Here’s a great idea for your next furniture makeover – layer on some wallpaper! This tutorial shows you how to decoupage a table with wallpaper – use this method on any piece of furniture to add unexpected interest and pattern!
Y’all, I can hardly believe it either, but I’m writing a new blog post! Go me!
Whew, it has been some hectic last few months. Getting the store ready to open, opening the store, getting into the new swing of things, grand opening celebration, 4th of July – it’s been a lot. A good lot though.
I’ve been wanting to write a new blog post for well over a month now, but time just wasn’t on my side. I’m starting to find my new routine though, so hopefully I’ll get this two job thing figured out.
Enough about me. How are you guys? Are you all making it through this pandemic ok? Have you adjusted to this weird new normal? We’re trying to stay positive, yet realistic here. Sometimes it’s hard, right?
Let’s chat about something bright and colorful today, shall we? Something that got a whole new lease on life….
This bird table! Doesn’t it just make you smile? I used some leftover wallpaper I had from our bright and colorful mudroom makeover. It was quite drab before…
I passed it by several times at a local thrift store months and months ago. Finally, it hit me one day as to what it could be, so I brought it on home!
How to Apply Wallpaper on Furniture
Supplies and Tools Needed
- Sanding Block and/or Sandpaper
- Tack Cloth
- Primer
- Paint (I used oil based paint on my table.)
- Paintbrush and Roller for Paint
- Wallpaper – This is the one I used.
- Wallpaper Adhesive
- Large Paintbrush for Applying Paste
- Wallpaper Smoothing Brush or Wallpaper Smoothing Tool
- Craft Knife
Step 1
If you’re painting your table or piece of furniture a different color than what it already is, you’ll need to do this first.
While my table was super heavy and solid, it had a laminate covering over much of the wood. Since laminate surfaces can be tricky to paint, I opted to go with an oil-based paint to get maximum adhesion and durability.
Lightly sand the surface of the table to scuff it up and give the paint something more to adhere to.
After sanding the piece of furniture, use a tack cloth to remove any sanding dust or dirt left behind.
Step 2
Apply primer to the surface. Let fully dry, then follow up with your paint.
I did two coats of Behr Oil Based Paint in Bit of Sugar. You’ll need to wait for each coat of paint to dry completely before applying a new coat. Oil based paint takes quite a while to fully dry; I give all my pieces a full 24 hours of dry time when I use oil based paint.
Step 3
After the final coat of paint is completely dry, you’re ready to apply your wallpaper.
Measure and cut one piece of wallpaper to fit the surface you are covering. Leave 4″ – 6″ of extra paper on each each of the wallpaper. Apply a good coat of wallpaper paste to the surface, then put the wallpaper in place. Use a smoothing tool to work any air bubbles out from under the paper. I used a smoothing brush for this since I was working with a rounded surface. If you’re applying the paper to a flat surface, you could also use a flexible smoothing tool.
Note: If you don’t have wallpaper paste, you could probably use Mod Podge as well.
If you need more than one strip of wallpaper to cover the surface, then cut another piece and apply the same way, being sure to match up the wallpaper pattern.
Step 4
Trim any excess paper from the edges using a sharp craft knife.
I love how this adds beautiful color and interest to an otherwise basic table. Wouldn’t this be fun in a breakfast nook or a sunroom?
While you can wallpaper just about any furniture surface, I wouldn’t recommend applying the wallpaper to a table top that gets a whole lot of use. If people sit and eat there or if it’s a coffee table that sees a lot of action, the wallpaper is probably going to get torn at some point. If you have a side table or some other piece of furniture that is more for decor than hard use, then you could definitely give it a whirl on the top.
If you don’t have any spare wallpaper on hand, then you could always use book pages, scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, etc.
This piece is for sale at Local Depot. It did hurt to put a price tag on it, but I really don’t have a place for it right now. 🙁 I hope someone else will love it as much as I do though.
Do you have any furniture pieces just begging for a touch of wallpaper?
Looking for more upcycled furniture makeover ideas?
Easy Furniture Painting Techniques – these still pack a punch though!
How to Paint a Plaid Pattern – it sounds hard, but it’s sooooo easy!
How to Make Furniture Glaze in Any Color – again, easy and colorful!
Want to come back to these wallpaper table instructions later? Just pin the image below!
Follow along on social for more furniture flips!
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