The Best Faux Marble Countertops on a Budget

Last Updated on January 15, 2024

Check out my review of the best faux marble countertops for the budget-conscious and see if they’re the right marble alternative for you.

My husband and I moved into a townhome that needed pretty much every square inch to be updated. The dirty old carpet and laminate floors needed to be replaced, the plastic blinds were falling apart, the vanities and fixtures were outdated, the whole house needed to be painted, AND the solid surface brown countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms really needed to go. In other words, we had a full home update on our hands and a $40K budget. 

Marble Calacatta Alternative

In addition to not knowing a single person who could do the work, I didn’t know how we were ever going to be able to afford it all. I do not consider my husband or me to be handy people. But we can paint, which saved us thousands of dollars. But that’s pretty much where our skills end!

When it came to updating our countertops, I really love the look of calacutta marble. It’s so beautiful and timeless. But real marble countertops were not in our budget. Plus, I wanted to update all the countertops in the house which consisted of our kitchen and 4 bathrooms, which is a lot. 

I started researching faux marble countertop options and there were a few out there. One was quartz, which can look similar to marble and is beautiful. I strongly considered this option. Another is granite, but I didn’t like the look as much as quartz. Regardless, both of those options were putting us well over budget given all the other updates to the house we wanted to make. 

Tip: Use your neighborhood Facebook page or Neighborhood app to help you find the best contractors. We used about half a dozen contractors for our updates, and I found them all on from recommendations our neighborhood Facebook page.

Formica Calacutta Marble

In all my online research, I discovered Formica 180fx, which is a laminate marble countertop option. It actually looked very similar to real marble in the pictures, and I could replace every countertop in the house for a fraction of the price of real marble or even quartz or granite countertops.

I read a handful of reviews from bloggers who had installed them in their kitchens, and I was sold! Sure, they’re not going to be as luxurious as real marble countertops, but faux marble countertops give you so much more bang for your buck, especially if you’re on a tight budget like we were.

Laminate Marble Countertop Pros

1. They Have a Calacutta Marble Aesthetic

Visually, they really do look like calacutta marble countertops. 180fx calacutta marble countertops are white with the trademark gray veining throughout – just like real marble calacutta. They will for sure elevate the look of any kitchen or bathroom. I got a ton of compliments on them whenever anyone came to the house. I actually think these were a huge selling point when we put our house on the market.

2. They’re a Budget-Friendly Alternative to Marble

When comparing to marble, quartz, or granite countertop prices, there’s really no comparison. Formica 180fx faux marble countertops are very affordable! I replaced the kitchen countertops (including a kitchen island) and 4 bathrooms for just under $5K. And that included a new undermount sink and faucet (plus installation of all of it!). Just to put quartz countertops in our kitchen would have been almost twice that cost. 

Note: Our contractor said that this sink was the only undermount option (at that time) that could be installed with laminate countertops.  Check with your contractor on what options you have for sinks before purchasing one.

3. They’re Durable

I had these faux marble countertops for 3 years before we sold our home, and they held up amazing. They were also super easy to clean, and we didn’t have to worry about all the staining that can happen with real marble countertops. 

Laminate Marble Countertop Cons

1. They Have Seams

Because it’s not real stone, the laminate comes in pieces that are put together and you will likely end up with a seam somewhere on your counters. We had one in a corner. It honestly didn’t bother me that much, but it is something to consider. 

2. The Edges Aren’t as Nice as Stone Countertops

For me, this was the dead giveaway that they weren’t stone. We installed the waterfall edge which definitely looked more elevated. But the corners and sides of the countertops do not look like real stone. 

3. The Underside is Unfinished

Most people probably wouldn’t be bothered or even notice this, but I noticed. To me, the underside looked like particle board. But with real stone, of course, you don’t have this issue. 

Should You Buy Formica 180fx Laminate Faux Marble Countertops?

If you love the look of calacutta marble countertops and are on a serious budget, I absolutely recommend Formica 180fx. Not once did I regret my decision. Buying laminate marble countertops completely transformed the look of our home and with all the money we saved, it allowed us to upgrade the entire house.

Visit a showroom that carries them if you are on the fence to make sure you really like them in person. I didn’t do that and was very happy, but I am also a bit of a risk taker! 

I hope this post was helpful as you embark on your new countertop journey. Happy decorating! 

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