If you’ve been following my YouTube channel, you’ll likely recognize my work table, or at least the top of it. It’s featured in most of my videos! Initially, the table was covered in a wild oak brown self-adhesive wallpaper, which I later switched to a Sheffield gray pearl oak about a year ago. But after a year of intensive use—especially with my mouse wearing down one area—it’s time for a refresh!
This time, I’ve chosen a beautiful Nordic elm self-adhesive wallpaper to give the table a fresh look. I’ll show you how to refurbish your table using self-adhesive wallpaper, with tips to ensure a smooth, bubble-free finish.
For this project you will need:
- a roll of self-adhesive wallpaper
- a cutter
- a snap-blade knife
- scissors
- smoothing tool
- regular sewing needle
Step 1: Prepare the Surface
Before applying the new wallpaper, it’s essential to thoroughly clean the table. I start by wiping it down with disinfectant wipes to remove dirt and grease. If this is your first time applying wallpaper, sand any bumps or fill in holes for a smooth surface. Also, make sure to clean off any dust before starting.
Once the surface is clean, I dry it with a paper towel. Ensuring the surface is completely dry is critical for proper adhesion.
Step 2: Measure and Cut the Wallpaper
I ordered my wallpaper online, which arrived well-packed in a cardboard tube. The roll was 90cm x 2.1m—perfect to fully cover my table. After unpacking it, I aligned the wood pattern with the length of the table and measured it to cover the top edges and also to stick a little under the table, leaving extra room for error. Then I flipped it and I cut it following the trim guide printed on the back. I turned it again and measured the width of the table, leaving again a generous margin, and I cut using the trim guide on the back.
Tip: Always cut a larger piece than you need. This gives you more flexibility when applying the wallpaper. I used the handy trim guide on the back to cut the wallpaper to size.
Step 3: Applying the Wallpaper
Now for the fun (and a bit nerve-wracking) part—applying the wallpaper! I start by peeling back about 20–30 cm of the paper backing. It’s crucial to stick the first part straight, as it will guide the rest of the application. If needed, you can peel and restick a corner until you get it right. The adhesive doesn’t set immediately, so take your time.
It’s easier with narrower wallpapers, but a wider wallpaper like this one might be a little challenging in the beginning and you might not get it right from the first try. The goal now it is to stick it to the table without any wrinkles, even if you get a few air bubbles.
Once I’m happy with the alignment, I continue peeling the backing and smoothing the wallpaper onto the table, using both my hands and a smoothing tool. Make sure to push the wallpaper down slowly, smoothing out air bubbles as you go. Continue until you remove all the paper backing.
Step 4: Removing Air Bubbles
Even with careful application, air bubbles can still happen. Don’t worry! Use your smoothing tool and work in the opposite direction of the wood print to push bubbles toward the edges. Small bubbles can be fixed later, so focus on eliminating the larger ones for now.
Step 5: Finishing the Edges
If the surface is smooth and doesn’t have any wrinkles, we can continue to glue the edges. Next, I trim the corners diagonally with a snap-blade knife and press the wallpaper down around the table’s edges, overlapping slightly the other edge. After cutting off any excess vinyl, I smooth the wallpaper underneath the table. I don’t care much if the edge is not straight under the table, so I didn’t struggle much with this part. But you can try to cut a straighter line for this part if the back of the table matters much to you.
Now for the other edge, I cut the excess vinyl and stick the vinyl on the side, then under the table. I continue like this until I stick all of the edges.
Tip: If the corners are too sharp, use a hairdryer to soften the vinyl, then smooth it down with your fingers for a cleaner finish.
Step 6: Final Touches
Inspect the surface for any remaining small air bubbles. You can easily remove these by pricking them with a sewing needle and gently pressing the air out with your fingers.
Now, my table looks refreshed and ready for another year of heavy use!
Why Use Self-Adhesive Wallpaper?
Self-adhesive wallpaper is a fantastic way to breathe new life into your furniture. Whether it’s a table, nightstand, or cabinet, this DIY method is budget-friendly and easy to do. Plus, you can easily change it up whenever you’re ready for a new look!
I hope you found this video article helpful or inspiring for your future projects. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and TikTok to get our latest handmade and homemade news!
I bought my tools and wallpaper here:
- wallpaper kit (smoothing tool and snap-blade knife): https://www.emag.ro/kit-montaj-autocolant-d-c-fix-racleta-si-cutter-399-6016/pd/DBM07FBBM/
- Nordic elm self-adhesive wallpaper: https://www.emag.ro/autocolant-d-c-fix-ulm-nordic-90cmx2-1m-346-5379/pd/DTZBF1BBM/