Furniture Wrapping Step by Step: A Guide for Beginners

Applying vinyl always looks easy in videos. And it actually is, if you take a little time. Here is the process that works for us.

You need

• Decorative vinyl (sold by the metre, 122 cm wide)
• Squeegee with felt edge
• Utility knife with a fresh blade
• Tape measure and pencil
• Lint-free cloth and degreaser or isopropyl alcohol
• Optional: Hairdryer for curves and corners

1. Prepare the surface

Clean, degrease, and let dry. Unscrew handles, hinges, and fittings to save yourself the hassle. Fill in small dents with filler and sand them smooth. The surface must be dry and dust-free.

2. Pay attention to the temperature

The room and material should be at least 17 °C, and should stay that way for the first 48 hours afterwards. If it is too cold, the vinyl will not adhere properly.

3. Cutting

Measure the surface and leave an overhang of about 3–5 cm all around. Cut the vinyl to size roughly; you will make the final cut after applying it.

4. Apply dry

Our vinyl is applied dry, without any water or soapy water. First, align the vinyl along one edge, then peel off the backing paper little by little and squeegee from the centre outwards. Thanks to air channels in the adhesive layer, the air can escape.

5. Corners and edges

Gently heat the vinyl around curves, then it can be stretched and positioned. Do not overstretch. Cut off the overhangs neatly with the utility knife and press the edges down again.

6. Finished, but don't touch it yet

Leave everything to settle for 48 hours before putting it to heavy use or cleaning it. Then reattach the fittings.

Tip for getting started

Start with a small, flat surface, such as a cabinet door. Once you get a feel for the vinyl, the rest will come naturally.

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