DIY Classroom Whiteboard Table

I recently made my small group kidney table into a whiteboard table! Thanks to WallPops! I’ve been eyeing people on the GRAM and Pinterest with their DIY classroom whiteboard tables and I just had to have one! This is a great way to create your own without spending a ton of money or time. Some people painted their tables, but my school wouldn’t allow it, so this was the best I could do!

I had posted the finished table over on my Instagram, so I thought I’d host more of an FAQ about it here.

What brand of paper did you use?

WallPops, NUWALLPAPER Dry Erase Peel and Stick Wall Paper
USE CODE: JEN15 for 15% off at checkout!

How many rolls did you need?

Just ONE roll of their Dry Erase Wall Paper fit my entire (average size) kidney table! With a small sheet left. The size of their roll is 20.5 inches and 18 feet on the roll.

How do you apply it?

A few tips for application and overlay:
1. Get a buddy (they make it SO much faster and easier to lay straight), but if not, YOU CAN DO IT
2. Wipe your table clean before you start
3. Have a box cutter & smoothing tool available (or a wallpaper application kit-Amazon affiliate link)
4. Keep the paper in a roll form as you go

5. Lay the first piece down in the largest area (mine was basically the center of the table)

6. Use a level (I used my iPhone) to make sure it’s straight across and draw a line with a whiteboard marker so as you go you’re laying down the paper in a straight line

7. Stretch it fairly tight as you apply (another good reason to have a buddy)
8. Overlap the paper just a little bit (another reason to have a buddy)

How do you get the bubbles out?

Use a clipboard or whiteboard or any large plastic smoothing item or wallpaper applicator like this one on Amazon (affiliate link). Also, this paper is SUPER easy to apply (and I’ve used a few different types of contact paper), which doesn’t leave too many bubbles to push out (plus they easily come out if you push them out as you go). Make sure you go slow, you can always peel some off if it bubbles too much. I also found if you sort of stretch it as you go it applies better (this is why you may want two people).

How do you get it to stay down?

Make sure to stick some tape around the edges of the table to kids don’t want to peel it up for you!

How do you cut the sides?

Using a box cutter or razor of some sort, find the area between the wood of the table and the black edging. Slide the razor along there and it guides you all around the table! Be gentle and slow incase you slip out of the area or else you’ll cut into the paper on the table.

Does it erase well?

Since it is a wall paper vs. actual white board, it can be tough but, in my experience, it works if you have the right tools.
Using decent markers like Expo* is helpful (blue actually come off the best in my opinion).
Using the dry erase spray from WallPops with a paper towel is great or wipes*!
Using a microfiber towel* works great too.
*Amazon Affilate Links

Why didn’t you paint your table?

I think the whiteboard paint idea is great too! I am not able to do that much to the school furniture, so I opted for something that also could be removed! Yes, this is removable with little to no residue!

*I was compensated for my blog post by WallPops, but the opinions are my own.*