Putting contact paper on kitchen cabinets is a great way to give a dated kitchen a whole new look. It’s an inexpensive and effortless way to refresh the look of your kitchen and add a unique touch of style. Contact paper is a great way to protect your cabinets from wear and tear due to frequent use. Additionally, it’s an ideal solution for renters who want to spruce up a kitchen without making any permanent changes. With a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from, contact paper can be used to create a truly custom look.

Using contact paper on kitchen cabinets is also an easy way to introduce color and texture to your kitchen without breaking the bank. You can choose from a variety of materials including woodgrain, marble, and even faux leather. Plus, contact paper is much more affordable than replacing the cabinets entirely. This makes it a great option for anyone looking for a budget-friendly kitchen upgrade.

Remove The Handles

Before you start adding contact paper to your kitchen cabinets, it is important to first remove the handles from the cabinets. This is to ensure a neat and even finish when the contact paper is applied to every surface space. Removing the handles will also make it easier to measure and apply the contact paper. To remove the handles, use a screwdriver to unscrew them. Make sure to keep track of any screws that you remove, and store them in a safe place. Once the handles are removed, you can begin measuring for the contact paper.

Measure The Cabinets

To measure for contact paper for your kitchen cabinets, start by measuring the width and length of the cabinet doors and drawers. Use a measuring tape to measure the perimeter of the doors and drawers, and note the measurements down on a piece of paper. If there are any handles on the cabinets, make sure to subtract the width of the handles from the overall width measurement. Then measure the height of the cabinet doors and drawers, and note the measurements down.

Next, measure the sides of the cabinets. Measure from the sides of the cabinets, not the top edges. Measure the width and height of the side panels, and note the measurements down. When measuring, make sure to account for any overhang that may be present on the sides of the cabinets.

Once all the measurements are taken, add up the width and height measurements for each of the cabinet doors and drawers, and the side panels. This will give you the total amount of contact paper needed for your kitchen cabinets. For example, if the total width is 20 feet, and the total height is 10 feet, then you will need 30 feet of contact paper to cover the kitchen cabinets.

Clean The Surfaces

Before adding contact paper to the kitchen cabinets, it is important to ensure the surfaces are clean and free of any dirt or debris. Start by wiping down the cabinet doors and drawers with a damp cloth. Use mild soap and water if necessary. Make sure to wipe in the direction of the wood grain and rinse the cloth frequently. Once the surfaces are clean and dry, you can begin adding the contact paper.

For the sides of the cabinets, use a vacuum to get rid of any dust and dirt. Vacuum the nooks and crannies of the cabinet sides to ensure all the dirt is gone. Once the sides are clean, you can use a damp cloth to wipe down the surfaces. Again, make sure to wipe in the direction of the wood grain and rinse the cloth frequently. Once everything is clean and dry, you can apply the contact paper.

Peel And Apply Contact Paper

Peel off one sheet of contact paper and press it firmly onto one side of each of your cabinets. Press it down firmly and smooth it out so that you don’t have any air bubbles underneath. Make sure that it is smooth, but not too smooth. A slight amount of air bubbles is okay, but too much can cause problems later on.

Remove Any Pockets Of Air

Take a credit card or other small flat object, like a paper clip, and firmly press down on the contact paper. You should be able to feel any pockets of air underneath. If you can feel pockets of air, then you need to remove any excess paper from underneath the contact paper and re-apply it. These pockets of air are what cause air bubbles when you put them on contact paper later on. If you don’t remove them, then they will cause problems when you apply the contact paper later on.

Removing Excess Contact Paper And Reattaching The Handles

Use a razor blade or craft knife to cut away the excess paper. Make sure to go slowly and be careful not to cut the paper too close to the edges of the cabinets. After the excess paper is removed, it is time to reattach the handles to the kitchen cabinets. If you have removed the handles earlier, use the same screws and hardware to reattach them. Make sure to tighten the screws securely and ensure that the handles are firmly attached. Once the handles are attached, you are done and your kitchen cabinets are ready to go.

Now that you know how to put contact paper on kitchen cabinets, enjoy a clean and easy installation process.