Revamp Your Outdated Kitchen on a Dime With These Peel-and-Stick Countertops
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
There are a lot of cool things out there that make us wonder — do they really work? In our I Tried It series, we set out to use them in the real world and have determined that, in fact, they really do.
The Product on Trial
Very Berry Sticker Peel and Stick Marble Vinyl Contact Paper
The Tester
Brandon Carte, senior technology editor and new homeowner who is willing to do temporary design fixes in the name of savings.
The Brief
Countertops play a critical role in every kitchen. You likely use them each day for meal preparation or frequently gather around them with loved ones if you have a kitchen island. Chances are they’re a focal point in your kitchen. That’s the case for me, since my kitchen is the first room guests see as they walk past my small entryway.
As much as I’d love to upgrade my ugly and outdated brown Formica countertops, I don’t have the budget. In case you were unaware, quartz and granite countertops can cost between $50 and $230 per square foot, with installation, depending on the grades of the material and your location.
If you’re in a similar boat and looking to breathe new life into your kitchen, take comfort from my experience. I found a way to transform my kitchen on the cheap, and my countertops now look like something out of a home décor magazine.
After my colleague installed peel-and-stick flooring to make her entryway stand out, I decided to do something similar with my counters. I upgraded by covering them with a peel-and-stick vinyl contact paper that resembles white marble. The look is timeless, and I’m pleased with how beautiful and realistic the marble paper I chose is.
Peel-and-Stick Marble Vinyl Contact Paper
amazon.com
$27.40
amazon.comIt’s from a Delaware-based company called Very Berry Sticker. VBS manufactures all sorts of finishes and textures, including metallics, woods, brick, and concrete. As for its best-selling marble contact paper, it comes in a deep gray or white gray color with either a matte or glossy finish.
Since I knew I’d be spending a couple of hours affixing the vinyl stickers to my laminate countertops and that it will likely be a year until I can properly update my counters, I did several hours’ worth of research before pulling the trigger on the Very Berry Stickers.
Why I Went With the ‘Very Berry’
The vinyl contact paper checked every box: It’s reasonably priced and has a successful track record among customers (even those that left it installed long-term), and I was especially impressed by VBS’s durability claims. The paper is waterproof, can withstand temperatures of up to 170 degrees Fahrenheit, and has a triple-layer film that protects it from stains.
What sold me on the matte white gray vinyl paper from VBS was this Amazon review from a buyer who had used it for 15 months. They said that they tried glossy peel-and-stick vinyl paper from a few competing brands, and those all looked much less realistic than the Very Berry Paper.
The reviewer also called out its resistance to heat. “Even when I was too lazy to use a trivet, the product never warped or melted,” they added.
What It’s Been Like Living With Peel-and-Stick Countertops
My counters have been covered with the Very Berry vinyl stickers for 5 months now, and I have very few complaints. The only problem (and it’s my own fault) is that I accidentally dropped a steak knife while unloading my dishwasher, and it left a tiny puncture mark in the paper.
I’ve spilled red wine, salsa, hot sauce, ketchup, sticky queso, marinades, you name it, on the counters, and they’ve wiped clean every time with no stains left behind. The adhesive from the sticker isn’t peeling anywhere—even on the edges and around my sink. And the vinyl hasn’t scratched, either.
Installation Frustrations
Getting the paper stuck to the counter was the worst thing about the product. It wasn’t especially difficult, but it does require a lot of patience and can be frustrating when the paper sticks to itself accidentally, you don’t lay the vinyl sticker perfectly flat, or you get a stubborn air bubble that won’t smooth out.
Several Amazon reviewers recommended using a hair dryer to heat up the vinyl and make it easier to stretch out to prevent wrinkles. I tried that at the start of my installation, but it didn’t really make much of a difference.
However, I strongly recommend investing in an X-Acto knife and a wallpaper smoother. The X-Acto knife helped puncture tiny holes to fix the occasional air bubble, and the wallpaper tool ensured everything was smooth and flat. If you’re confused or nervous about installing around corners and edges, this YouTube video was a great primer.
You’ll also want to measure your space beforehand so you know how many rolls to purchase. VBS sells three rolls of different sizes and a 24x78-inch twin-pack. (Be safe and buy a little extra in case you mess up.)
It cost me 2 hours of my Saturday and under $100 to install my “marble” counters— less of a commitment than paying as much as $100 a square foot for the real thing.
Closing Argument
If you’re longing for a kitchen remodel but don’t have the budget for new countertops, the Very Berry peel-and-stick vinyl marble contact paper is a durable and highly convincing temporary fix. It may be a little bit of a pain to install, but that’s well worth the stress given its affordability, durability, and how real it looks.
You Might Also Like
