DIY Faux Marble Coffee Table

DIY home decor design and blog Arts & Classy, run by Meredith Greenberg, is a resource for practical interior design inspiration. She has built Arts and Classy on her dream of creating a high-end look for much less, which she does by finding (and chronicling) cost-effective DIY projects to achieve the look on a dime.

Meredith discovered Trove and used it to score a $20 coffee table she needed for a pretty crafty DIY project! Her total budget for this completed beauty was $35. This is the step-by-step photo journal from her project, with instructions sourced from Syl and Sam.

Supplies you will need:

• Marble DC Fix Contact Paper – 2 rolls
• Metal Ruler
• Xacto Knife and Blades Squeegee
• Scissors
• Small Hand Towel

Start by cleaning the surface you will be covering in contact paper. Wipe it with a damp cloth and allow to dry.

Cut the paper to size. One easy trick for removable surfaces (e.g., glass top) is to place the surface you're covering on the unrolled paper and cut around it, leaving about an inch allowance along the edges.

If you are doing this on a table surface that isn't so easily movable, you may need a tape measure to cut the contact paper to size – remember to leave about an inch allowance on all sides.

After cutting the paper to size, peel one edge of the backing.

If you're applying the contact paper to a removable surface:

1. Lift the glass surface and gently place it over the sticky edge, leaving the 1 inch allowance.
2. Lift the edge of the contact paper and wrap it over the edge of the surface and press it into place. Then flip the surface over so that the contact paper is on top.
3. Next, take the towel and press the adhesive side of the contact paper down onto the surface while slowly peeling back the paper backing.
4. When the entire surface has been pressed down, flip the surface over. Cut a square out of each corner and then press the contact paper over the edges.
5. See Tips below.

If you're applying the contact paper to a surface that's not easy to manipulate:

1. Gently place the contact paper face down over the surface.
2. Precisely align the sticky edge with one edge of your surface, and carefully press it into place.
3. Next, take the towel and press the adhesive side of the contact paper down onto the surface while slowly peeling back the paper backing toward the side of the surface opposite the adhered edge.
4. See Tips below.

Tips:

• Go in smooth strokes, pushing out any air bubbles a small section at a time.
• Work slowly to push out all the bubbles so that the surface looks smooth.
• If any air bubbles do get trapped, you can pull the adhesive back and try to smooth it down again.
• If there are bubbles at the end, an easy fix is to poke them with a pin to release the air and then press the sticker down.

Enjoy your new table! The look is amazing, and you've put it together on-the-cheap! The best part? If you're not totally satisfied with the look, contact paper is often easily removed! As with any adhesive, it's possible removal may damage the original surface of the table – so be mindful of that before starting your project. Good luck!