How to Makeover an IKEA Cabinet

So… it's no secret that I love IKEA!  Seriously….my house is 90% IKEA furniture. One of my favorite IKEA pieces in my home is this white cabinet (no longer available) in my bedroom. Since the walls in my room are off-white, the cabinet tends to blend in so I wanted to add something to make it POP!

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After creating my painted tray, I was looking for more ways to incorporate this chevron shelf paper in my home.  My bedroom colors include aqua/teal, coral, and gold details (like my polka dot knobs). I knew the aqua chevron would work perfectly in my room so I decided to add it to the back of my cabinet.

I started this project by measuring the back of the cabinet. I couldn't find my tape measure so I ended up using a piece of ribbon to measure the distance and measured the paper using the grid on the back. Before applying the paper to the back of the cabinet, I removed all of the wooden shelves.

When I started peeling the backing off of the shelf paper, I pulled too much off at once and it was a big sticky mess!  After finishing the first section, I started only peeling off a small amount of the backing away from the top while smoothing the paper onto the cabinet.

I continued this process of measuring and applying the shelf paper until the entire back of the cabinet was covered.

After finishing with the shelf paper, I began my favorite part--filling the shelves!  I love how the chevron paper looks with my floral scarves that are housed in white wicker baskets.

The best part about this project? It was cheap and simple! I spent $4 on a 2-pack of shelf paper (I still have a whole roll left) and the project was complete in less than an hour.

Is it perfect? No. Are there bubbles in the paper? Yes. However I've made my peace with the bubbles in the paper and I'm okay with them. What I love about using shelf paper is that it's easily removable so when I get tired of chevron, I can take it off and start all over again!

The best part about this project? It was cheap and simple! I spent $4 on a 2-pack of shelf paper (I still have a whole roll left) and the project was complete in less than an hour.

In addition to the chevron print, I also got some shelf paper in a pink quatrefoil print which I plan on using to line the wooden drawers in my dresser.  I'll share the final pics when I finish that project. Have you used shelf paper in any of your home projects?  If so, I'd love to hear about it!

54 Comments

  1. I bought it on clearance at Meijer! But amazon does sell the brand too they are just currently sold out of the chevron print 🙁 The paper is by The Macbeth Collection--here's the company website http://www.themacbethcollection.com/shop.shtml and the amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Self-Adhesive-Shelf-Liner-Promotion/dp/B009SB49GS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top/183-6908150-4081003. I've seen other companies sell a similar version too! I love it! Thanks for stopping by! Erica

  2. Wow!! What a difference! I wish I had access to some of that amazing contact paper... haven't seen anything like it in Canada. Great makeover!!
    Krista

  3. Thanks Krista! I just happened to stumble upon it one day at a local grocery store, they sell it on Amazon but it's out of stock right now. Have a great weekend!

    Erica

  4. Hey, have you tried using a push pin to prick a tiny hole in each air bubble and then mashing the air out? I did this with wall paper and it worked great.

  5. It looks great! Someday I'll have to get around to doing something like that with all my billy shelves....

  6. What a FUN transformation! I love how the chevron paper really makes it pop! I bought a similar shelf paper recently but have been waiting for the perfect project to use it...I'd love to do something like yours that has it on display all the time rather than hiding at the bottom of a drawer! I popped over from Domestic Superhero--thanks for sharing!

    ~Abby =)

  7. I recently picked up a very similar shelf paper at TJ Maxx! So try there or Home Goods, which is the same chain!

    ~Abby =)

  8. Thanks Abby! I agree having it on the drawers is fun but I much prefer having it out where I can see it all the time.

    Erica

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