How to Add Wallpaper to the Back of a Cabinet: Easy Step-by-Step Makeover

# Overview This is a straightforward, low-cost way to refresh a cabinet using blue-and-white peel-and-stick wallpaper. The change is visual and fast: clean the interior, measure carefully, apply the paper, smooth, and trim. The method works on thrift-store hutches or built-ins and needs only basic tools.

# Before you start

If your cabinet has removable shelves, take them out. That lets you cover the entire back with a single piece of wallpaper. If shelves are painted in or fixed, you will install separate pieces for each shelf opening.

# Tools and materials

• Peel-and-stick wallpaper (pattern chosen to your taste)
• Measuring tape
• Straightedge or ruler
• Sharp utility knife with replacement blades
• Smoothing tool or stiff card (a library card works)
• Cleaning cloth and a mild cleaner
• Optional: small level to check pattern alignment

# Step-by-step installation

1. 1Measure each section. Older furniture is often not perfectly square, so measure the height and width of every opening rather than assuming uniformity. Add about 1/2 inch to each side when cutting so you have margin for trimming.

1. 1Test-fit the piece inside the cabinet. Place the cut piece where it will go and check that the pattern lines up and the paper fully covers the section.

1. 1Trim excess. Hold a straightedge at the cabinet edge and trim the excess with a utility knife, going slowly to avoid tearing. Repeat the measure-cut-apply-trim sequence for each section, checking pattern alignment across sections.

# Troubleshooting and practical tips

• If shelves are fixed, treat each shelf bay as an individual panel and be prepared to match repeating patterns across panels.
• If the wallpaper has repeating motifs, check alignment before cutting each piece.

• A simple library card works nearly as well as a purchased smoothing tool.

# Finishing touches

This method is low-risk and reversible compared with structural refinish work. It's an effective way to make the interior of a cabinet pop and coordinate with a new room design with minimal expense and basic tools.