![China Cabinet Makeover](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-19.png)
How to Makeover a China Cabinet Using Wallpaper
Wallpapering a China Cabinet
For over twenty years I have had the china cabinet I have now. During that whole time I displayed the china I had received as wedding gifts. Over time I realized that the china wasn’t getting used, plus I started feeling like it was time for a change. So for this china cabinet makeover, I decided to pack all of it away. To update the look and add a little flare, I also wanted to add some wallpaper to the back of it.
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The Before:
![The china cabinet before the makeover](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-12.png)
![the before](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabineet-makeover-11.png)
![Emptying out the china cabinet to make it over.](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-10.png)
After searching, I decided on a black and white patterned peel and stick wallpaper from the Nesting with Grace collection from Tempaper.
For this project, the surface I wanted to wallpaper was approximately 42×60 inches. One roll was the perfect amount, even with some extra to work with.
This was my first time wallpapering anything! Overall it was fairly easy, but it did require some patience. I’ll share what I learned along the way and from researching a bit beforehand.
How do I wallpaper a cabinet?
Materials
![The tools you'll need to wallpaper the china cabinet.](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover.png)
- peel and stick wallpaper
- squeegee
- razor blade
- scissors
Instructions
- With this cabinet, we were able to remove the shelves.
- Wipe down the area.
![The china cabinet ready for wallpaper](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-9.png)
![Applying the wallpaper](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-13-1.png)
3. You are going to start at the top and peel as you go. When you begin, overlap at the top and even the sides a bit to make sure you have full coverage. You will easily trim it off with a razor blade later. Make sure the pattern is straight.
Tip: When you’re working up close with the wallpaper, don’t get tempted to make it perfect. Expect imperfections. Then step back and see how you don’t notice them at all!
![Peel and stick wallpaper](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-8.png)
4. Peel off the back as you go and apply the wallpaper. Use the squeegee to smooth it out. It seems to work best to work from the center out with the squeegee.
5. There will be bubbles and creases as you go. What’s great about peel and stick is that you can constantly pull it up and put it back and resmooth it until it’s to your liking. And you will!
6. With this cabinet, there were little ledges where the shelves would rest on. I just worked around these spots using the razorblade and squeegee.
Tip: When using the razorblade against straight edges, use it along with the squeegee. Have the squeegee move along the straight edge, guiding you with the razor blade.
7. When you get to the bottom, again leave an overlap. Trim off the excess with the scissors.
![Trimming the wallpaper](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-4.png)
8. Use the squeegee to make sure it is tight in the crease. Then trim the excess with the razorblade. Use the squeegee to help guide the razorblade across. Then peel off the excess. Do the same on the sides and top where needed. (Somehow on this edge it didn’t end up overlapping much on the side, I just went in tight. It just felt right, but it’s recommended to overlap. You may have to do what feels right as you go.)
![Excess wallpaper](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-5.png)
![Trim and peel off excess](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-7.png)
![Nice straight edge](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-6.png)
9. This repeated across the cabinet two more times. The hardest part was lining up the pattern from one to the next. Overall once it was done, again standing back you couldn’t see if something didn’t line up perfectly. Spots that do bother you can actually be easily patched with a piece of wallpaper cut to size. You can’t even tell where it’s done!
Tip: Remember that this wallpaper is very forgiving. You can even patch up mistakes and won’t be able to tell!
The After:
I’m thrilled with the results! This china cabinet makeover was a success. It really breathed new life into it. Such an easy fix and such a large transformation!
![The china cabinet makeover is complete!](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-19.png)
![The china cabinet makeover, after](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-18.png)
![Here's the completed look](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-17.png)
![The wallpaper transformed the china cabinet](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-2.png)
![The whole dining room looks better after the china cabinet makeover!](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-16.png)
![The china cabinet makeover](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-14.png)
![The After](https://cdn-0.lizzydesignsblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/china-cabinet-makeover-3.png)
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7 Comments
Allison
Beautiful makeover. I love the Black and White theme. So classic. You’re very talented.
Liz
I really appreciate that, thank you! The wallpaper added so much!
the gal
What a perfect idea! Thanks for sharing!
Liz
So glad you like it, thanks!!
Helen McKeough
Wow I might keep my gr-grandmother’s china cabinet now
Saw off the finials, get it painted, new hardware and I might even like it!
Liz
Oh awesome! Absolutely!
Susan Doyle
it looks good but the finished staging makes it into a kitchy catch all. it’s now a non purposeful in storage. maybe it’s just the temporary staging?….