How To Update A Countertop With Contact Paper

Learn how to update a countertop with contact paper. Get a durable and high-end look at a fraction of the cost without changing your countertops!

We think you will also love  contact paper countertops and Contact paper ideas

If you have been following my rental bath makeover, you know the biggest eyesore in there was the old yellow counter. It was pretty nasty too from years of damage and no amount of elbow grease was making it look better.

And nope, we could not replace it!

Remember it is a rental and everything is temporary! When we leave, it will need to possibly go back to its former yellow glory.

UPDATE: See what they look like 10 months later

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How to apply contact paper on the countertop –

If you need more details on how to cover the edges and around the sink, here is a video I made showing how I covered a kitchen countertop with black marble self-adhesive paper –

How to update your countertop with contact paper –

Step 1 – Wipe down and clean the entire countertop with your choice of cleaner and do a final wipe down with rubbing alcohol.

Step 2 – Measure and cut out the length of contact paper you need. If the width is not enough, don’t worry, you can later overlap and cover the remaining area.

Step 3 – Slowly peel the backing little by little with one hand and smooth out the bubbles with the credit card as you go. If there is too much air trapped you can always lift the contact paper back up and smooth it again.

Step 4 – Repeat the process for any other areas that were not covered. Just overlap the contact paper slightly on the edges. You might have to roughly match up the pattern.

Step 5 – Cut around the sink and faucets using the exacto knife.

I first tried cutting flaps to cover the edge around the sink but ultimately found it easier to simply cut a long strip separately and attach to the inside edge. You can apply transparent caulking if you like to seal the edges around the sink.

Step 6 – Admire your beautiful “new” countertops.

If you need more details on how to cover the edges and around the sink, here is a video I made showing how I covered a kitchen countertop with black marble self-adhesive paper –

What do you think of the contact paper countertop?

We have had them for almost a month and since it is in the kid’s bathroom they see a lot of “spills”. I am amazed at how well they are holding up. They have even been wiped down with cleaning sprays and still look like they did the first day. Oh, I wish I had known about this in my past rentals!

See all the ways you can use Contact Paper for decor!

One more time before I go here is a before and after –

UPDATE: See what they look like 10 months later

Have you tried contact paper to cover countertops? They also have contact paper available in granite and a whole bunch of colors! I have seen these used to update kitchen countertops too!

Not just countertops, contact paper has so many other uses!! Take a look at everything you need know about how to decorate with contact paper.

Take a look at the other projects I did for this rental bathroom makeover for under $100. The best part is everything is temporary and removable – even this towel shelf and hook!

The only 2 tiny holes that I had to make were to mount this DIY Wood valence.