DIY Faux Marble Shelf

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I have long been lusting over this marble and gold shelf from CB2, but I knew that I could create something similar that's a little more budget friendly. So, I set off to find the supplies to create a DIY Faux Marble Shelf, and it turned out to look almost identical to the original! You only need a few supplies and an hour to create this project for under $20, and it's very user-friendly.

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Image Credit: Shannon Smith

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Things You'll Need

  • Marble contact Paper (I bought mine on Amazon)

  • Wooden shelf (Ikea)

  • Shelf brackets (Ikea)

  • Gold spray paint

  • Mounting screws

  • Power drill

  • Level

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

This project cost me less than $5 since I already had the contact paper and the spray paint. If you don't already have these things, your total will be less than $20. Talk about budget friendly!

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Image Credit: Shannon Smith

Step 2: Paint Your Brackets

Make sure your brackets are prepped by removing the stickers and wiping them down so they are free of dust. Sit them upright and hold the can approximately 12 inches away from the brackets, misting them with light layers until they're fully coated.

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Image Credit: Shannon Smith
Image Credit: Shannon Smith

Tip

Do this step first so that you can apply the contact paper to the shelf while the brackets dry. This cuts down on your project time!

Step 3: Apply the Contact Paper

This step can be tricky, so if you've never worked with contact paper before, you might want to grab a friend to lend you an extra set of hands.

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Image Credit: Shannon Smith

Tip

Wipe down the surface of the shelf so that it's free of dust. Any bit of dust of dirt will show through the contact paper and look bumpy!

Image Credit: Shannon Smith

I was able to cover the entire shelf without cutting an extra piece of contact paper by applying it length-wise. For larger shelves, make sure that your seam will be in the least visible spot (i.e., underneath the shelf).

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Image Credit: Shannon Smith

Apply the paper slowly to one side of the shelf, pushing out air bubbles as you go. If there are any bubbles left after application, you can use a credit card to smooth them out.

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Step 4: Wrap the Contact Paper Around the Edges

This part isn't tricky, but it takes some precision. I wrapped the corners of my shelf like a present, cutting the excess off. Your end result should give you smooth corners like this!

wrap the edges
Image Credit: Shannon Smith

Step 5: Check to See If Your Brackets Are Dry

Your brackets should be dry and not sticky to the touch before you mount them to the wall.

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Image Credit: Shannon Smith

Step 6: Attach the Brackets to the Shelf and Mount to the Wall

Turn the shelf upside down and mount the brackets to the underside. There are pre-drilled holes on this particular shelf, and this helps keep it sturdy! Mount your brackets to the wall using screws, anchors, a level, and a power drill. Because this shelf is not made from actual marble, it's not nearly as heavy to hang as the original!

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Image Credit: Shannon Smith

Step 7: Style to Your Heart's Content!

I mounted my shelf in my vanity area, so I use it to display jewelry and my favorite polishes. It would also look great in a kitchen or bathroom, since the contact paper is very durable and easy to wipe clean!

Image Credit: Shannon Smith
Image Credit: Shannon Smith

The contact paper looks so much like the real thing. You would never know that it's actually a shelf liner and not real marble!

Image Credit: Shannon Smith

So, that's it! Sit back, pat yourself on the back for being such a genius and saving so much money, and admire your new shelf!

Image Credit: Shannon Smith

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