How to Cover Counters With Contact Paper

If you have kitchen or bathroom counters that are faded, worn or otherwise unattractive, replacing them can be expensive. Perhaps you are renting a home and find the counters unsightly. In either case, you can cover the counters inexpensively using attractive, resilient contact paper.

Cover Counters With Contact Paper

You can easily remove the paper when you are ready to upgrade, or move out.

Remove everything from the counters and then clean them thoroughly. Make sure there are no crumbs or dust on the counters. Wipe them down with a clean, dry towel.
Place the contact paper upside down on the counter so that, as you unroll it, the paper backing is facing up. Unroll the contact paper starting at one end of the counter. Make sure the end of the roll hangs down to the sides of the counter if you wish to cover the sides as well.

Roll the contact paper out across the counter to the other end. If there is a sink in the counter, roll the paper across it. Again, make sure the paper covers the length of the sides, if desired.
Use the pencil to trace around areas that need to be cut out of the contact paper, such as a sink. Mark off the end of the paper to be cut, as well.
Leave the paper backing on the counter top and cut out any traced areas. Peel a small section of the paper backing off of the contact paper. Apply the paper to the end of the counter and smooth it out while someone else slowly peels away more and more of the backing.

Tip

Smooth out bubbles in the contact paper as you go. If you see a crease or large bubble, slowly pull the paper up from that spot and then slowly smooth it back down again. Use a butter knife or small screwdriver to push the contact paper under the sink border or other areas, if necessary.

Warning

Do not put hot items, such as pans, directly onto the contact paper-covered counter. Do not slice or chop food directly on the counter.

How to Cover Counters With Contact Paper

Things You Will Need

Tip

Warning