How to Install Contact Paper Countertop

Learn how to install a contact paper countertop for a budget-friendly, beautiful kitchen counter solution. I’ve installed these 3 times, and I’m sharing all of my installation tips and tricks plus my full contact paper counter review!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. When you purchase an item via these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

I love using contact paper for a budget-friendly marble counter look. I find it really easy to install, it’s removable, easy to keep clean and I recently applied it to the island counter in my studio. It makes a lovely backdrop for my DIY videos!

Photo by Tracey Jazmin

I’ve also installed this faux marble contact paper over the counters in both of our RV renovations and get lots of questions about it.

So, let me answer all your questions on contact paper countertops today!

   

Can contact paper be used on countertops?

Yes, you can definitely use contact paper on countertops. I’ve installed it on 3 different counters and two different countertop materials. 

Does contact paper come off easily?

It usually does, but this depends on the contact paper you use and the material on which it’s installed. 

Can you put contact paper on wood? On laminate?

You sure can. I’ve put contact paper on both wood butcher block counters and laminate countertops with success.

What is the best contact paper?

The best contact paper for counters in my opinion, is this marble look contact paper from Amazon. The brand is D-C-Fix, and it’s a vinyl film that’s easy to clean, is water resistant and more durable than traditional contact paper. I’ve used this contact paper 3 times on counters, and it’s held up beautifully. It has a marble look that I think looks beautiful!

How to install contact paper countertop

Watch my YouTube video to learn how to install contact paper step-by-step:

1. To begin, clean your countertop thoroughly with a degreasing cleaner. If you’re covering a butcher block counter, you can also sand it to make it smooth.
2. Next, measure you counter and then cut the contact paper to the required size with sharp scissors. If you’re using D-C-Fix, you can use the grid on the back for straight cuts. Make sure to leave extra product to wrap around the sides and bottom of your counter.
3. Gently remove just the first couple inches of the backing paper and put it in place.
4. Begin smoothing the contact paper onto your counter with a plastic spatula, a dry cloth, or your hand. 
5. Continue pulling off the backing and smoothing the vinyl onto your countertop a few inches at a time.
6. Keep measuring, cutting, and applying the contact paper until your entire counter is covered.
7. For extra adhesion and to help remove any air bubbles, move a hair dryer on a low heat setting over the covered surface to shrink the contact paper. Use your hand to gently press out any air bubbles.

Cutting around the sink

Applying contact paper around a sink can be challenging. You can create a template from scrap paper first by laying the paper over the sink and tracing around the perimeter. Use this template as a pattern when cutting your contact paper, adding 1/2″ to 1″ on the cut lines for error.

To help keep the contact paper from lifting and give it a finished look, you can add a bead of caulking around the sink and where the counter meets the wall.

Addressing the corners & seams

Counter corners can be tricky to cover. I like to cut a notch out of the corner of the contact paper, and then fold each side down. Use a blow dryer to heat the vinyl and smooth it down with your hand for a sharp-looking finish.

As for seams in your contact paper, you can try matching the patterns in your vinyl as best you can. Butt any joins together as close as possible instead of overlapping them for a smoother look. You can buy D-C-Fix at various widths for less seams in your installation.

Cleaning DIY marble look counters

Surfaces covered with the same D-C-Fix product that I use can be washed with soap and water. I haven’t had any issues with staining or ripping yet, but this will depend on how often you use your counters and what you place on them.

Is contact paper heat resistant?

This particular contact paper that I’m using here is heat resistant to 170°F. Check the specifications on the product you purchase for its heat resistant qualities.

Contact paper countertop pros and cons

Pros of contact paper countertop:

• easy to install
• inexpensive
• easy to clean
• easy to remove

Cons of a contact paper countertop:

• can look cheap
• can bubble or tear if not installed properly
• not as durable as a solid surface countertop

Contact paper countertop review

After installing contact paper countertops 3 times, I think they’re a fantastic solution for a beautiful looking countertop on a budget. They are easy to install, easy to clean, and look pretty good for the cost. I think this is a fantastic solution for something like an RV kitchen or a small rental kitchen. Contact paper counters would also be a good solution for someone that wants to cover counters they dislike until they can afford new ones. Would I choose these for a long term countertop in my own kitchen? Probably not. However, contact paper countertops are a wonderful DIY for many other applications.

Now tell me: Would you install contact paper countertops in your own home?

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