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If you've ever heard the term kitchen wrapping or vinyl wrapping and wondered what that means, don't worry. Many people have. The wrapping process isn't something that lots of people talk about because more often than not, when people want to transform their kitchen, they'll opt for painting the kitchen units a new colour or simply purchasing a brand new kitchen.
But there's a third way, and it's vinyl wrap, and it's actually the most cost effective of the options, too. Below we'll talk you through everything there is to know about vinyl kitchen wrap, the kitchen wrapping process, and the pros and cons of opting for vinyl wrap kitchen cabinets over the other options.
Ready to find out if vinyl wrapping is for you? Then read our overview below!
Kitchen wrapping is essentially where you take rolls or sheets of vinyl wrap that's capable of being stuck over kitchen cupboards, unit doors, drawers, worktops - pretty much anything in the entire kitchen - to transform them all.
It helps give your kitchen a totally new look without having to go through the expense of buying new doors, new units, or even a completely new kitchen. Instead, you make use of the things you already have in your kitchen, and stick over them with vinyl wrap that comes with an extensive range of colours and patterns!
There are two main types of vinyl wrap, and the difference is how they are applied. Heat activated vinyl wraps are applied over the kitchen cupboards and unit doors, and then heated to stick it to the cupboards and worktops, replacing the old look with ease. The second type is adhesive, meaning you simply peel back a protective layer, and then stick the vinyl wrap over the kitchen units, etc, acting like a large sticker. Adhesive vinyl wrap is typically the most popular option for its different types of finishes, colours, and patterns, and ease of application.
Yes. Vinyl wrapping, kitchen wrap, vinyl kitchen wrap - they're all the same thing. It simply refers to the process of wrapping drawers, units, cupboards, and other objects in your kitchen with vinyl. Wrapped objects will then have a new appearance and style, without having to replace them.
Surprisingly, wrapping objects and surfaces with vinyl isn't as complicated as it first seems. Using adhesive vinyl is even easier (hence why many people refer to it as elite vinyl or the best choice). So, how do you do it?
The first step is cleaning. Take soapy water and make sure all the cabinets, cupboards, drawers, and surfaces that are to be wrapped are thoroughly clean. Any grease or oils from cooking, or just general dirt or debris, could mean the wrap isn't able to be stuck to the surface as easily. Once clean, allow to dry. Moisture will prevent the vinyl from sticking.
Next, you'll need to remove all the doors, fittings, and fixtures. This is so you can measure them effectively and ensure the project is completed to a high standard. Once you can measure everything effectively, go ahead.
Now you'll need to cut the vinyl to size - but make sure you leave a few extra centimetres so you can fold them over the edges and corners of the furniture you cover.
Once you've placed the vinyl wrap over the cupboards, ensure you start peeling the backing paper away slowly, using a smoother to avoid air bubbles. Then make a diagonal cut at the corners to fold the excess vinyl wrap over the edges smoothly.
Now all that's left to do is leave it to adhere, usually around 24 hours or so. After this time, the kitchen door, cupboards, drawers, etc, can be attached again and used as normal.
With the right materials and knowing the details of how to wrap your kitchen, it's a straightforward job, and one that many keen DIY enthusiasts will take on themselves. But be warned. This is not a job for the fainthearted. It requires a steady hand and lots of patience to achieve a high-quality finish that's highly durable.
For an elite vinyl finish, we'd recommend getting the professionals in. That way, they can decide the best way to tackle your particular units, doors, and cupboards, etc. They'll also have the best chance to create a transformation in the room that will match your expectations. All too often DIY enthusiasts end up with a finished project that doesn't quite look the way they had hoped for...
Vinyl wrap is an amazing product, there's no denying that. If you have cupboards with a specific paint colour you no longer like, or an old wood grain you want to cover up, then you can do so, and on a budget too!
You can change textures, colour, even the look of the materials themselves. Do you want the worktops to look stone or metal? Maybe you're tired of the old spray paint, and simply want the kitchen door to have a new, bold colour? Whatever difference you want to make, you can do it quickly, and for the fraction of the cost of other methods with wrapping.
You can achieve any look you want, really:
If you can picture a kitchen style you like, then there will be a quality vinyl wrap out there that can help you change the appearance of the room for a brilliant price. The only limit is your imagination!
And since almost anything in your kitchen can be wrapped, from your kitchen door to your cupboard doors and almost everything in between, you get to decide what a new kitchen looks like for you, but in a much more budget friendly way!
If wrapped by a professional, then the job should be long-lasting. When wrapped professionally, you can be confident that the vinyl has adhered to the doors and units effectively, so it won't start peeling unexpectedly any time soon (although heat may cause this in some cases).
Of course, you will need to maintain it. Keeping the vinyl free of a scratch can be difficult, and regular cleaning will certainly be necessary, but if you care for your vinyl wrap it can certainly last in your kitchen for a long time.
A wrapping project should last up to 10 years before it needs to be replaced.
The cost of the job really depends on who you're hiring. An elite vinyl wrap job will cost more than one from a novice. Hire professionals who really know what they're doing, and the cost may be a little higher, but the quality of the finish will be much better. And material costs change all the time.
With that said, you can expect a medium-sized kitchen with the vast majority of worktops, drawers and units being covered for a total cost of around £1200 to £2000. Remember, of course, that this finish will last for around 10 years too, so that's a very reasonable price!
Still need convincing that vinyl wrap is a great idea? Then check out our honest pros and cons below!
You'll know if this method is right for you if you're somebody who actually likes your kitchen's layout, but just fancies a new look. If you love bold colours and patterns, and want to protect the surface of your cabinet, door, or cupboard, etc, all for a reasonable price, then vinyl wrap is for you.
Save a little time to do your research before jumping in your car and picking out the wrap from a local shop, though. You want to be sure this is the right move for you. But if you're confident, then this can be a great way to transform your kitchen for a relatively small amount of money!
Kitchen wrapping can really make a huge difference to your life. Just make sure you hire professionals if you're not confident about getting stuck in yourself. Then you can be certain that the results will be high quality, long lasting, and incredibly stylish!
Revamping your kitchen is a great idea. Sometimes you need a refresh in order to feel good in a room, and your kitchen is no exception. With that said, kitchens are often the last room in the house to get an update, because so many of us believe it's a huge task that will cost a lot of money.
But is that fair to say?
Well, it depends which route you go down. You could buy a whole new kitchen, of course, achieve a flawless finish and get great results after completely tearing out your existing kitchen and starting again. But that will cost you a lot of money.
Alternatively, you could try vinyl wrapping or spray painting - both of which will yield amazing results, whilst saving you a considerable amount of money.
But which is best for you?
Before you decide if you want to spend the money on a kitchen remodel, you first need to decide what the problem with the current setup is for you.
Of course, if you hate the layout and find it doesn't work for you, and if the kitchen cupboards are rundown, broken, and very old, then newer kitchen units and a new layout would make a lot of sense, right?
But if the fundamentals of your kitchen don't feel wrong to you, then why spend all that money on a remodel that could potentially cost a lot and take at least a few months to complete?
If you want quick results, then consider a vinyl wrap or spray paint approach instead. This can completely transform your kitchen cabinets and kitchen doors in no time at all, for a fraction of the cost.
These two options aren't your only options, though. Other options are available, but we often find that kitchen cabinets that have been vinyl wrapped or spray painted can get a desired new look much faster than most other options, all whilst providing a durable, cost effective solution to your problem.
If you decide to go ahead with kitchen spraying or vinyl wrapping, then you're going to need to learn more about the process, right? To make sure it's the right option for you...
Spray painting your kitchen involves professionals coming in with spray paint and a spray gun, and completely transforming the cupboards and units in your kitchen. A kitchen spray is quick, but you will obviously need to factor in the time it takes for the team to protect any areas of your kitchen that aren't going to be sprayed, and for the cupboards to dry after the new colour has been applied.
Once the kitchen cupboards have been spray painted and dried, the new look will be long-lasting. You also get a lot of control over the transformation, since you can choose between different finishes like matte, satin, or a gloss finish.
Spray paint is a great option for those wanting a permanent change with a smooth finish to suit you.
Vinyl wrap is slightly different. This involves covering your kitchen cupboards in a vinyl wrap, where professionals simply peel off the back of it and stick it to your kitchen cupboards and units, transforming them in almost any colour or pattern you could imagine.
For this reason, vinyl wrap offers a unique finish. The colour and pattern can be individualised to suit you, and the resulting cupboard can be entirely bespoke. But this is just a short-term fix.
Since the vinyl wrap is just designed to stick to the cupboards, they can be peeled off again. This is great if you want to keep your options open, but it also means the finish isn't as durable, since it can just peel away from the cupboards. When vinyl wrap does this, it can be difficult to glue it back on smoothly, meaning the finish isn't always the best.
It is, however, cost effective and much more individualistic than standard spray paint.
So those are the two main options you have when you want to transform your kitchen for less money than a remodel. But which one is best for you? Well, to help you decide that, we'll present some pros and cons of each below.
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CONS:
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Really, the choice is yours. If you're looking for a short-term solution that will cost less money and give you a lot of control creatively over the finished look, then vinyl wrap is a great option. For those seeking a long-term fix that will last much longer and require next to no maintenance, then spray paint is a great idea.
It's easy to get a new look in your kitchen with both vinyl wrap and spray painting. Which is better for you, though, really depends. After all, it all comes down to the individual and what they're looking for. Long-term vs short-term fix. Your budget. How much creative choice you'd like to have. Which finished look you personally prefer. These are all factors that need considering.
Either way, vinyl wrap and spray paint are both great options when you want to transform the look of your kitchen quickly for a fraction of the cost of a remodel. But make sure you decide which is best for you before you start, so you don't regret your choice later.
