Cleaning up spills is easier with a shelf liner, and it also protects surfaces from wear and water damage, preventing damage before it's done. Shelf liners can even spruce up the look of your kitchen, adding a pop of color or pattern. We'd go so far as to say not using them is a mistake!
Honestly, you can use pretty much anything to line drawers and shelves, including contact paper, shelf liner, peel-and-stick wallpaper, regular wallpaper, wrapping paper, or any other large papers.
“Like humans and animals, insects like cockroaches enjoy a sense of security—you really can't beat a nice taut section of contact paper that's no longer sticky to breed under (the area between the sheet and the shelf).”
Use plain white shelf paper with no sticky back. Use thumbtacks or blue painter tape to keep it in place. The blue tape can be removed quickly without damage when you move out.
Organize Stored Items
A liner can be dual purpose: It can organize and protect the interior of your dresser. These slide-in dividers are as pretty as they are practical and help to neatly store your everyday items.
Liners Protect Your Drawers + Shelves
From helping stop water damage in drawers or shelves like in the kitchen + bathroom to preventing stains from oils, seasonings or spilles — drawer liners provide a strong layer of protection. In many instances, they'll even help stop scratches.
From grabbing those hard-to-reach items to unexpected spills and splatters, placing shelf liner along your pantry shelves can help prevent the mess from spreading. Plus, it helps to prevent scratches from sliding cans and more.
Lining your kitchen cabinets and drawers is the best way to keep them clean and protected from years of use and abuse. That means choosing the right material is essential.
Q:Which side goes up - the ribbed side or the smooth side? A: Confused, the clear ribbed shelf liner can be used either way, however, it is designed to be used ribbed side up.
Firstly, these bags can often contain food residues that cockroaches can detect. As scavengers, they are drawn to even the smallest amount of food for sustenance. Secondly, the creases and folds of plastic bags offer an ideal hiding place for roaches, providing vital shelter and a sense of security.
Clutter and piles of items
Apart from causing untidiness, clutter in your bedroom creates dark and humid adult mosquito resting places. Additionally, dense clutter can block airflow, leading to moisture buildup, and creating a suitable environment for mosquito breeding sites.
Use parchment paper instead of cups, Chapple says, for an upgraded case for your muffins or cupcakes, and you'll never worry about cupcake liners again.
Step One – Find the Perfect Print
Many ask us if wallpaper can be used as a drawer liner and the answer is yes! Small spaces, such as a desk or dresser drawer, offer the perfect opportunity to try bright and bold peel and stick wallpaper patterns in your home.
Line Drawers and Shelves
“It's easy to cut, fit, and when it gets dirty, you can easily replace it,” Jaques says.
Once you have your measurements, you can go shopping for your lining. Contact paper is one of the most popular products for the job. It comes in a variety of patterns and colors, and the back of this paper has a strong adhesive. You can easily cut the exact sizes you need and stick them to your cabinets.
Shaker-Style Cabinets
Known for their simple design and recessed-panel doors, Shaker cabinets have been in style for more than 100 years. Shaker cabinets are popular in farmhouse kitchens, but they also work with a variety of home decor styles.
Lower cabinets in dark tones are a bold and dramatic kitchen cabinet trends for 2025, bringing depth and richness to kitchen designs. Dark hues like navy blue, charcoal gray, and deep green are popular choices, adding a touch of sophistication and elegance to the space.
Cleaning up spills is easier with a shelf liner, and it also protects surfaces from wear and water damage, preventing damage before it's done. Shelf liners can even spruce up the look of your kitchen, adding a pop of color or pattern. We'd go so far as to say not using them is a mistake!
Most professional organizers agree that the best shelf liners are vinyl, including Swenson and Harkin.
A: I have used it both ways depending on what you're using it for. If lining kitchen cabinets for glasses then I use the ridge side up for air circulation. If using it for storage that your want a smooth surface, then I use it ridge side down.
A remodeler of our bathroom suggested using a glue gun to hold the liners in place. (Yes I use liners in all the drawers and cabinets in my house). It works great!
What Is the Difference Between Contact Paper and Shelf Liners? While both contact paper and shelf liners protect your cabinets and shelves, they serve slightly different purposes: Contact paper has a sticky backing that adheres directly to surfaces, providing a more permanent layer of protection and decoration.