Easy Upcycles Using Contact Paper For Furniture

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Are you looking for contact paper for furniture ideas? Here are several easy ideas to get you started they were created on a budget.

I had some things around my house that I wanted to update, but was afraid to do something permanent in case I didn’t like them, got tired of them, etc. I used contact paper to upcycle these 5 items. (Tip – great for renters too!)

Uses for Contact Paper For Furniture & DIY Projects

Use Contact Paper To Update a Bookshelf

Here is my bookcase, and I felt it was a little plain.

I added contact paper to the back of a bookshelf.

Place the contact paper by an edge, slowly peel the backing off and slide your hand back and forth to prevent bubbles from forming. If you make a mistake, just peel it up and try again.

Now it has more depth and dimension to it.

Use Contact Paper To Update Your Appliances

Here is one of my bookshelves, and I felt it was a little plain.

I added some stainless steel looking contact paper to it.

I cleaned the fridge, and after it dried, I stuck one edge down, peeled the back, and slid my hand back and forth to get a clean stick without bubbles. This contact paper was kind of like tinfoil and a little harder to work with.

Now it fits in much better.

Use Contact Paper On Small Furniture

I felt my old upcycled TV stand that we use as a charging station needed a little lift.

I cut foil backsplash wall stickers that I found at Dollar Tree to fit the trays. I stuck one end down, peeled the backing off, and slid my hand back and forth to smooth it out as it attached to the tray.

Use Contact Paper For Privacy Screen

I placed a piece of glass I had cut to fit the tray on top of each shelf to protect the shelves.

Our office has French glass doors and sometimes I wished I had some privacy while working in there.

I didn’t want to do anything permanent I would regret, so I tried clear contact paper. I used a piece of regular paper and used it to measure and cut out 12 squares of contact paper. I stuck the contact paper to the windows, peeled the backing off, and smoothed it onto the glass.

I placed a stencil on top of the contact paper and colored in the stencil with a Sharpie.

Now we have a little privacy in our office.

Use Contact Paper Inside Drawers or Furniture

This is my grandpa’s chest he built and we use it for blankets. I had painted the outside white and I also added contact paper to the inside of this chest to give it a little facelift.

Laundry Room Cabinet Makeover

I used removable wallpaper that I bought on Amazon to update my cabinet doors. You can see the full tutorial on my blog post Easy Inexpensive Laundry Room Makeover on a Budget

Entertainment Center Makeover

I used removable contact paper on the back of my entertainment center when we gave it a makeover. It really made the background pop and look so much better. You can see the whole transformation in my post Entertainment Center Makeover: Easy and Quick with Video

Glass Block Seasonal Decor

I’ve added contact paper to a decorative craft block and then decorated it per season, plus added lights inside for added glow. You can see examples and tutorials for these in my post Creative Glass Block Crafts For Beginners

Contact Paper Serving Tray

I added contact paper to a baking sheet. I used this for a serving tray.

I’ve also made a command center that could hang on our entryway.

You can see these tutorials on my post What To Do with Old Pots and Pans: 10 Awesome and Easy DIYs

Contact Paper On Carboard

I have used contact paper on cardboard. Whether it’s upcycling for a trashcan, adding it to a box to help carry supplies and groceries, a sign for my front door, or adding boards for a spooky Halloween entryway, I’ve had a ton of fun repurposing and upcycling with contact paper. You can find all of these tutorials in my blog posts:

• Easy DIY Cardboard Halloween Decorations
• Things to Make with Cardboard: Ingenious Ideas

Faux Tree or Wood Candles

I updated a lantern and made faux aspen candles using contact paper and a little paint. You can find these full tutorials in my blog posts:

• How To Update A Lantern
• Faux Tree Candle Holders

Easy Upcycles Using Contact Paper For Furniture Video

You can these creations in my video with Hometalk.

Can you use contact paper on furniture?

Yes, contact paper is a form of wallpaper but this adhesive paper isn’t permanent. It’s self-adhesive and it’s great to give a piece of furniture a makeover or some texture. It’s not just limited to this, it’s great for crafts too. This peel and stick wallpaper is great for things like

• dresser’s drawers
• coffee table
• update old furniture and flat surfaces like a drawer face
• your kitchen cabinet in your kitchen design
• update your kitchen countertops or bathroom counters with marble contact paper, or perhaps a microwave
• Use wood grain paper to update a wall, laundry room, or even your flooring temporarily
• update your laptop

Just be sure to use a smoothing tool to help you remove air bubbles, start with a clean surface, and it can be a challenge to match the seams. As you can see it’s not just for shelf liners anymore.

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