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Though plenty of rooms in the house can boast an older, nostalgic look (we love a midcentury modern-inspired living room), one space that really needs to be up-to-date is the kitchen. After all, heavy, wooden cabinets and patterned linoleum floors don't exactly inspire delicious cuisine, right? That said, if you don't have the time or budget to renovate your entire kitchen, we have an easy and cost-effective solution: contact paper. Contact paper, a super-thin adhesive donning a punchy pattern or color, is a way to decorate boring or outdated cabinets in the kitchen. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this handy household essential.
Contact paper is an adhesive vinyl designed to decorate or protect your kitchen cabinets' interior (or exterior). It can also be used for drawers and other flat surfaces in your kitchen. Available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and patterns, contact paper also offers an affordable alternative to a complete renovation. Its versatility and time-saving benefits make it a practical choice for refreshing your kitchen without breaking the bank. At only a few dollars per roll, it's one of the best ways to create a stylish countertop or sleek, modern backsplash. Plus, due to its water-proof elements, it also helps maintain overall cleanliness by shielding against dust, scratches, spills, and, of course, liquids.
While both contact paper and shelf liners protect your cabinets and shelves, they serve slightly different purposes: Contact paper has a sticky backing that adheres directly to surfaces, providing a more permanent layer of protection and decoration. In contrast, shelf liners are typically laid on top of shelves or drawers without adhesive backing and are often thicker, offering a more cushioned layer of protection. Shelf liners also allow for easy removal and cleaning underneath. If you prefer a solution that is less permanent and simpler to adjust, shelf liners might be the better choice for you.
At this point, you may be thinking that contact paper and peel-and-stick wallpaper are basically the same thing, and you're not wrong. They do share a lot of similarities, except for one key one: Contact paper is super, super thin. It's designed to cover small surfaces, like cabinets and drawers. Wallpaper, on the other hand, is thicker and meant for large surfaces like walls and ceilings.
To apply contact paper efficiently, you will need the following: a measuring tape, a smoothing tool (like a squeegee), and a utility knife or box cutter. Begin by wiping down the surface where you’ll be applying the paper. If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can roll out the paper and leave a few extra inches as a precaution. Next, cut off any excess paper using your precision knife or scissors. Peel away the backing and apply the paper slowly to the surface, smoothing out any bumps or bubbles towards the edges. If you miss the edge mark, don’t worry. Simply trim another piece and press it down. In most cases, the seam will be barely noticeable.
Before buying your contact paper, measure your space carefully to choose a roll that fits your needs and provides adequate coverage. Ensure all rolls are from the same batch to maintain consistent color and avoid shade discrepancies. Additionally, check that the contact paper is suitable for your surface type—whether smooth, textured, or uneven—to ensure proper adhesion and a seamless appearance. Selecting the right contact paper with these considerations will help achieve a professional and cohesive look in your project.
In most cases, contact paper should be simple to remove and take no less than a few minutes, depending on how much you need to peel off. If it has been in place for a while, using a blow dryer on a low setting can help loosen it, making it easier to pull off in one fell swoop. Start in a corner rather than in the middle or from an edge, and slowly lift the paper off to ensure it comes off in one piece. If any adhesive residue remains, you can use a good remover or rubbing alcohol to clean it up.
Yes, you can paint over contact paper. Better yet, that's probably the best option for any temporary project. Whether you want to add a custom design or refresh the look, painting over contact paper is a feasible option. Ensure the contact paper is well-adhered to the surface and clean before applying paint. Using a primer can also help the paint adhere better and ensure a smoother finish.
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