Removing wallpaper in kitchen without removing cabinets

Deb
by Deb
I am removing the vinyl wallpaper in my kitchen. It's coming off very easy, however, it seems that it was put up before the cabinets were installed. I cannot remove the cabinets. There are a couple of areas where there is a small space between the cabinet and wall and I cannot get in there to remove the paper. I will not be putting up new wallpaper, but rather painting, which will also be difficult in these same areas. Any suggestions?
  7 answers
  • Use a very sharp razor knife or an craft Exacto knife and cut carefully right along the edge of the cabinet. If your worried about cutting into the wood, use a metal spackling taping knife to hold against the cabinet while you use the razor knife. It will work like a charm.
    • Deb Deb on Aug 03, 2014
      @Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com Thanks, but the space is between the wall and the cabinet. It's less than an inch and difficult to get to.
  • Color Natural Decor Color Natural Decor on Aug 03, 2014
    I had that same problem. I have a steamer-(the brand I have now is the shark one that has a handheld part that fits into the base for floors) so I shot the steam back in there and took my grill fork (it was long) and scraped and twisted the paper off. I painted as far back as my small roller would fit. (you can't see the rest anyway)
    • Deb Deb on Aug 03, 2014
      @Jill Jacoby Thanks, Jill. That's my problem...my hand won't fit in there. I'll try the steam, but I think even the fork is too big. It's about an inch space.
  • Why not put a filler wood in the space finish it with the wall and forget about it all together. Besides if your going to paint and its that tight, you will end up getting paint all over the side of the cabinet anyway.
  • You can go to the depots and buy a small "filler strip" that can be installed over that space so that it would have a decorative look and hide the space. If your cabinets have any type of trim or crown on/over them, you may want to try and match a similar look.
  • Use a sharp utility knife to cut the wallpaper along the edge of the cabinets.

  • Mogie Mogie on Jul 12, 2023

    Use a SHARP knife and cut down the wall paper next to the cabinets but be careful not to cut yourself.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jul 14, 2023


    Run a Sharp knife along the top of the cabinets to cut the paper. then remove as before!