Not a fond diy'r of math.

Lizzie
by Lizzie

How would I go about placing contact paper on a complete square bistro table (31 1/2 x 31 1/2) the contact paper is 20 inches across? I'm trying to avoid a major seam in the center? of the table. Thanks to any mathematicians out there!


  13 answers
  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Jun 18, 2020

    You'll have either 1 seam down the middle or you can do 2 seams sort of in 3rds but you can't avoid seams.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Jun 18, 2020

    Hello. If it were my project I would lay a full panel down the center and patch in the two sides. It would be my impression that a seamless center could be the most attractive result.

  • Janice Janice on Jun 18, 2020

    I would place a full panel to cover one side and cover the table as much as possible, then apply the second panel (seam) butted against the first one to have only one seam in whatever area is going to be the least used and least noticed. If you've not purchased the contact paper, there are some higher end contact papers available that are much wider than the common contact paper readily available in stores. Try looking on Amazon.

  • Cindy Cindy on Jun 18, 2020

    Hi Lizzie. I would go with a wide strip of contact paper down the middle and two thinner strips on both sides. Try laying the contact paper edges one on top of the other. Then use a straight edge to cut thru both layers. Remove the edge of the top layer and butt the remainder up to the bottom layer of the piece next to it. This will give you perfect seams. I have put wallpaper up like this and the edges match perfectly because they were cut together. Good luck Lizzie.

  • Patty Patty on Jun 18, 2020

    Hmmm I responded and not seeing my response. If you are asking about math you have

    31.5 -20 = 11.5.

    11.5 / 2 = 5.75


    So you need 1 piece at full 20 inch width and two pieces at 5.75 inches

    width.

    All pieces will be 31.5 inches long.


    I would top it with a piece of clear acryllic or clear glass.

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Jun 19, 2020

    Patty's math is straight forward with the measurements. I agree place your contact paper down and cover all of it with plexiglass.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on Jun 19, 2020

    I agree with a couple of the other answers. I would find perfect center and lay a full piece down there, I think aesthetically that will give the best result.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Jun 19, 2020

    Another option is diagonal. This would give it a "pattern" going with one piece down the middle and one on each side.

  • Zard Pocleeb Zard Pocleeb on Jun 19, 2020

    I had a shop teacher in high school that taught me to accentuate mistakes rather than try to hide them. He said that attempted repairs will almost always be visible. The reason I mention this is that you can lay down the paper with the seam in the middle and put a strip of another paper over the seam. This way the seam doesn’t need to be perfect. You can make the strip any width you like.

  • Kmdreamer Kmdreamer on Jun 20, 2020

    You would put the paper to one side closest to you so the back seam is away from you and this leaves the small 10 1/2 inch piece towards the back unless you pit it on a angle corner to opposite corner then just cut the pieces for the corners .

  • Homeroad Homeroad on Jun 22, 2020

    I would lay it down in the center first. You may end up with 2 seams on the ends but not down the center.

  • Joy Elizabeth Joy Elizabeth on Jun 22, 2020

    You could do 20 and 11.5 and have the seam off center. Or have one 20 inch piece centered and two 5 3/4" pieces on each side if symmetry is important. I think it depends on the pattern :)

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 25, 2020

    Hello Lizzie,

    Find the centre of the table, then stick the centre of the contact paper in the middle. Cut other pieces to fit the sides........