14 Not-Tacky Ways to Use Contact Paper

You want to change the look of your space and add a bit of personality to your home, but you're unsure about what you want. Or, maybe you rent and are limited in what you can change. Enter, contact paper. From pretty patterns to nature designs, wood grains and even paper that looks like tile, there are a lot of options to choose from. Here are 14 ways to use contact paper in your home. Note: Always be sure you choose removable contact paper on walls, cabinets, etc., if your landlord hasn't approved your project.

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Wall design Contact Paper
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Create a Feature Wall

If you’re looking to create a feature wall, contact paper is a good option if you’re not sure about how long you’ll like the design. Let one of these 15 stunning accent wall designs help you get inspired to try something different.

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Kitchen Weekly Menu Planner
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Weekly Menu Planner

Put light, solid-color contact paper inside an empty frame. When you’re finished, hang it in your kitchen. Use a washable marker to write on the frame to create a weekly meal planner, or use the board to make a grocery list.

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Chalkboard Table Runner
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Chalkboard Table Runner

Having a potluck? Use chalkboard contact paper to make a table runner and then label all the dishes.

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Fake an Expensive Marble Countertop
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Fake an Expensive Countertop

With contact paper, you can fake a pricey kitchen countertop. Like the idea of marble but can’t afford to upgrade? Find a tile contact paper that looks like marble and cover your kitchen counters.

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nursery Wall Decals
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Wall Decals

Contact paper can help you create a nursery on a budget. Try using contact paper to create a wall mural or cut out different designs or shapes for wall decals.

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staircase contact paper design
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Give Stairs a New Look

Give your stairs a new look with patterned contact paper. Just cut the paper to fit the stair risers for a fresh design.

Have squeaky stairs? You can fix them, even if you have carpeting.

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dog pet placemat food
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Make a Pet Placemat

Here’s a quick project to show your pet some love. Take a piece of cardboard and cover it with contact paper to make a pet placemat that’s super easy to wipe clean.

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fake tile backsplash contact paper
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Fake a Tile Backsplash

It can be difficult to keep up with kitchen trends. If you’re unsure that trendy design will look good in your kitchen, give it a try first with tile contact paper. From subway tile to mosaics, tile contact paper comes in patterns that mimic the look of tile.

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bathroom window film privacy
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Create Some Privacy

Need a little more privacy in the bathroom? Contact paper comes in a opaque film variety that when placed on windows makes it look like frosted glass.

Need privacy elsewhere in your home? Here’s a privacy screen you can make from salvaged doors.

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Personalize Flower Pots and Vases
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Personalize Flower Pots and Vases

Cut some shapes out of contact paper and use them to decorate flower pots and vases. This is a lot less messy than paint, so it’s a great project to do with small children. (Keep them away from the scissors, of course.)

If you have old pots that are cracked or broken, try using them in a fairy garden.

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Make Spice Labels
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Make Spice Labels

Never mix up your chili powder with smoked paprika again. Use contact paper to create spice jar labels and then make a DIY spice rack for your kitchen.

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Magnetic Message Board
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Make a Magnetic Message Board

Try covering a metal baking sheet with patterned contact paper, add some magnets and then use it to organize reminders. Use the board as part of your home’s message center.

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contact paper drawer liner
Family Handyman

Line Drawers and Shelves

Use contact paper to line your kitchen drawers and cabinet shelves. You can also use a fun pattern on the back of bookshelves.

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chalkboard wall
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Make a Chalkboard Wall

Chalkboard surfaces are everywhere! Grab some rolls of chalkboard contact paper and use it for a wall in your child’s bedroom, or on a wall in your kitchen or dining room.

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.