Just because you didn’t spend a fortune on your home project doesn’t mean it can’t look that way. Although contact paper has been around for a while, it’s becoming a trendy decorating staple that can help you achieve a luxury look for a better price. And if you’re renting or planning on moving, using it is a no-brainer. Use the following tips to help you revamp every room in your home with contact paper.

Buying tips

Before you click purchase or head to the store, consider these points. When you purchase your paper, be sure to follow the instructions on the product label for the best installation results.

Measure

If you’re applying the contact paper to a large areas, such as countertops, desks, or walls, be sure to measure beforehand. Measure the length and width of the area you want to cover, and purchase enough rolls to cover the area with a few extra inches in case of an application error.

Choose the right density

Not all contact paper is the same thickness. Thin contact paper, around 0.1mm, is best for a shelf or other low-traffic areas. Thick contact paper, around 0.3mm, is best on high-traffic areas like countertops.

Pick the perfect finish

Make sure you read the description on the contact paper’s label to ensure it’s the correct finish. Finishes like matte, shiny, metallic, and textured will give very different aesthetics.

Kitchen

New kitchen cabinets and countertops can be expensive and time-consuming to install. However, refinishing them with contact paper can add a luxe five-star restaurant look.

Cabinets

Painting cabinets can be a great way to make them pop, but so can contact paper. Use these design ideas for inspiration:

• Line your cabinet’s shelves to give your plates and bowls a chic area to rest.
• Outline the cabinet door perimeter with a strip of metallic or bold-colored contact paper for a whimsical look.

Counters

New countertops can be expensive to install. If you’re renting or aren’t planning to stay in your home forever, revamping these surfaces with a marble or faux wood contact paper can go a long way to make your kitchen feel like new. Pro tip: use contact paper that contrasts your cabinet and wall colors.

Bedroom and living room

The quality and look of your furniture can have a dramatic impact on the atmosphere of your rooms. Instead of buying new pieces, you can do the following to update your existing furniture with contact paper:

Lamps

Add a pop of sparkle, shine, or pattern to your table tamp by simply wrapping the lamp’s base with contact paper. You can cover the entire base or cut strips and make horizontal stripes around it. Just be sure that you don’t wrap it close to the light to prevent melting the contact paper to the lamp base.

Side table and coffee table

Transform your side table or coffee table by lining the top of the table with the contact paper or wrapping the legs with it. You can upgrade an inexpensive side table with plastic legs by wrapping them with metallic gold contact paper. If you’re going to cover the tops of your tables with contact paper, consider purchasing one that is waterproof. However, if you don’t use one that is waterproof, just remember to use coasters.

Common areas

You may not think about decorating the areas in between rooms, but putting some love into these spaces can tie your home together.

Stair risers

Not a fan of stair runners? Update your hardwood staircase with a fun pattern or color that will stand out. For a bold look, choose contact paper in a contrasting color to the treads or stain of your stairs, or use a contact paper that has the same colors for a subtle look.

Interior doors

As you leave or enter a room, wouldn’t it be nice to see something different and playful on the door? White doors are a safe design choice, but covering your door in contact paper or outlining the door panels can help set the tone for a playroom, office, or game room.

Most importantly, have fun with your contact paper! There are no rules to how much, what color, or what shape you should use—make it work for you.