Hi friends, it’s Courtney here — Melissa’s daughter. I wanted to share a quick furniture makeover I did last night as part of the “A Lovely January” home challenge. Instead of curling up under a blanket while the snow came down, I turned on a podcast and spent the evening puttering around my apartment: rearranging, organizing, and making a few things prettier. One small update turned into a satisfying little DIY that brightened my entryway.
A small cabinet my mom didn’t need became mine when she moved into her new house. I love it in my entry; it replaces a half-round table and gives me much better storage while looking charming. The bottom shelf had some damage, so I decided to line the interior with adhesive contact paper I already had to hide the wear and give the piece a fresh look.
This was an easy, low-cost refresh. It took about 20–30 minutes and a little patience getting the sticky liner in place, but the result is worth it — it isn’t flawless, but it looks so much better and it makes me smile every time I open the cabinet. You can even see the pretty pattern through the glass on top, which is a nice bonus.
I already had blue floral adhesive shelf liner on hand, so I cut it to size and smoothed it into place to cover the damaged area. Using contact paper to line shelves is an easy way to freshen furniture, protect surfaces, and add a touch of pattern without a big commitment. It also inspired me to tackle other small tasks around the apartment.
Here’s how it turned out:
After lining the shelves, I moved a few things into the cabinet and cleared out space in my laundry closet. Living in a 500-square-foot apartment, even a little extra storage feels like a game changer. That small win motivated me to tidy other spots, line another drawer with the same contact paper, and finish several lingering tasks. It’s amazing how one small project can kickstart a productive evening.
If you’d like to see a tour of my apartment and how I use small storage solutions, I shared a full apartment update previously. I also post progress and little updates on Instagram, where I share apartment changes, wedding planning, recipe experiments, and more. It’s been fun to follow along with the “A Lovely January” challenge and see how small improvements add up across many homes.
If you’re curious about lining drawers or shelves, I rounded up several pretty contact paper options to inspire you. Many of these designs double as peel-and-stick removable wallpaper, making it easy to refresh furniture, drawers, and small built-ins without a long-term commitment.
More Drawer/Shelf Liners + Peel-and-Stick Removable Wallpaper Sources:
Related Post:
Making Things Pretty: Drawer and Shelf Liners in the Kitchen