Contact paper on countertops. The game changer for my recent kitchen renovation. I’m going to give you a COMPLETELY HONEST review of what I did and my thoughts on this DIY.
I feel like every review I watch or read only tells you the happy, pretty details about products so you’ll purchase from their link.
I want to bring you the full truth because if you’re reading this, I so very much appreciate you! To show you my appreciation, I feel like it is only right that I treat you like a friend. And I’m honest with my friends.
So, friend, I covered my countertops with contact paper. You’re either thinking, “Wait, WHAT?! Is she crazy?!” or “Wow, she’s brilliant!”
Well, I’m here to set you straight; I’m a little bit of both.
Contact paper on countertops. My ultimate opinion on it is this: this is a great, budget friendly temporary solution for your countertops or would be perfect for countertops in campers/RVs, on other pieces of furniture (ex: vanity desk) or for renters. However, I would not recommend it to be a permanent solution for “new” countertops.
I will also tell you, I’m pretty much putting contact paper on everything now. It’s my current favorite go-to.
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Contact Paper on Countertops? Everything You Need to Know!
I had a ton of questions before starting this project so I’m going to answer all the questions I had in this post, plus some addition questions that people asked me or things I wish I knew before I started this project.
I’m going to give you the facts and my honest opinions. Plus, I’m going to put it in question/answer form so it’s easier for you to find what you want to know instead of having to read a bunch of stuff that you might already know.
What is Contact Paper?
Contact paper is an adhesive paper typically made out of a vinyl material that you can stick onto surfaces. It’s commonly used as the lining for the inside of cabinet drawers.
However, it can also be used to cover a variety of surfaces such as, my new personal favorite, countertops.
Contact paper comes in a roll and can be cut to a whatever size or shape you’d like. It also comes in a variety of designs, styles and textures so have fun and get creative with whatever you choose!
This fun adhesive paper sticks well to just about any surface (I’ve found it doesn’t love wood) and peels off so easily! The fact that I can just peel it off if I don’t like it is my favorite part about it and what attracted me to it in the first place.
What Brand of Contact Paper Should I Use for My Countertops?
Not all contact paper is alike and should be used for your countertops. I used the brand d-c-fix because it specifically mentioned that it could be used for countertops. Plus, it’s the only brand I saw other people using when covering their countertops.
That’s not to say that other brands can’t be used, but since this was my first time attempting this project, I wanted to make sure I got contact paper that would actually work for my countertops.
I used a cheaper brand of contact paper that I found at Target for our cabinet drawer lining and while it worked well, it didn’t feel as durable.
So, if you’re looking to cover your countertops in contact paper, I wouldn’t cheap out just to spend less money. I spent $20 a roll and used three rolls. I think that’s pretty reasonable for a countertop makeover.
How Much Does It Cost to Put Contact Paper on My Countertops?
If you go with the brand I mentioned above, it’ll probably be about $20 a roll depending on the size and design of the paper. Although I have seen it for cheaper depending on where you purchase it from. The roll I purchased was 26.5 inches by 78 inches and I used about three rolls.
I would suggest buying extra in case of mistakes or miscuts.
Where Can I Buy d-c-fix Contact Paper?
You can purchase them from The Home Depot or Amazon. I bought some from both places and the price point is pretty much the same at both places and it’s the exact same product/quality.
There are variations in the type of marble look you can select too so shop around if you want something slightly different from what I used.
How Much Contact Paper Will I Need to Cover My Countertops?
My biggest mistake in this process… eye balling the amount instead of measuring.
I got on my Instagram story and foolishly said to my followers, “I got two rolls because I want to have extra!” And then I ran out. (palm in face)
I had measured the width of the countertop which was the perfect size (26.5 inches). That’s the standard size of countertops, but still make sure you measure!
The rolls are 78 inches long and I tried to eyeball the measurement for the 78 inches and I was clearly off. I’m not sure why I thought 78 inches was much longer than it is.
So, every kitchen will be different for what it needs. I used about three rolls for mine, but make sure you just MEASURE yours.
How Easy is it to Cover My Countertops with Contact Paper?
This is the big question! Real honesty here.
If you had asked me after my first strip of contact paper how easy it is to do, I probably would’ve grumbled and responded, “Never again!”
However, I wasn’t really doing it correctly.
Our countertops are originally laminate and they have a backsplash trim. My first idea was to start on the trim and use one big sheet for the whole countertop slab that I was working on.
I wrestled with that sticky paper for at least a half hour trying to make it straight and not have bubbles. It’s not easy to fold paper from the wall to the countertop and keep it straight for the entire length of the counter. You can see in the picture above that the backsplash trim starts to show more and more. In my head that should’ve worked well, but it didn’t.
You can try it that way if you want, but my suggestion would be to cut a piece for the backsplash trim and cover that first. Then, cover the rest of the countertop.
You’ll have a seam connecting the two pieces, but it will be so much easier! Plus, I never got the piece completely straight and I then had to find a way to fix the backsplash trim so you can’t see the old countertops peeking through.
Once I got the hang of it and found easier, more seamless ways to do it, it was SO MUCH EASIER.
I’m like a contact paper pro at this point.
I made ALL the mistakes. But it’s good because now I can tell you what not to do as well as what to do! I’m here for you, my friend.
So, final answer is; it can be challenging to start, but as you learn how to work with it, it becomes much easier! I’m really enjoying using it for other projects and am so thankful I’ve tackled through the biggest learning curves.
I recently tried contact paper on my fridge too! Checkout that transformation HERE!
How Durable is Contact Paper as Countertops?
This was my biggest fear and what I researched the most. It seemed crazy to me that I could put paper on my counter and treat it like an actual countertop. I even was crazy careful for the first few days because I was so nervous that it wasn’t going to hold well.
I’ve had contact paper on my countertops for over a month and they’re still going strong. I’m actually so impressed with how they’re holding up.
Does the Contact Paper Scratch?
Yes. I’ve had the contact paper on my countertops for over a month. If you get really close and examine my countertops in the right lighting, you can see small scratches from wear and tear. They’re not noticeable until you’re really close, but I doubt people will examine my countertops as closely as I do.
You should wait 24 hours before using your countertops so the paper can bond well with your countertops. I didn’t wait long enough and I did get slight imprints from the feet of my InstantPot when I used it. Again, you can hardly see them, but if you do have to use something like that before the 24 hours is up, place a cutting board underneath to prevent the feet from leaving marks.
Remember, this is paper. I’m not expecting it to be as durable as real marble. You have to realize that going into this. This is a great temporary and inexpensive makeover, but it’s not going to beat out actual countertops. It’s paper.
The best part about it is that you can just peel off a piece that might end up looking bad and replace it.
Does the Contact Paper Peel Off Well or Leave Any Residue When It Comes Off?
It peels off so easily! I actually just redid a piece that I had next to my sink because I hadn’t done a great job with it and just wanted it to look a bit better. It had been on there for over a month and it peeled off so easily and didn’t leave any residue. AMAZING!
How Well Will the Contact Paper Stick to My Countertops?
I haven’t had any issues with the paper sticking to the countertops, but it’s like any sticker where it prefers glossier materials, doesn’t stick well to wood or grease. So, make sure you clean the surface before you apply it.
How Do I Prep My Countertops for the Contact Paper?
I just made sure to clean and dry the surface really well. Any dust or grease left on the counter might make it challenging for the paper to stick.
Is the Contact Paper Heat Resistant?
Yes, up to 75 degrees. I wouldn’t place a pan from the oven directly on the counter, but it does well with the item on a hot mat or cutting board.
We have used the InstantPot and make coffee every day (both of which get pretty warm) and it holds up well! I haven’t seen any issues with it.
Is the Contact Paper Water Resistant?
Yes! It doesn’t soak in at all and it’s so easy to clean up.
I did put a waterproof sealant around our sink and one the seams of the paper just for extra durability.
How Do I Put the Contact Paper Around My Sink?
This is one of the more challenging parts of the project.
My first attempt, I tried to start on one end of the sink and put the contact paper completely over and then cut out the sink. Nope. I wrestled with that paper so much and it was just too hard. Could it be done in one strip of paper? Of course! But it wasn’t worth the headache to me.
So, I brought the paper from the start of the countertop to the edge of the sink, measured and cut my piece and then once the paper was stuck to the counter, I cut around the sink as closely as I could.
Then, I cut pieces for behind and in front of the sink and placed those on. After that, I started a new piece on the other side of the sink.
So, I do have seams, but it’s definitely the easier solution and no one notices them.
Just make sure to put a sealant around the sink so water doesn’t seep under the seams.
What Tools Do I Need in Order to Put Contact Paper on My Countertops?
That’s it! That’s all I used. Click each item to get the exact tools I used. There are probably some things kicking around your house that you could use as alternatives, but I loved how these worked and highly suggest them!
How Do I Apply the Contact Paper to My Countertops?
Unroll the contact paper onto your counter and measure out the piece you need for the section you’re tackling. I used my cutter to cut each piece, but the contact paper has grids on the back so you could use scissors to cut a straight line.
Once you have your piece, peel back the edge and place it on one end of the counter. Slowly pull back the backing paper and use your smoother to help smooth and stick the paper to your counter.
Only peel a little bit of the paper at a time as you work with it because it’s more challenging to work with one large sticky piece. Continue until you’ve covered the entire surface.
Next, take your knife or cutter and cut the edges so you have a nice, clean edge and then fold the excess around the edge of the countertop.
How Does the Contact Paper Go Around L-Shaped Countertops?
So, for this, you do have to use two strips and there will be a seam that shows. It is hardly noticeable. I will say, seeing the seams bothered me at first, but I’m really the only one that notices them.
I do suggest putting caulk or a sealant on the seams to prevent dirt, grime or water from getting in the seam. Caulk will also help cover the visibility of the seam.
After Putting the Contact Paper On, Do I Have to Wait Awhile Before Using My Countertops?
They suggest waiting 24 hours, but I think if you’re cautious with them then you could use them earlier. I think the point is to let the adhesive really bond, but as long as you’re not rough on them the first 24 hours then you’re probably good. Definitely wait for the sealant to dry around the sink though.
How Do I Put the Contact Paper Around the Edge of the Countertop or Around a Curved Edge?
Straight Edge: When you put the contact paper on, make sure it’s smooth on the top surface and the whole sheet is completely on before folding onto the sides. If you fold onto the edge too early, you’re more likely to get bubbles on the top part of the countertop and it can be more challenging to get the rest of the paper on.
I saw a hair dryer get mentioned a lot as a tip to use to help soften the paper and make a smoother fold. They would use the hair dryer to heat up the paper and it seemed to help the paper be a bit more flexible going around the edge.
My hair dryer happened to break right before this, so I used my smoother and fingers to carefully fold the paper around the edge of the counter and under. This worked well for me! If you look really closely, you can see small bubbles on the edge of my countertops. This is where the hair dryer probably would’ve helped, but I think it still looks good.
Don’t pull the paper too hard or you might stretch it.
Curved Edge: This one gets a little trickier, but I did the same thing by making sure the top part of the countertop was secure. Then I just cut slits every few inches and folded each piece around the edge.
It does leave a lot of seams, but it looks better than large bubbles. Plus, it’s not crazy noticeable unless you’re close up.
What Happens if My Contact Paper Bubbles?
If the contact paper bubbles while you’re putting it on, simply pull it up where the bubble is and try to reapply it. If you continue to get bubbles and can’t seem to straighten it out, then your sheet is probably not lined up correctly at the beginning. Pull the whole sheet up and start again.
If you’ve finished a sheet and notice a small bubble in the middle, you could take a needle and poke a small hole in the center. Take your smoother and try to let all the air out. I would put a little sealant over the hole so it doesn’t get larger.
Would You Put Contact Paper on Your Countertops Again?
YES. This is my budget friendly kitchen renovation. We’re planning on doing a bigger renovation later down the road, but I wanted to get the kitchen more to our style as best as I could in the meantime.
I loved this solution and think it came out looking really good and we get a ton of compliments from our guests. I 100% would do this again and can’t wait for my next project with contact paper.
Conclusion
I hope I answered all your questions about contact paper on countertops! I had fun with this project and I really hope it inspires you to find something in your home to cover with contact paper. Maybe your countertops?
My biggest advice to you if you are going to start this project; embrace the seams and accept the imperfections. The imperfections are hardly noticeable and you’re probably the only one who will notice them.
Always remember, if you don’t like it or make a mistake, you can just peel it off. It’s still cheaper than buying new countertops!
Alright, friend, do you have any other questions? I’d love to hear from you or see any projects you’ve been working on! Leave a comment below or feel free to email me.
To see the other projects I have going on in our kitchen, check out this post or subscribe to my emails! I’ll send you a free gift and keep you updated on all my budget friendly DIYs.
Have a great day!
