How to Line Kitchen Shelves

Kitchen shelf liners can make your kitchen look more attractive and also help keep it clean. There are many different types of liners that you can use, but all should be installed in a similar way. Buy the materials you need, prepare your cabinets, and then line your shelves to add a nice little touch to your kitchen.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Buying Your Materials

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You’ll need a regular ruler and a quilting ruler to properly take measurements, as well as a notepad and writing utensil for writing them down. Get a pair of scissors or a rotary cutter to cut the liner. Some other supplies you need are: shelf liner, a cleaning cloth, all-purpose cleaner or vinegar, a cutting mat, and a squeegee.^{[1]XResearch source}
Use the regular ruler to measure the length and width of a shelf that you plan on lining. Make sure to write down these measurements in a notebook.^{[2]XResearch source}
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Calculate the amount of liner you’ll need. Multiply the length by the width measurement. Take that number and multiply it by the number of shelves you have. This will tell you approximately how much liner you need to buy.
- If your shelves measure 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) by 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) and you have 8 shelves in your kitchen that you want to line, you’ll multiply 10 in (25.4 cm) x 5 in (12.7 cm) = 50 in (127 cm) and then 50 in (127 cm) x 8 = 400 in (1,016 cm). In this example, you’d need to buy at least 400 square inches (1,016 cm) of liner.
Scan the aisle of a home improvement store to find patterns and colors that you like, whether it’s bright red polka dots or solid black. Contact paper is one of the more popular liner material options because it’s decorative on one side and has an adhesive on the other. You can also choose a non-slip material such as sponge or ribbed plastic to avoid issues in the future when you remove the liner.^{[3]XResearch source}

Part 2

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Preparing for Installation

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Before lining your cabinet shelves, you’ll need to empty them out completely. Take out all of your non-perishable bottles, cans, and boxes of food as well as all dishes and cooking utensils. Put these items on a nearby flat surface that’s out of the way, such as your kitchen table.
Soak a clean cloth in either all-purpose cleaner or vinegar diluted by water and wring out the cloth well. Wipe down the interior of your cabinets with the cloth. Use a toothbrush to scrub the edges, corners, and cracks.^{[4]XResearch source}
Keep the cabinet doors open for a half hour or so after you’ve cleaned them so that they can dry out naturally. Touch the shelves after this amount of time has gone by to check that they’re fully dry.^{[5]XResearch source}

Part 3

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Installing Your Shelf Liner

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Use the quilting ruler to measure your liner to fit the measurements of the shelves that you wrote down earlier. Mark the top and bottom of the paper with a pencil or pen.^{[6]XResearch source}
Use scissors or place a cutting mat underneath the liner and then cut it with a rotary cutter. Use the quilting ruler as a guide while you’re cutting the liner. Repeat this process to create as many pieces of liner as there are shelves.^{[7]XResearch source}
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Place the liner on the shelf and smooth it out. Take the backing off of your contact liner paper and carefully place it on your shelf. Go over the liner with a squeegee to eliminate any bubbles or wrinkles.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Put a small blob of reusable mounting putty in each corner of the cabinet before placing in spongy or plastic liner to secure it.^{[9]XResearch source}
One by one, take the pre-cut pieces of liner, place them in each shelf space, and smooth them out until all of your shelves are lined.^{[10]XResearch source}

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What can I use to line my shelves?
Garrison Hullinger
Interior Designer
Garrison Hullinger is an Interior Designer and the President of Studio Garrison. With more than 15 years of experience, he specializes in client-centered design that balances beauty and warmth with comfort and functionality. Garrison and GHID’s work has been featured in numerous publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Interior Design Magazine. Garrison attended Oklahoma Christian University.
Garrison Hullinger
Interior Designer
Expert Answer
Cork is a great option, especially if you're storing breakable dishes. It adds a little bit of a crutch—plus, it's a natural material, and it doesn't really absorb stains and odors.
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