How to Line the Inside of a China Cabinet With Wallpaper

Remove all the contents of your china cabinet including the shelves and shelf pegs. Be sure to place your breakable china and glassware somewhere safe out of the way of your work zone. Then wipe down the inside of the cabinet with a wet cloth to remove all dust and debris.

Step 2 Measure & cut wallpaper

Measure the height of your cabinet back and then cut the wallpaper that length plus an extra inch at top and bottom. If you will need two widths of paper to span the back, go ahead and cut that length too.

When cutting keep the edge as straight as possible. If you use the straight razor make sure you are not cutting into the surface below you.

Spread an even coat of glue from top to bottom and horizontally the width of the paper. I used a small paint roller to get an even coat quickly, but a large brush would work too.

Step 4 Install the wallpaper starting at the top

Holding the wallpaper at the top corners twist about an inch over your thumbs and put that fold at the intersection of the cabinet back and top. You want a good margin (about an inch) of paper above the backing, so that you can come back and cut it evenly.

Once you have the top securely in place smooth down the wallpaper with your hands. Work from top to bottom and center out. Keep the paper level and your left edge even along the corner. If you find it shifting to one side, you can peel the paper up from the bottom and push the drooped side up.

Go back with your plastic smoothing tool and work out any air bubbles. Press firmly but evenly across the edge of the tool. You do not want to use too much pressure at either end as you might gouge the paper or press in a wrinkle.

You may notice as you smooth the paper excess glue sliding out under the edges. Use your wet cloth to wipe this up.

You will likely need to cut down the width of your second sheet of wallpaper. If the pattern is big, it will need to match up to the first sheet, so the pattern continues across correctly. Figure out which side of the paper does that and cut the opposite side. Be sure to leave an inch or so margin to go into the corner for an even edge.

I’ll be honest, I did not try to match my pattern. The Savoy is so busy and there will always be dishes and tableware in front of it, so I just didn’t bother.

Follow the same methods to install as steps 5 and 6.

Allow the wallpaper an hour or so to dry then trim excess at top, bottom, and sides. Use your straight blade or exacto knife to trim the margin of paper you left when installing.

Push the tip of the blade into the corner so that you get an even edge perfectly lined up. 

You may need to take a bit of glue and smooth down the newly cut edge. Just dab a brush or your finger and rub some underneath the paper edge. Wipe away excess with wet cloth.

Now for the really fun part!

Once your shelves are reinstalled, play with styling your china, silver, glassware and other treasures in your newly updated china cabinet with wallpaper backing. Place larger items on the bottom and try to keep a balanced feeling from side to side.

Show off your dishes by standing them up on their edge.

I really enjoyed mixing up my arrangement, and playing off the new pop of pink the wallpaper brought to the shelves!

Head over to Pender & Peony to see the china cabinet fully styled with the new wallpaper backing!