If you love the luxurious look of a marble accent wall, but don’t like the price. Check out this faux marble laminate accent wall DIY!
How to make a laminate sheet accent wall
When I started building a new kitchen island to replace the old one, I knew I wanted to do something cool with the front wall of it.
Last summer I built a faux marble electric fireplace and tv wall from laminate sheets in my living room. And my kitchen and living room are open to each other. So, I thought it would be fun to try to add a marble laminate accent wall to the front to my island.
Can laminate be used on walls?
This was my second time attaching laminate to a vertical surface. I used glue and spacer boards this time.
The first time I was able to get to the back of the wall where I was attaching it to and use screws like you would with laminate countertop.
Laminate sheets are thin sheets of building material that come in many different colors and patterns.
They are usually made of paper and resins that are pressed together.
There are many different building materials that come with laminate already attached like countertops and flooring.
They also sell laminate in sheets that you can use for different projects!
The basic principle of using laminate sheeting is that you cut it large with a saw. Then, glue it with contact cement to mdf or plywood and route the edges to get a nice clean edge. Then you can attach it to the project you are working on. And you have to attach it some way from the back because you wouldn’t want to nail through the front of the laminate.
Laminate accent wall – video
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Tools + Materials
Tools
Materials
Step 1: Measure and cut
I started making my laminate accent wall by measuring the space where I will be attaching it.
As I explained above, the laminate should be attached to mdf or plywood and then installed on the wall.
So, first, I used my measurements to cut a piece of 1/4 inch plywood.
My finished laminate accent wall needed to fit in between the waterfall counter of my island and the floor. So, I subtracted 1/4 inch from the length and width measurements so that I could slide it into that space.
I used my circular saw and Kreg Accu cut to cut a piece of 1/4 inch thick plywood.
Step 2: Attach laminate to plywood
Next I attached the laminate to the plywood using contact cement.
I followed the instructions on the back of the can of contact cement and applied it to the laminate sheet and plywood using a foam roller. I used two coats applied twenty minutes apart.
Then, once the contact cement was dry, I placed dowels on top of the laminate.
And placed the plywood on top.
It is very important that you do not let the laminate and mdf, that have glue applied, touch until you have the laminate where you want it on the mdf.
You will NOT be able to reposition the laminate on the mdf once the two glued sides have touched.
Starting from the center, I removed the middle dowel and I used a j roller to apply pressure to attach the laminate sheet to the plywood.
Then I worked my way down to the ends using this same technique to get the laminate stuck to the plywood.
I flipped the laminate over to the top and I pressed it onto the plywood, using a j roller, to attach it well.
After I allowed the glue to dry for about 24 hours, I trimmed the edges of the laminate flush with the plywood using a router and flush trim bit.
Step 3: Attach laminate to wall
I didn’t want to. And I don’t recommend gluing laminate, or much of anything really, directly to a wall (in this case my cabinets).
I had a bad experience once trying to remove a mirror that had been directly glued to a dry walled wall. And I will never put myself or anyone else through that again.
To attach my laminate/plywood I decided to use strips of wood nailed to the cabinets, that I could then apply glue to attach my laminate/plywood.
First, I cut approximately two inch strips of 1/4 inch plywood using my circular saw and Kreg rip cut.
And then I cut those strips down into pieces that I could attach to the edges of my cabinets (where there is 3/4 in plywood to nail into).
Then I attached the strips as seen below, using small nails.
Lastly, I applied liquid nails paneling adhesive to the wood strips.
And pressed the plywood/laminate panel onto the front of my kitchen island.
There wasn’t any way I could use clamps or anything like that. So, I pressed on it for a long time to make sure it was stuck.
The liquid nails paneling adhesive worked ok. It’s not like anyone will be dancing on the side of my kitchen island. But, it didn’t stick as well as I would have liked in spots. So next time I will probably try using a different adhesive.
“Marble” kitchen island laminate accent wall reveal
I like the way the faux marble laminate looks on the front of the kitchen island.
And even better, I did it myself for much less than real marble.
Now I’ve used faux marble laminate on counters, a fireplace tv wall, and a kitchen island! Where should I try it next?
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