When on the hunt for a replacement for the engineered wood dresser I was using as a credenza, I lucked out and found a pair of 1960s Bassett dressers for $50 on Craigslist. Though they were in need of some TLC, I just knew with a little elbow grease they could be a wonderful addition to my eclectic living room. Using Target's Magic Cover Self Adhesive Liner, I was able to give these dirty old dresser drawers a new lease on life.
What You Need
Materials
2 rolls of Magic Cover Self Adhesive Liner
Tools
Scissors
Pencil
Measuring tape
Instructions
1. Notice the faux-wood contact paper used to line drawers possibly decades ago — ugly, dirty, and bubbling.
2. Peel off contact paper. Notice and despise sticky residue left behind. Remark to self that drawer is already looking better!
3. Cut template based on measurements of drawer. Cut out corners to allow one-piece construction, thus eliminating pesky seams that might otherwise peel back and catch on future contents of drawer.
4. Measure depth of drawer bottom and mark the center on the liner paper (complicated because drawer fronts are curved).
5. Match center of drawer front to center mark on liner paper. Trace curve of drawer front onto paper.
6. Cut ½ inch tabs of varying depth across front of paper following the traced curve.
7. Fold down liner paper to make crisp creases that will sit firmly in drawer with no bubbled corners.
8. Set paper into drawer and peel off backing to adhere to drawer. Curse repeatedly until developing a feel for the process. Be thankful there is a learning curve — step 8 will be the longest step on Drawer One and the shortest step on Drawer Nine!
9. Smooth out any visible air bubbles using a straight edge like a plastic pot scraper or ruler.
10. Measure height of drawer front and cut final piece of liner paper.
11. Roll on final piece of liner covering up tabs that created the curve.
12. Reflect on beauty of new liner — clean, bright, and not bubbling. Fortify with beverage of choice before starting on the next drawer!
In the 18 months since I actually completed this project, the drawer liners have stayed fresh, unwrinkled, and lovely — I am definitely a fan of this adhesive paper from Target!
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Images: Colleen Quinn
Originally published on 07.18.2008 – CQ
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Where did you get that contact paper?
I was just going to ask where they got that contact paper. I love it!
It's from Target!
I just used that contact paper to cover the inside of my boring, white medicine cabinet. I love it so much, I'm going to frame it and hang it in the living room.
I just scored a craigslist find with icky interior drawers, so this is a big help. I was also going to ask where the contact paper was from, but it looks like we've gotten an answer to that.
Congrats on the CL find and the beautiful new drawer liners!
Target? Really? I can't find it there online. Maybe it's online in the store.
Lurker2209, I agree I can't find it online. Can anyone find the link? If not, did you buy it there recently? It is so beautiful!
Its actually better to use wrapping paper or wallpaper remnants to line drawers. Bugs cant get into the drawers and they eat the glue from the contact paper and lay eggs under it. Larvae apparently love glue. So contact paper- it is a bad idea.
Thanks everyone!
The paper is from Target and I only bought it a few weeks ago (though I can't find it online either). It is Magic Cover Self Adhesive Liner in Potpourri. It is much less sticky than the contact paper I remember from my past- I was able to easily peel up and reposition when necessary before the final smoothing rub. The paper looks even better in person- a lovely spring green that didn't turn out great in the pictures. Relining the drawers really made a difference to my CL find.
Colleen
I just found a digital Yamaha piano... wahoo!
that's seriously cute
Great restoration!
I used the same contact paper to line my old, desperately in need of refinishing white metal cabinets under the sink in my kitchen back in November. Whereas these cabinets were a source of shame initially, they now make me happy whenever I open them.
I lined my kitchen cabinets with that contact paper too (they were totally gross when I moved in). Love it!
How did you get the paper to stick to the wood. I tried putting contact paper in a dresser I got from thrift store, but it wouldn't stick to the not so nice wood. I ended up putting white colored duct tape inside ... nothing else would stick! Duct tape to the rescue!!!!
I have the EXACT same dresser, I got it at the Goodwill Outlet, and painted it last month. Check it out!
http://adventuresindressmaking.blogspot.com/2010/02/before-and-after-60s-curve-front.html
great project. I'm going to do this to a credenza I got on Kiji. Thanks
Can I tell you how excited I am that Target still carries this paper 2 1/2 years later? I ran out this morning to get it for my kitchen drawers. So thanks, Colleen!
Will this method work on things that do not come from craigslist?