Wrapping kitchen counters with contact paper vs painting them — I've done both and wrapping was superior

Collage of my kitchen counters with left side showing white painted counters and right side showing wood effect contact paper wrapping on counters.

If you hate your kitchen counters and wondering which is the better budget fix, wrapping with adhesive contact paper or painting them, then I can help.

I’ve done both in the last two years and the one I chose to do first — painting my kitchen counters — didn’t have longevity so I gave wrapping my counters a go next. In this comparative guide, I explain why I tried these two kitchen counter makeover techniques, what I loved and loathed about each, my top tips, product recommendations and which method came out on top (spoiler: it was wrapping).