spend a long weekend with us to install the countertops, the beadboard backsplash (which we got for free from a salvage pile) and the farm sink.

The installation process was pretty straight-forward and other than being heavy and awkward, it was much easier to cut the countertops than I anticipated. We installed the farm sink, which allowed us to cut the countertop in two to meet up on either side of the sink, which you can see in the photo above. It would have been more challenging, I imagine, if we had to cut a hole for a sink. If I remember correctly, this is the only way we were able to get away with just two countertops.

Ugh. Yes. And I regret it but, lucky you, Ikea has changed their line and now offers a walnut-colored butcher block so you won’t have to worry about this process.

So what went wrong for me? Because we were rushed to get these installed over a long weekend (um, free labor) I had to rush through the staining and sealing process which was not ideal. When we first cut the countertops and brought them into the kitchen, we were disappointed that they were so light. They looked warmer in photographs and in the store. I basically had one night to stain and seal the countertops.

I did a light sanding to remove the subtle factory finish. The countertops feel like raw wood but there is definitely a light finish that needs to be removed first. I applied a wood conditioner then Minwax Special Walnut. I sealed the countertops with more layers of polyurethane than I can even begin to count. Really, I was probably too high on fumes to count.

I don’t love the finish on the countertops because up close, they look almost black in some places. I’m not really sure why that happened. I’ve considered refinishing them with a lighter stain (maybe Minwax Weathered Oak) and if I did, I’d definitely prefer to seal the countertops with Waterlox, which is pricey at $40+ a quart but I’ve heard that it is much better at protecting the finish from water damage. Honestly though, I’m seriously considering removing the countertops, which brings us to the question I get most:

I like the look of them, yes. As I said before, I’d love them more if they were refinished to remove the black streaky places from my rushed stain job. My biggest reason for shopping around for alternative solutions is this length of countertop which warped and shifted on us:

Last year, we had a leak in our bathroom that left a pool of water on the countertop for maybe five or ten minutes. We thought we caught this fast enough to avoid any damage but within a few weeks, the countertop was starting to move. It was a subtle shift at first but now, as you can see in the image above, it is a very visible shift.

This isn’t a problem with Ikea’s countertops necessarily but I do want you to understand that water damage can wreak havoc on butcher block. I sealed these like crazy and have been almost obsessive about water but we’ve still had issues.

We haven’t decided yet if we’re going to just replace this one length of countertop with a new length of butcher block from Ikea or if we’re going to go a whole new route. I’m really impressed with the laminate options on the market right now, like Formica’s 180 fx line which features a countertop that looks remarkably like marble. Pam from Simple Details installed it in her kitchen and the results are incredible.

I do love the character of the butcher block but I can’t deny that laminate would be so much easier to maintain with a busy family.

So, my advice:

If you just really, really have your heart set on butcher block, go for it. It’s an affordable way to add character to your home and it’s fairly easy to DIY. Another reason I think it is a good buy is that it is an upgrade without being a huge, $10,000 investment that you may not get back if you sell your house. I know in my neighborhood, if I installed $10,000 granite or marble countertops, the next buyer would be doing a victory dance at my expense.

If you’re not sure about butcher block but want something that is less out-dated than your existing countertops, I’d say shop around a little. I may have made a different choice if the market for laminate options had been different a few years ago plus, there are some really impressive products that allow you to paint your existing countertops to create the look of granite or marble. The thought of a countertop that looks like marble but cleans up easily would be very tempting to me. I mean, dark blue-gray cabinets and marble countertops could be pretty awesome…

Okay, friends. Ask away! What other questions do you have?

• Adding Character, Budget, Builder-Basic Makeovers, Chalk Paint

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