How to Vinyl Wrap Cabinet Doors

Get a professional-looking finish for your cupboards with this DIY

Co-authored by Schannon Yodice and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: December 19, 2023 References

After months and years of use, your cupboards might be looking a little worse for wear. Don’t worry! Vinyl door wrapping can make all kinds of cupboards look sleek and beautiful without the need for any expensive repairs or renovations. If you’d like to wrap your own cupboards, you’re in good hands—we’ve answered some of your frequently-asked questions to help you tackle this easy home improvement project.

Question 1 of 7:

What can I use to cover kitchen cupboard doors?

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Vinyl wraps provide a sleek, seamless finish to your door. Plus, these wraps can look like a variety of surfaces, like wood, concrete, and metal.^{[1]
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Research source} You can use vinyl wraps on both flat and grooved cabinet doors.^{[2]
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Question 2 of 7:

What types of vinyl wraps are there?

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Adhesive vinyl wraps are smooth on 1 side and sticky on the other, and are really easy to use. Just remove the backing paper and press the sticky side of the vinyl wraps onto the cupboard.^{[3]
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For this method, place the vinyl wrap directly on top of your cupboard. Then, heat the material with a hair dryer so the wrap sticks to the door.^{[4]
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Question 3 of 7:

Which vinyl wrap should I use if I’m a beginner?

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These are easy to use, even if you’ve never wrapped a cupboard before.^{[5]
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Question 4 of 7:

Is wrapping cupboards difficult?

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To wrap your own cupboards, you’ll need a screwdriver and de-greasing agent, along with an X-acto knife and multiple sheets of vinyl wrap that are larger than your cupboard doors.^{[6]
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Question 5 of 7:

How do you vinyl wrap a cupboard?

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Disconnect the door hinges from the cupboard with a screwdriver, and set the door on a flat surface. Then, remove the handle from the front of the cupboard, setting it aside for later. Clean off the front of the door with a de-greasing agent, so the surface is prepped and ready to go.^{[7]
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Apply the vinyl wrap to the front of the cupboard door. Lay a sheet of vinyl wrap on a flat surface. Then, peel back 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) of the backing paper, so part of the sticky side is exposed. Take a moment to center and place your cupboard door front-side-down on the vinyl wrapping. This way, the top of the vinyl wrap will stick to the top 2 in (5.1 cm) of the cupboard door.^{[8]
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- Try to leave around 2 to 3 in (5.1 to 7.6 cm) of vinyl hanging off each side of the cabinet door, so you can wrap it along the inside of the door.
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Remove the rest of the backing paper and squeegee it onto the cupboard door. Flip the cupboard door over, so the backing paper is facing down. Use 1 hand to slowly peel away the backing paper, and your other hand to smooth the sticky vinyl onto the door with a squeegee.^{[9]
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Question 6 of 7:

How do you finish setting up the door?

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Cut through the wrap at a 45-degree angle, slicing from the outer corner of the wrap to the outer corner of the cupboard door. Repeat this along all 4 corners of the door.^{[10]
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Wrap the extra vinyl along the inner door and cut away any excess. Carefully and tightly fold the excess vinyl over and onto the inner door of the cabinet. Then, slice away any leftover material that’s hanging over the edge of the door with your X-acto knife, so the next vinyl edge is easier to fold and smooth into place. Repeat this process along the other 3 edges of the door.^{[11]
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- You’ll need to trim the vinyl wrap so it fits snugly around the door hinges.
Screw the handle back along the front of your newly-wrapped cupboard door. Then, reattach the door hinges into your cupboard. You can now admire all your hard work!^{[12]
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Question 7 of 7:

How do you wrap kitchen cupboards with grooves?

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An ACM board is a light, flat panel that will cover the grooved section of your cupboard door. Apply some adhesive along the back of your ACM board, and place it on top of the grooved section of your cabinet door. Once the adhesive dries and cures completely, wrap the cupboard door as you normally would.^{[13]
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Expert Q&A

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Question

What common mistakes should we look out for when applying vinyl?

Schannon Yodice
Tile Installation and Design Expert
Schannon Yodice is a Tile Installation and Design Expert based in League City, Texas. She is the Founder of Online Tile Academy, an online video platform designed to educate designers, contractors, and the general public on the proper use, installation, and building of tile installation. With over 242K followers on her Instagram, thattilechick, Schannon is known for sharing DIY projects and tips for various tile installation projects.

Schannon Yodice

Tile Installation and Design Expert

Expert Answer

One of the biggest rookie mistakes I see is jumping in without knowing enough about the material or the process. The more you prep, the smoother it’ll go. First, spend some time researching—this isn’t just about sticking a sticker on a cupboard. Vinyl comes with its quirks! For example, check out the manufacturer’s instructions and product details, often called data sheets. These give you the nitty-gritty on where the vinyl can be applied and how it performs under different conditions, like humidity or heat. Just like with grout or tile, data sheets offer key insights that you wouldn’t always get from just the label. When it’s time to apply, clean and prep the cupboard surface thoroughly. Grease or dust can make the vinyl bubble or peel, so wiping down with a good cleaner and letting it dry completely is non-negotiable. Once you’re ready to go, start with a small section at a time, peeling off the backing little by little rather than all at once. It’s like laying down wallpaper; you don’t want to rush or you’ll end up with air bubbles. Speaking of bubbles, you can use a squeegee or an old credit card to help smooth the vinyl as you go. This gives you a nice even finish. And don’t be afraid to pull the vinyl up if you mess up a section—it’s usually pretty forgiving if you catch it quickly. Finally, if you’re working on tricky edges or corners, a hairdryer on low heat can help soften the vinyl, making it easier to reapply, stretch, and smooth around curves.

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Tips

You only need to wrap the outside of your cupboard door.^{[14]
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Research source} If you’d like a more cohesive look, choose a wrap that’s a pretty close match to your cupboard door.^{[15]
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Vinyl wraps give your cupboards a smooth, sleek finish for around 5-10 years.^{[16]
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Warnings

You can technically paint over a vinyl wrap, but experts don’t recommend it. Unfortunately, once your vinyl wrap starts peeling, the paint will also peel away.^{[17]
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