Contact Paper Desk Makeover

desk makeover contact paper

Do you remember when I shared my original plan for my office/craft space and I showed you the bare bones picture of the room after I moved my four year old’s things to his big brother’s room?

IMG_9729

See that table there, all disassembled on the floor.  Yeah, that was what I was working with for my work surface in the new office.  I liked the clean lines but to be honest all that dark wood looked much heavier than I thought when I first created my inspiration mood board:

Screen Shot 2013-01-17 at 11.10.35 AM

My first inclination was to paint the legs white.  But hubby quickly vetoed that (could it be because I’ve already painted the dining room table twice in the past four months and still am not happy with it?)

Soooooo….I had an idea while at Walmart the other day-what about removable white contact paper? Ding-Ding-Ding! I had to give it a try!

This was a trial and error process.  I first tried to wrap the legs and tabletop base while the table was assembled and it turned out horrible.

contact paper Collage

I realized I need to be able to wrap the entire leg with one piece and try to hide the seam along the inner corner of the leg.  So the table was disassembled.

The key for me to get a good result was to lay my contact paper down on the floor with the backing removed then place the outer corner (most visible) of the leg in the middle and smooth from the center to the outer edges with a gift card to remove air bubbles.  I took my time and the result was exactly what I wanted!

contact paper table Collage

So, one more time, before:

before contact paper table

And after!!

desk makeover contact paper

I’m finishing up the final touches on the office this week and will share the full reveal with you as soon as possible-I’m so unbelievably excited by how it has turned out!

Would you try a temporary furniture makeover with contact paper?

 

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Comments

  1. Whaaaa? That’s TOO COOL Melissa! See I would have never, ever thought to do that (WalMart does not inspire me….) I think I need to go shopping with you one day. Your desk looks fabulous and your office is looking beautiful!
    Inspire Me Heather recently posted..project: measuringMy Profile

  2. Ann says:

    I love contact paper and it’s come a long way since it first came out! Awesome pics. I’ve shared everywhere!
    Ann recently posted..Orange Banana Breakfast CookiesMy Profile

  3. What a great idea!!! Amazing alternative to painting! I’m totally going to try this. Thanks for sharing!! :D
    Tiffany | offbeat + inspired recently posted..FindersKeepers Market Decor InspirationMy Profile

  4. Sheena says:

    I love it!! I have a desk that has the clear coat and I have been unsure about painting it. I’ll have to remember this idea.
    Sheena recently posted..First Bday InvitesMy Profile

  5. Beverly says:

    Wow! I have used contact paper but never thought of it to cover a desk. Great job! It looks wonderful.
    Bev
    Beverly recently posted..From Dumpster to Pretty LadyMy Profile

  6. ngnrdgrl says:

    It looks so much better with white legs and apron! It’s certainly a creative solution. How would you compare it to painting? If you had another table you wanted to do a makeover for, would you opt to this solution over painting? I’m going to pin this. Never know when this technique may come in handy in the future.
    ngnrdgrl recently posted..Third Times the Charm: Homemade PizzaMy Profile

    • Melissa says:

      Overall the process was faster than painting and gave me a non-permanant solution. If my hubby would have let me paint I probably would have gone that route but he really didn’t want me to so this was a great alternative! You can tell up close it’s contact paper so if you’re the type that would be bothered by that I’d stick to painting.

  7. Courtenay says:

    What?? Now where in your brilliant little mind did you get an idea like this? I’m staring my coffee table down right now and wondering…. hmm….
    Courtenay recently posted..My Living Room RefreshMy Profile

  8. Jacque says:

    Look at you! Love this idea!
    Jacque recently posted..January DIY Projects- A Month In ReviewMy Profile

  9. What a brilliant idea and it really turned out fantastic! It gives the table a whole new look and I think actually looks WAY better than painting them.
    Christina @ Floridays Mom recently posted..No Sew Drop Cloth Cushion CoversMy Profile

  10. How cool is that? I would’ve never thought of that. Awesome!
    Nancy
    Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule recently posted..“Treasure Hunting” and My Latest Haul of Thrifty Finds!!My Profile

  11. You are genius girl – that desk is AMAZING!!
    keri @ shaken together recently posted..14 ways to DIY your Valentine’s Day!My Profile

  12. Laura Beth says:

    That is amazing! I would have never thought of it, but it really is a perfect idea if you have an old piece that you are afraid to paint…but want a change! Way to go :o )
    Laura Beth recently posted..Valentine Treat BagsMy Profile

  13. I cannot believe you did that with contact paper…awesome!
    Jessica @ Mom 4 Real recently posted..Sneak Peek of Kate’s New Cottage BedroomMy Profile

  14. Crystal says:

    Way too cool!! I can’t believe you did it with contact paper. Simply Genius! Incredible!!

  15. Michele says:

    Very cool idea. Love the look! So cute how your kitty and toddler hung out for your makeover:)

  16. Mel says:

    That is a great idea it turned out really well.
    I used vinyl to do a dresser in the kids room – best thing is that if you want to change it up it’s really simple. I wanted sesame street which I knew they would outgrow so repainting in a year or two wasn’t really appealing and it’s so easy to clean feel free to check it out http://mellywoods5.blogspot.com.au/2012/09/jaw-dropping-draws.html
    Mel recently posted..Grab Your Controller – Gamer BookendsMy Profile

  17. Holy cow! I thought you had painted the legs and base! It looks great – great idea!
    Karen @ Dogs Don’t Eat Pizza recently posted..First You Gotta Have a PlanMy Profile

  18. Ruth says:

    This is an amazing idea. I would never thought it was contact paper. It looks amazing.
    Ruth
    Ruth recently posted..Burlap VotivesMy Profile

  19. Melissa- this idea is brillant! I never would have thought to use contact paper on furniture. you are awesome.
    laura@Top This Top That recently posted..The Easiest Burlap Heart TutorialMy Profile

  20. Jenn says:

    I would never have guessed you used contact paper! Sooo cool! I’d love it if you stopped by to link up at Thrifty to Nifty Thursdays at A Jennuine Life. http://www.ajennuinelife.com/2013/02/thrifty-to-nifty-thursdays-6.html

  21. Ira Morse says:

    Wow, what a cute table you have here Melissa! Yes, contact paper is an inexpensive and easy way to revamp furniture.
    Ira Morse recently posted..6 Tips for Purchasing Piece of Furniture OnlineMy Profile

  22. Megin says:

    Wow! I never would have thought… great idea!
    ~ Megin of VMG206

  23. Tia says:

    Neat! A nice alternative to painting.
    Tia recently posted..The Shape of InspirationMy Profile

  24. Wow this looks soo good! Who would have thought to use contact paper of all things! Come link up to Centerpiece Wed. and share this post with us.
    Karin

  25. Way to think outside the box! It turned out awesome! Just featured this in my DIY round-up from last week’s Monday Funday party!
    http://www.creativelylivingblog.com/2013/02/diy-round-up-features-from-monday-funday-5.html
    Thanks for linking!

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