{"id":26612,"date":"2017-01-04T02:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-01-04T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ourpeacefulplanet.com?p=26612&preview=true&preview_id=26612"},"modified":"2025-03-16T03:21:46","modified_gmt":"2025-03-16T03:21:46","slug":"granite-contact-paper-countertop-makeover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/craftyourhappiness.com\/2017\/01\/04\/granite-contact-paper-countertop-makeover\/","title":{"rendered":"How to do a Sturdy & Stunning Granite Contact Paper Countertop Makeover"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Transform\"\"<\/p>\n

NOTICE: One year update at the bottom of this post. Please read<\/a> before starting!
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Doing a contact paper countertop makeover has been a popular way to inexpensively cover up an old ugly countertop. Granite contact paper is typically used as it resembles a real granite countertop\u00a0 and while if done well it looks awesome, this comes with a variety of inherent problems. Well, we’re going to show you how to fix almost all of them on one fell swoop! And if your looking for other great inexpensive fix-up ideas check out our Frugal DIY Bedroom Makeover Ideas<\/a> and our Classy Living Room Ideas on a Budget<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We also did a full makeover on our master bathroom complete with recovering the counter with contact paper.\u00a0 <\/strong>
\nMake sure you check that out too>>>>>> Magical Dark Sea Bathroom Makeover<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

PROBLEMS WITH A CONTACT PAPER COUNTERTOP<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Seams<\/strong>. There’s no way around having seams and even with pattern matching they tend to show. With granite paper you can’t match patterns and they show up more. Accept it.<\/li>\n
  2. Water can get under the seams.<\/strong>\u00a0 If it does, they will start to peel up.<\/li>\n
  3. It’s easily damaged because, well, it’s paper.<\/strong> In a kitchen you can’t cut on it or put anything hot on it. In the bath room no curling irons can touch it.<\/li>\n
  4. Edges peel up.<\/strong> If your countertop has a straight edge as the one shown below, the paper will peel away easily where it meets together when anyone rubs against it.<\/li>\n
  5. Be careful.<\/strong> You just have to be careful because it can be nicked with anything sharp or discolored easily.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Those are some pretty big issues considering all the work you go through to put the stuff on. And it does take a good bit of work.\u00a0 But we found a way to make it more sturdy and long lasting. You still can’t set extremely hot things on it or cut on it but water and peeling should not be an issue which is the biggest problem in a bathroom.<\/p>\n

    NOTE<\/strong>: This is best done in bathrooms mainly because you can’t cut or place hot things on it even with our method. However, if you’re really careful in your kitchen, go for it!<\/p>\n

    \"\"How To Make a Contact Paper Countertop Last<\/h1>\n

    \"\"<\/strong>Water Based Polyurethane Gloss Finish.\u00a0<\/strong> Because it’s water based it doesn’t harm the contact paper.\u00a0 It seals over the seams and edges so water cannot get in. It protects the surface and all your hard work. The only type I found is linked below and made by Rust-Oleum. A little goes a long way. It’s a bit pricey but we use it for all types of things such as my post on how to build a Large Surface Home Office Desk<\/a>.\u00a0 Buying it in the two quart package can save you almost $15.\u00a0\u00a0 This is of course optional.<\/strong> You can\u00a0 just treat your contact paper with great care. But if you have kids or just don’t want to worry about being extra careful you don’t have to use it.\u00a0 But if you have edges of your counter like mine, I’d still suggest gluing them somehow as they will find a way to peel just from leaning against them.<\/p>\n

    FYI This does make it more of a permanent thing. You cannot easily remove the paper later. You would have to do some light sanding to get through the gloss.<\/p>\n

    \"\"Contact Paper Countertop Supplies<\/h1>\n

    NOTE: Once companies realized people were using granite contact paper to cover counters they raised the price of that type so its a bit more costly. Buy enough to cover your counter. If you’re\u00a0 using a pattern that you can match you’ll need more.\u00a0 One roll “barely” did my small countertop.<\/p>\n