Hack them with contact paper

Jules Yap·
ShelvesWork Station
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IMG 5110
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Materials: Enetri shelving unit, Micke desk

Description: Some link love today. I stumbled upon these beautiful yet simple hacks by Jonathan of Happy Mundane [via Apartment Therapy] that had me wishing I bought reams and reams of contact paper the last time I was Home Depot.

Jonathan covers the classic Enetri with contact paper with walnut wood grain and painted the silver frames a darker shade. I’ve always thought the Enetri had good bones but some how it never struck me as a stunner. But now, just giving it the right shades makes it a head turner. Don’t you think?


The genius of contact paper is that you can start a stick-a-thon. Jonathan goes on and faux grains his Micke desk. The beauty is knowing when to stop. The desk would have been a tacky mess if totally covered in walnut contact paper. But just a touch and it turns from meh to marvellous.

IMG 5103

See more of the contact paper makeovers on Happy Mundane [via Apartment Therapy].

~ Jules

Jules Yap
Latest posts by Jules Yap (see all)

10 Responses

  1. You can just start in a corner an roll it on, you can press the contact paper down wt a hand to remove bubbles. It may be easier if you cut pieces on the edges and the whole way around, before the bigger eras. I know that someone have been using contact paper on their kitchen closet. You can Google how to do it. It may be easier to paint the furniture wt water based paint or spray paint, or try contact paper on some small furnitures first.

    Reply

  3. To get an even, smooth coverage with contact paper, use water and Dawn dishwashing liquid. Mix Dawn and warm water. Sponge a light layer of the mixture over the surface to be covered. Release contact paper from the backing paper and lay on the wet surface. You can slide and move it around now so it fits. With a sponge, press the paper down and excess water will squeeze out the sides. As the water and soap dry under the paper it will make a VERY firm grip. No idea why it works but It has been successful for me.

    Reply

    1. great idea! will definitely have to try. I think the only tricky part would be effectively doing the corners to make them look seamless

      Reply

  4. Wow, these look phenomenal! I always forget that technology has advanced everywhere, not just in things like touch screens. Linoleum floors and contact paper are prime examples, the patterns have improved like ten fold since I was a kid!

    Reply

  5. I wonder if there are different “grades” of contact paper? Like, cheap common crap…and then higher quality adhesive/better image quality/more convincing woodgrain effect?

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  6. ^

    @ Anonymous:

    I was just wondering the same thing. These pics sure look great. But anytime I’ve seen contact paper…I guess I’ve just never really paid attention to it, because it doesn’t seem very reliable. I am wondering how evenly it sticks (with bubbles?), how easily it peels up or gets torn…etc. Honestly I’ve never used it, it just doesn’t seem like a very good material.

    But again, all those pics look great, and very nice idea.

    Reply

  9. thing is, with contact paper–it looks great in photos, but looks like crap in person, generally.

    though these photos look awesome!

    Reply

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