Transform Rental Cabinets With Contact Paper When Painting Isn't an Option

UpdatedSep 19, 2023 10:03 AM EDT

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A complete kitchen demolition isn't the only path to a space that feels distinctly yours—nor does it need to drain your budget. In our series The No-Reno Kitchen, we showcase dramatic transformations achieved through the strategic use of paint, fixture swaps, and resourceful effort.

Renters with dated wood cabinets once had little recourse—you were simply stuck with the existing finish. That era is over. Madeline Scalzi, a New York–based creative and content creator, discovered a nonpermanent workaround for landlord restrictions. “I had always wanted blue cabinets, but painting was out of the question,” says Scalzi. Having seen the trend of resurfacing old countertops with removable vinyl, she had a breakthrough: Why not apply contact paper directly to cabinet doors?

The DIY process involved some trial and error—particularly navigating the decorative grooves on the door fronts—but after tackling 10 cabinets with considerable patience, Scalzi refined her technique. Nearly a year later, the finish remains in excellent condition. Some minor sagging has appeared behind the stovetop where heat is concentrated, though a quick touch-up with a hair dryer resolves it effortlessly. For an investment of under $15 and a single weekend, here's how to recreate this rental-friendly kitchen transformation.

A smooth, clean foundation is essential before application. Begin by removing each cabinet door from its hinges—store the hardware somewhere memorable—and clean the surface thoroughly. A standard all-purpose cleaner works well; the goal is to eliminate all dust and residue for optimal adhesion.

Carefully measure each cabinet front and cut a rectangle approximately one inch larger on all sides. Working on one door at a time prevents confusion about which piece of contact paper corresponds to each surface.

Applying from the bottom of the cabinet upward—smoothing away from your body—provides the greatest control and gives air bubbles a clear path to escape. Remove the backing from your first sheet and gently position it atop the coordinating door, aligning the corners. Using the smoothing tool, press the contact paper firmly onto the surface to activate the adhesive, working in long upward and outward strokes.

Pro Tip: Apply Gentle Heat

If the contact paper feels rigid or difficult to lay flat, apply gentle heat from a hair dryer to increase its flexibility—the warmth softens the adhesive backing for easier positioning. Should difficulties persist, simply peel back and reapply without hesitation.

Cabinet doors with recessed or carved panels require additional finesse—the contact paper won't naturally conform to the contours without intervention. Using a precision knife, cut a slit along the center of each of the panel's four sides. Then smooth the edges of each slit toward one another with your fingers, allowing the paper to mold into the curves rather than bridging over them. The edges won't meet perfectly, but the gaps will be addressed in the next step.

“Don't hesitate to patchwork the seams,” Scalzi emphasizes. “The final result will look seamless.” Measure each gap and cut thin strips of contact paper—think fettuccine width—slightly oversized. For arched panels, multiple narrower strips may be needed to follow the curve cleanly. Apply each strip over the gaps, smoothing from center to edges to prevent air bubbles from forming beneath.

Cut a piece approximately one inch larger than the frame on all sides. Begin application where the cabinet meets the countertop and smooth downward using the foam-edged tool. Fold the excess contact paper inward toward the cabinet interior for complete, seamless coverage.

Flip each completed door face-down and run the precision knife along the outer edges to remove any overhanging material. Clean adhesive residue from the blade with dish soap between doors, then repeat the process for each remaining cabinet front.

This story was originally published in October 2021. It has since been updated.

Kate McGregor covers everything related to the home, from design inspiration to IKEA hacks. She has been the market assistant at ELLE Decor where she focused on curating product for the print magazine’s market pages.

Belle is the in-house photographer and associate photo editor for Domino, capturing everything from home tours to gift guides, plus the occasional how-to project. She joined the photo team as an intern in 2018 and was brought on full time in January 2021.

Julia Stevens is a Domino contributing editor. Basically, she’s a professional online shopper. She started at Domino as an intern and spent seven years in the style department curating products for our gift guides, trend roundups, and product reviews and on set styling the beautiful homes we get to share. Off hours, you can find her scouting New York’s newest design shops and restyling hershelves.

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