Lone Fox Home Tested 5 Faux Wood Contact Papers—This $20 Roll Was MVP

Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox Home undertook a personal kitchen transformation for his friend, Benji Le, who had recently lost his home in a fire and moved into a stark new-build apartment. The goal was to imbue Le's new living space with the warmth and charm reminiscent of his previous midcentury home, contrasting with the apartment's existing gray-ish white laminate cabinets. Le, despite his keen eye for design, was not inclined towards DIY projects, making the cabinet makeover a daunting task for him alone. Scott's solution involved using faux wood contact paper, a cost-effective and temporary alternative to a full renovation. He sourced fifteen rolls of a $20 faux wood contact paper from Amazon, but not before conducting a thorough evaluation. He tested five different types of contact paper to identify the one with the optimal quality and grain pattern. This selection process was crucial to ensure the material could effectively conceal imperfections and prevent the formation of bubbles during application. Scott emphasized the importance of choosing higher-quality vinyls, as these allow for repositioning without losing adhesion, which is vital for a smooth, bubble-free finish. The transformation itself was completed in a single day by Scott and Le. They meticulously removed the cabinet doors and applied the chosen contact paper to all cabinet components. A utility knife was used to achieve clean, precise edges, and the paper was smoothed by hand to eliminate any air pockets. To complete the desired aesthetic, real wood handles were cut and stained with Minwax’s Colonial Maple, then affixed to the cabinet doors. Scott noted that hardware stores often provide cutting services for such pieces, or a hand saw can be used. The outcome of this DIY project was a significantly enhanced kitchen space that felt more personalized and comforting, moving away from the impersonal feel of a temporary residence. An additional benefit of this contact paper solution is its reversibility; the entire update can be removed relatively quickly, which is ideal for rental properties or situations where a permanent change is not desired. The project successfully combined practicality with aesthetic improvement, creating a welcoming environment for Le in his new home. #LoneFoxHome #KitchenRenovation #DIYProject #FauxWood #ContactPaper #HomeMakeover #BudgetDesign #TemporaryDecor #LoneFoxHome #KitchenRenovation #DIYProject #FauxWood #ContactPaper #HomeMakeover #BudgetDesign #TemporaryDecor