Solid Wood Block Countertop Design! 2026

Solid Wood Block Countertop Design, I made new countertops for my kitchen with a butcher block slab I bought from Ikea.

This was a pretty easy and inexpensive remodel and a great update from the old Formica that came with the house.

I hope you find some inspiration to make yours.

Step 1: Tools and materials

Tools and materials that I used to carry out this project (affiliate).

• Ikea Butcher Block Slab (solid wood)
• Circular saw
• Orbital sander
• Wood conditioner
• Wood finish
• Wood sealer/finish
• Silicone putty
• Level (and shims)

Step 2: Cut the block of wood

I started the project by measuring my cuts.

I then secured a straight edge fence to run my circular saw and make my cuts.

I also swapped out my standard circular saw blade for a fine tooth blade for a super nice, clean cut.

The large block was lifted off the ground and supported by 2x4s.

Step 3: Sand the slabs

Then I worked my way up to 320 grit and sanded the slabs with my orbital sander.

Step 4: Finishing

Before staining the wood, I use a wood conditioner.

This helps even out the color and create a much more uniform dye layer.

As for the stain, I chose walnut for this project.

The longer you leave it on, the darker your stain will be.

Step 5: Seal and Finish

I spent a lot of time researching sealants and finishes for these counters because I really wanted to protect them well.

To protect these countertops (especially against water and moisture), I chose to seal them with several applications of Waterlox.

I started by sealing the bottoms and sides with two coats of Waterlox Original, letting them dry for 24 hours between coats.

I started out using a paint pad, but eventually abandoned it and just used a good quality brush for the lids.

The upper parts needed more protection than the lower part.

I started this step by applying two coats of Waterlox Original, with 24 hours drying time between them.

I also sanded each coat before applying the next with a piece of super fine steel wool.

I wanted the countertops to have a more matte finish, so I used a mix of 50/50 Waterlox Original and Waterlox Satin Finish for the last two sealing coats, for a total of 4 coats.

Step 6: Installation

I removed the old Formica caps and slid the new ones in their place.

I used shims to make the tops completely level.

To secure them, Ikea conveniently provided some screws and angle bracket screws.

Pre-drill the holes and then screw one side to the base of the cabinet and then one side to the countertop.

To make sure I didn't cut too much, I used painters tape to make a depth guide on my drill bit.

Step 7: Caulk the edges

TheLast step to complete the countertops was caulking the edges.

We wanted to add a backsplash, so I added the tile backsplash before finishing with caulking the seams.

And with that, the countertops were complete.

Step 8: Enjoy your new countertops!

What an improvement! For more detailed instructions on the countertops, be sure to watch the video. I hope this inspires you and I would love to see photos of your countertops if you decide to make your own.

Video:

Video Link.

Source: https://www.makergray.com/

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