Welcome to our monthly thrift store upcycle blog hop! This month’s thrift store makeover started with this simple shelf that I almost didn’t buy. I needed a small kitchen shelf and this one was the perfect size but I wasn’t too excited about it being MDF instead of solid wood. I was concerned that it wouldn’t hold up to use in my kitchen. But I bought it anyway. It was cheap… around $3. And I had a plan to try something new!
The Rules:
- Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
- There’s no monthly theme.
- There’s no budget to stick to.
Meet the Hosts
Amanda | Domestically Creative
Angela | Simply Beautiful by Angela – Jeanie | Create and Babble
Molly | Just a Little Creativity – Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled
Marie | The Inspiration Vault – Michelle | Michelle James Designs
Shirley | Intelligent Domestications – Gail | Purple Hues and Me
Jennifer | Cookies Coffee and Crafts – Ann | Duct Tape and Denim
Michelle | Our Crafty Mom – Debra | Shoppe No. 5
Denise | My Thrifty House – Chelsea | Making Manzanita
Deborah | Salvage Sister & Mister – Habiba | Craftify My Love
Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!
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Supplies for my Kitchen Shelf Makeover
How to Update a Thrift Store Kitchen Shelf
This was a pretty basic makeover. The most important part was cleaning! I just used a regular spray cleaner to make sure all the dust and gunk was off the kitchen shelf.
Then I gave it a couple of coats of satin enamel paint. This is the same paint I used on my bathroom cabinets and a couple of jewelry cabinet makeovers. It has a hard finish when it dries and doesn’t need a topcoat.
But since I knew I’d be sitting things on top of this shelf I wanted an even tougher finish. So I ordered some faux stainless steel Con-Tact paper on Amazon.
This paper has grid marks on the back so it was easy to cut it straight. I first turned the shelf upside down on top of the back of the paper and marked enough to wrap around the sides.
Think “Christmas present wrapping” when you do the corners!
I’ve been really happy with the result. This kitchen shelf gives me just a little extra storage in my small kitchen.
What do you think?
More Thrift Store Makeovers
Now check out all the other upcycled projects for this month.
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Originally published February 22, 2018. Featured on Meet up Monday.
Michelle James says
This turned out really cute. I have never heard of that contact paper before. I need to check that out. I love all of the pops of green and I really love that backsplash!
Deborah says
What a fantastic find and a great makeover
Jenny says
This shelf looks fantastic and any extra storage is always good. The contact paper looks amazing. Love your backsplash.
Shirley Wood says
That stainless look contact paper just set it off! I didn’t even realize that existed. Now I’m going to walk around my house and see what I can cover with it! Thrift Upcycle is my favorite time of the month in blog land!
ducttapeanddenim says
Mine too!
Victoria @Da says
One can always use more storage on the kitchen counter. The vinyl looks legit like stainless steel. Visiting from Thrift Store Challenge.
FLORENCE says
That’s cute Ann. Love it!
Michelle James says
Wow! This is such a great update! I love it!
Debrashoppeno5 says
Not only is this handy but it is so cute. The stainless steel look contact paper is a great idea.
Kathleen says
It looks great. I’ve considered getting that paper or something like it to cover our black dishwasher to make it match our other stainless appliances haven’t had the nerve to try it yet!
Xo Kathleen | Our Hopeful Home
ducttapeanddenim says
Try it! I have a friend who did that to her old dishwasher and she loves it.
Audra @ Renewed Projects says
I had no idea there was faux metal contact paper. It looks like the real thing! Where can I put some???? Thanks for sharing!
Habiba says
I love it!!! What a cool idea you had, using that faux metal foil. I’ll be thinking about where I could give that material a try as I really like how it looks on your little shelf.
Angela @ Simply Beautiful By Angela says
That stainless steel paper is such a fun twist, I had no idea that they made such a thing! It looks great and I’m sure it’s been nice having that extra storage 🙂
Lisa says
Love it! I am currently obsessed with the faux copper contact paper.
ducttapeanddenim says
I still need to try copper. How did you use it?
Cathy says
Such beautiful on the counter storage! Love it!
Sandra L Garth says
I’ll be on the hunt for that contact paper this weekend!
Chelsea @ Making Manzanita says
I would never guess that was wrapping paper!! It looks great. What a fun little project!
Mother of 3 says
I love that the shelf is the perfect size for the kitchen counter! What a great find and makeover.
Barb M. says
Looks great and a lot of help in a small kitchen! I had no idea there was such a thing as stainless look contact paper! I have stainless appliances and will be on the lookout for a shelf like this to double deck on my small kitchen counter! I think you would have to assume whatever you put it on is going to be forever? Some of the new contact paper is removable, but on paint…for me, it usually takes the paint up with it. Maybe just put another piece on top surface only (not around the edges) if the surface starts to wear? Thanks!
Kathy A says
Thanx for introducing us to a new product. This was a great solution for your kitchen counter and I’m sure that paper will wipe clean with a swipe! Great use of space!
Tanya says
My mom actually used that metal looking contact paper on her old, white dishwasher and it looked great, like people thought she got a new stainless steel dishwasher
ducttapeanddenim says
Great idea!
Cheri says
Cute Idea 👍🏼Thank You FOR Sharing ❗️Your Berry baskets Look CUTE 🥰There 😊 Contact Paper Should BE OK 👌🏼 It’s NO like Your dragging things Across a Counter . Lifting Them ON and Off They SHOULD be fine 👍🏼But Using Scrubber pad 👎🏼Will Probably Ruin It unless YOU try on another sheet of That paper 😊. THANKS For Sharing , 👏🏼👍🏼♥️G-d♥️Bless
ducttapeanddenim says
Cheri, Thanks for your input. I put contact paper on a desk in my dad’s kitchen. It’s holding up so far but I’m REALLY careful not to drag anything on it.