A quick and simple tutorial for how to transform furniture to look like marble with marble look contact paper.
Once upon a time, there was this magical place called the IKEA As-Is section…
You know where this story is going, right? Haha!
Last week, I trekked it to IKEA for a couple of items for the kitchen refresh, but it’s practically a sin to check out before stopping in to the As-Is section. (I have a slight addiction to this place.)
And there was this one little coffee table (the Vittsjo, it’s called) hidden amongst the reject boxes for 50% off that I couldn’t pass up. Because as soon as I saw it, an idea popped into my head.
It was definitely the easiest little furniture makeover ever that I finished in record time for Trash to Treasure Tuesday. (You can check out the rest of the T2T girls’ thrifty makeovers at the bottom of this post, or you can see past ones here.)
I’d seen these pricey designer marble-topped metal coffee tables lately, and I thought why not try out a knock-off version with this $40 as-is glass one? Maybe since this one was sort of new, it doesn’t really count as thrifty, but I won’t tell if you won’t.
Supplies Used: (Some affiliate links are provided below.)
- Marble printed contact paper
- X-acto knife and/or scissors
- Wallpaper smoother (or even just an old credit card can do the trick)
1. I took the glass top out of the coffee table first and laid it on the floor. And then rolled out the marble printed contact paper and trimmed it to the length I needed for the entire glass top.
2. Starting at one end of the table top, I separated an inch width of the contact paper from its waxy paper backing, lined it up against the glass edge, and pressed it into place, smoothing out any air bubbles.
3. Then, I gradually worked inch by inch removing the waxy paper backing from the contact paper and smoothed out more bubbles with the wallpaper smoother.
4. Once I had the entire sheet of contact paper pressed onto the tabletop and smoothed out, I used the tip of the X-acto knife to poke holes in any remaining air bubbles and pressed them out.
5. To finish, I just wrapped the excess contact paper around the edges like a present and placed it back into the coffee table.
The entire project took all of 10 minutes. Woot! I can’t believe how great it looks!
I decided to leave the bottom board out to give it the clean lines to mimic the high-end version, but it could work either way.
It looks so much like this $600 coffee table from West Elm, but it cost me less than $50 for contact paper and all. As long as no one tries to sit on it, no one will know, right?
Even the glossiness of the contact paper makes it feel like cool, smooth marble.
I really doubt that I’ll hang onto it since glass coffee tables and little kids don’t mix all that well, so I’ll probably end up selling it or giving it to a friend. But I’m so glad I got to have some fun with this one.
Oh, and if you hadn’t noticed, we’ve been working on a couple of small changes in the living room, which you’ll see more of tomorrow. 😉
I’m definitely hanging onto this marble paper idea for future reference though. I’d be dying to use this stuff on a laundry room countertop if I actually had a laundry room countertop.
You can check out the rest of my Trash to Treasure blogger friends’ transformations for the month below too:
Clockwise from top left:
Prodigal Pieces | Confessions of a Serial DIYer | Girl in the Garage | Artsy Chicks Rule
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
June 12, 2018 at 6:31 amSweet save and super cute redo, Lauren! I have that paper in my stash and use it often too. Woot!
Becky says
June 12, 2018 at 8:50 amWow, the results are SO MUCH MORE than the ingredient list! : ) Beautiful!!!
Nina Singh says
June 12, 2018 at 9:15 amLauren
This is brilliant!
Is the bottom dark shelve of the table removable.Your finished image looks so much batter without the bottom shelve.
Nina
Christy says
June 12, 2018 at 9:57 amDang, Girl…this looks so high end now! Nice job! XO
Nancy @ Artsy Chicks Rule says
June 12, 2018 at 11:39 amYou’d never know!! Love that marble contact paper! xo
Sarah says
June 12, 2018 at 12:25 pmWow, what a great idea! I am going to try this on my table like this.
Charlene says
June 12, 2018 at 12:34 pmI would have never thought of contact paper. This looks so high end! Contact paper used to be so tacky( pun intended). I am going to check this out!
Carol says
June 12, 2018 at 1:17 pmGreat job! I love reading about your projects and would love to do some of my own; trying to work up the courage?
The laundry room counter top idea really got my attention!! I have a laundry room with outdated oak colored cabinets and an ugly stark white countertop. I am thinking of painting cabinets. How would contact paper hold up on countertop?
Lauren says
June 12, 2018 at 1:50 pmOoh I think it would work REALLY well. It seems to be sturdy stuff, not thin like paper at all. I have seen it used on laundry room countertops before so I know it can be done.
Linda Biondo says
June 12, 2018 at 1:59 pmLove love love. Wish we were neighbors so I could make you an offer❤️
Mary C says
June 12, 2018 at 2:18 pmI spray painted the frame of mine gold then put the contact paper on the bottom board. I love your take on it! Looks just like the original!
Melissa says
June 12, 2018 at 4:21 pmI actually like your version better than the West Elm one. To me the design is better. Excellent repurpose. ?
Jamie says
June 12, 2018 at 4:30 pmIsn’t this the best? I did the same thing in my book with my Gold & Marble Side Table! It looks great!
Hugs, Jamie
Lauren says
June 12, 2018 at 5:47 pmOh yeah! I do remember seeing that! It was so cute! Thinking now I should bust out some gold spray paint on this one. 😉
sherri carter says
June 12, 2018 at 6:25 pmThis is Gorgeous, Lauren! I definitely need to try this “upgrade”. I just realized that you’re an NC girl, too. I live in Thomasville…I only get to Charlotte when it comes time to shop at IKEA! LOL
Tamara from BetterBuyerSavvySeller says
June 13, 2018 at 9:29 amI know I should be focused on the marble-look counter top, but part of what makes this so beautiful is the vignette of flowers, and candle with the backdrop and texture of the rug, throw pillows and blanket. This all makes me want to sit down and snuggle with a good book! This all looks very nice and ties in well with the existing furniture. I’ve seen the marble contact paper used on the shelves of for metal bookcases that were painted gold. Options!
Jamala says
June 13, 2018 at 11:03 amDefinitely a winning look!
Jen @ Girl in the Garage says
June 13, 2018 at 11:39 pmSuper cute redo, Lauren! I have been eyeing some marble contact paper myself, and this might be the push – it looks sooo good on your project!
Michele (Finch Rest) says
June 14, 2018 at 5:42 pmJanet – wondering something: could you have covered the bottom part instead of the glass one – and used the glass on the bottom? Are they interchangeable? Seems another idea to just put the glass one on the bottom.
Love this look – fabulous idea.
Maureen says
June 17, 2018 at 9:27 amI have a similar table, but the bottom shelf has brackets that it sits on and is attached to – would you just break those off?
Thanks!
Lauren says
June 17, 2018 at 9:31 amYes, you can just take a hacksaw to them or a circular saw with a metal cutting blade.
Mary says
June 17, 2018 at 10:38 amWhat a great idea…hopefully it will be an option for some of us out there, on our next trip to IKEA…I would also like to know where you purchased that amazing rug you have under that table. It is to die for…the colors the style…please tell me where you found this beauty. Thanks
Lauren says
June 18, 2018 at 11:17 amHi Mary, the rug is from esalerugs.com. All the information with links is in this post: https://www.blesserhouse.com/summer-living-room-tour/
It’s gorgeous and so soft!
Jeannie Wallace says
July 12, 2018 at 7:24 amI’m so glad I saw this makeover. I’ve wanted to do this to a table for so long but didn’t have the guts. I recently lost both legs above the knee and am unable to work so I’m hoping I can find some old furniture or cheap rejects like this one and am able to design my boredom away. Ned things fun to do to combat depression and you ladies are sure an inspiration. Thanks for sharing Lauren.
Lauren says
July 12, 2018 at 11:09 amThank you for the kind words. I am glad I can inspire you. I am sorry to hear about your recent loss. That has to be hard to adjust. I hope you find lots of thrifty finds to keep you busy. Often the hunt is half the fun. 🙂
Frances Batson says
March 12, 2019 at 9:25 amI used contact paper as a back splash behind the stove in a rental unit years and years ago and it is still doing great! Love the table.