I think contact paper would look worse than old real wood trim.

@User Well that's why I asked if anyone's had experience using contact paper, a non-permanent decorating tool, on wood. It's not my intention to damage any property hence why I asked. I have no plans set in stone but am rather brainstorming how to strategically decorate in a way that is best suitable for both myself and my landlord. However, thank you for your input!

Yes, I have used Contact on wood when I covered some shelves. There is no way to remove it without damaging the wood. Three things can happen: it will not pull off, it will pull off but leave sticky glue on the wood, or only part of it will pull off. Renters should only spend money on things that can go to the next apartment or a new home. Don’t put money into someone else’s property.

Don’t use contact paper on someone else’s property. Contact paper is a mess and will damage the surface when removed. When you move out, the property must be left as you found it. No permanent changes

Congratulations on your apartment! Very exciting.

I actually haven't seen contact paper in a long time but I think they used to advertise it as easily removable As just about everyone here has cautioned, it is not easy to remove. It's not what you want to do.

I agree too that if you are renting, it really doesn't serve you well to put time and money into changing the property. Just accept that the backdrop is permanent and get the furnishings and accessories you like and can take with you.

We once rented a house whose previous owner had done a whole ”feature” wall in wood grain contact paper. The new owners came one day and asked if we’d mind if they repainted, whatever colours we liked. As the decor was really not our style (flock Baroque wallpaper etc), we said, “Heck no! We’ll help!”

The contact paper left a ton of glue on the wall, we scraped and sanded and tried methylated spirits and probably other things but we couldn’t entirely remove it, so we had to paint over the lumps of glue left behind and call it good. It was still a vast improvement.

I use contact paper on wood, but I use thumb tacks to hold it down and don’t peel off the back. I don’t know if it still exists but there also used to be shelf liner paper

Can you post some photos? Maybe that will be helpful for suggestions. I’ve been in my rental place for 15 years, and consider it my home, and therefore have made numerous upgrades to make it right for me. Certainly they are benefitting my homeowner/landlord. There are many considerations to making improvements in a rental, for sure.

@gargamel that skins like a great idea to me . ill be using contact paper on my counter & ill try the thumb tack trick for the cabinets