How is that china cabinet looking? Maybe a little outdated? How about we give it a new life WITHOUT completely redoing it with paint or stain!
Why not add some personality with leftover wallpaper? Here’s how to do it!
we have a few things to consider first.
Wallpaper vs. Contact Paper
Pros of wallpaper are that you have more time to put up the strips perfectly and you can slide them around a bit on the surface, but the cons are that it is more of a project because there is a lot of prep work and it can be messy.
Contact paper is cheaper and relatively mess free, but you have to get that giant sticker perfectly lined up and it can be difficult to move around. If you have a paper that has a repeating pattern on it, lining it up will be really tricky.
Prepasted Wallpaper vs Unpasted Wallpaper
Prepasted wallpaper is a bit easier to use because you don’t have to mess with the paste. All you do is add water. That being said you have to careful about the amount of water you add because too little won’t give you the adhesion you’re looking for and too much could tear the paper and soak off the paste. So yes, it is a bit easier, but the thing about Prepasted wallpaper is that it’ll start to unstick and curl sooner than unpasted wallpaper.
Unpasted wallpaper requires more work and more tools. You have to get the right type of paste depending on the wallpaper (it will be specified in your paper’s instructions) and you have to roll it on with a roller.
Ok, now that we have decided what type of paper we’re using, we can get started!
The first thing you’re going to do is take out any shelves that are removeable. If they’re attached to the cabinet, you’ll be working in smaller spaces and with smaller sheets of paper. Just follow along with the instructions and do the same process for each section between the shelves.
Next, you’ll prep the surface that you will be putting the paper on.
*You can skip this step if you’re using contact paper.
If your surface isn’t a shiny one, you can go ahead and put a sealing primer up. Follow the instructions on the label. We recommend the Dynamite 221 Acrylic Primer and Sizing. This product will prep your surface and keep the wallpaper from shrinking over time.
If you have a shiny surface (maybe a polyurethane is over the stain or paint) you should sand it down and then add a paint primer on top. You can use pretty much any primer; we recommend Sure Seal.
This step is really important. You want the adhesive you put on later to be able to grip onto the surface of the cabinet and makes it easier to remove later on.
Placing the Paper
If you’re using Contact Paper, just peel and stick. Line up your first sheet with a top corner and peel off bits of the backing as you go. Gently smooth out any air bubbles with a scraper tool (or a credit card.) Once the first sheet is up, use that same scraper tool to get it into the bottom edge and use a box cutter (utility blade, snap off blade, any blade that is very sharp) to cut along the bottom of the sheet.
If your paper has a repeating pattern, figure out where the repeat matches at the top and use a straight edge to cut it to size.
And repeat until all of the strips are up and put the shelves back in.
If you’re using Prepasted Wallpaper, follow the instructions of how to wet the paper and how long it needs to sit to activate the adhesive. After the paste has been activated. Line up your first sheet with a top corner of the cabinet. Stick the paper to the surface and slide it around so that it lines up with edges of the cabinet. Once the first sheet is up, use that same scraper tool to get it into the bottom edge and use a box cutter (utility blade, snap off blade, any blade that is very sharp) to cut along the bottom of the sheet. If there is any paste leaking out, use a barely damp sponge to clean it up right away before the paste has dried.
If your paper has a repeating pattern, figure out where the repeat matches at the top and use a straight edge to cut it to size.
And repeat until all of the strips are up. Once it’s dry, put the shelves back up.
And finally, if you’re using Unpasted Wallpaper, you’re going to need some wallpaper paste. We carry the Dynamic 234 Premium Grade Heavy Duty Clear Wallcovering Adhesive. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer of the paper and the paste. Line up your first sheet with a top corner of the cabinet. Stick the paper to the surface and slide it around so that it lines up with edges of the cabinet. Once the first sheet is up, use that same scraper tool to get it into the bottom edge and use a box cutter (utility blade, snap off blade, any blade that is very sharp) to cut along the bottom of the sheet. If there is any paste leaking out, use a barely damp sponge to clean it up right away before the paste has dried.
If your paper has a repeating pattern, figure out where the repeat matches at the top and use a straight edge to cut it to size.
And repeat until all of the strips are up. Once it’s dry, put the shelves back up.
All the products talked about can be purchased at Struve Paint and Decorating. Stop in and browse our wallpaper selections!
So, there you have it! A gorgeous, fresh look for your cabinet! Try it on a bookshelf too!
Patricia at Struve's