ᐅ Covering Kallax shelves with leftover wallpaper – is that a good idea?

Hello everyone, I am considering redecorating one of my Kallax shelves using leftover wallpaper. I’m wondering if covering the individual compartments with wallpaper remnants is really a durable and visually pleasing solution.

I’m especially interested in whether the wallpaper adheres well to the relatively smooth Kallax surfaces, how durable it is—particularly under the strain of books or decorations—and if issues like bubbling or peeling might occur later.

Have any of you tried this before or can you offer tips on how to achieve the smoothest and most long-lasting results? Which adhesives work best, and is there anything important to consider when preparing the surface?

I’m looking forward to your experiences and advice!

I covered my Kallax with wallpaper and can say: It is important to clean the surface thoroughly beforehand and lightly sand it.

Wallpaper paste usually doesn't work; it's better to use a special craft or contact adhesive.

You can smooth out bubbles using a squeegee.

Adhering wallpaper remnants to Kallax furniture is generally feasible, as the surface is usually melamine-coated and relatively smooth. For good adhesion, the surface should be free of dust and grease. A light sanding with grit 220-240 significantly improves adhesion.

For small areas, it is recommended to use spray adhesive or double-sided tape, since wallpaper paste does not adhere optimally to melamine coatings.

Bubbling usually occurs due to excess adhesive or trapped air. Therefore, working in stages with a squeegee or firm plastic scraper is advisable.

Durability varies greatly depending on the level of use: heavy books can put significant stress on the edges, so additional edge sealing might be necessary.

That sounds like a great DIY project! 🙂 I did exactly that some time ago – covering a Kallax unit with colorful wallpaper scraps – and I’m really happy with the result!

The tip about using a squeegee is invaluable; it helped me avoid almost all bubbles. I used spray adhesive, which held really well even after several months of use.

If you want a perfectly smooth finish, it’s best to slightly dampen the wallpaper first. This makes it easier to shape and apply without wrinkles. Good luck!

pikin schrieb:
The use of spray adhesive or double-sided tape is recommended for small areas, as wallpaper paste does not adhere well to melamine surfaces.

I can confirm this. Melamine surfaces are problematic for wallpaper paste. For a similar project, I also used spray adhesive, preferably with a light wet film to avoid soaking the wallpaper.

Important: Cut the wallpaper precisely before applying it, ideally with some overlap, and additionally secure the edges after pasting.

You should also be prepared for the wallpaper to slowly come loose over time, especially at corners and edges. A thin layer of clear varnish as a sealant helps in this case.

Gloriagl10 schrieb:
Wallpaper paste usually doesn’t work; it’s better to use a special craft or contact adhesive.

Thanks, that was the most important information for me since I initially thought of using regular wallpaper paste.

todunar schrieb:
If you want a really smooth finish, it’s best to slightly dampen the wallpaper first, as this makes it easier to shape and apply without wrinkles.

That’s interesting—I was worried that moisture might damage the surface of the Kallax. Have you had no issues with water? Maybe just dampen the back side of the wallpaper?

And how exactly do you handle cutting so that each compartment is neatly covered? I’d like the wallpaper to end as close as possible to the inside edge.

Overall, it sounds doable—thanks for your valuable tips so far!