Putting contact paper on your kitchen cabinets to add a splash of personality is one of the best tricks for changing the look of a space without actually changing anything (you can take the paper off when you leave). But did you know that you can do the same thing to your entire kitchen counter? If you own a home, it's a lot cheaper than replacing the counter, and if you're renting, it's the perfect fix for any outdated surfaces. And if done properly, it's completely undetectable.
If you're interested in this DIY project but aren't sure where to start, don't worry — it's actually really simple. All you need to get started is the contact paper of your choice, Windex, a ruler or measuring tape, an X-Acto knife, a squeegee, and a towel. Once you have all of your materials, follow the instructions ahead for a step-by-step guide. You can also watch this incredibly helpful YouTube video by user Superholly that shows you each step in detail.
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The very first thing you need to do is clean the surface of the counter thoroughly. This will not only ensure your contact paper sticks properly, but will also keep you from trapping anything underneath that will make your newly beautified surface bumpy or rough. Windex typically works wonders, but always read the back label of your cleaning product to ensure it's safe for the surface you're about to use it on. Windex will also come in handy again later.
Now it's time to size it up. Position your contact paper where you want it and cut accordingly. It's best, if you can, to select contact paper with lines on the back to help you measure accurately. Use your ruler or measuring tape to be as precise as possible. If you have a large surface to cover, you'll have to combine pieces for a smooth finish and overall design, so pay attention to seams and be sure to lay everything out before you start sticking it down.
Here's where that Windex comes in again, thanks to a tip from YouTube user Superholly. Spray a small amount of Windex on the surface you're covering one more time before you peel off the protective backing on the underside of the contact paper to reveal the sticky side and lay it down. This will allow you to slide the contact paper into the perfect position and won't affect the overall stickiness of the final product, because you're going to use your squeegee in just a moment to press it all out from underneath the contact paper. Once you have the contact paper in the perfect position, use your X-Acto knife again to carefully clean up any edges that need fine-tuning.
The next and final step is to use the squeegee to smooth the contact paper down and get all of the Windex out from underneath. Use your preferred towel to sop up the liquid as you squeeze it out from the edges of where you've placed your contact paper. Once you complete this step, you're done! All that's left to do now is enjoy your refurbished kitchen counter.
