Our top pick, the Duck Smooth Top EasyLiner, has a non-adhesive grip bottom, features a smooth surface that makes it easy to access bulky items, and is machine washable. Here are the best shelf liners. The Smooth Top EasyLiner is a simple, affordable, and effective option for your home’s shelves and drawers, and that’s why it’s our top pick. The vinyl material comes in 12- and 20-inch widths to fit most standard cabinets. This material is also super durable for housing dishes, pots, pans, bathroom products, cleaning products, and whatever else you might find storing on your shelves. This liner has a non-adhesive grip on the bottom to keep the liner in place without damaging your cabinets. This grip doesn’t leave sticky residue behind, so you can rest easy if you’re a renter. The downside is an initial plastic-like smell when you first unroll the liner, so be prepared. The product’s smooth top makes it easy to slide items across the surface so you can easily retrieve your plates and bowls. You’ll notice that it, for the most part, stays in its place and is also easy to clean thanks to its machine-washable design. You can run it through a cold wash cycle if it develops grime. It’s worth noting that the grooves you’d cut along to fit it to your specific cabinet aren’t always even. You may need to settle with a slightly angled design to get a perfect rectangle. Price at time of publish: $17 Dimensions: 12 inches x 20 feet | Material: Vinyl | Color: Plaid sandstone, white | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive The liner is also easy to cut with a pair of kitchen scissors and the woven construction provides cushioning for items placed on top. It can stick to the surface of a cabinet, or the items you place on it, and loosen from its spot on the shelf. If there’s a big mess, the liner won’t contain spills either, but it can be tossed in your washer. Ultimately, its value is hard to beat, even if its performance could be a bit better. Price at time of publish: $10 Dimensions: 12 inches x 10 feet | Material: Plastic | Color: Brownstone, light grey | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive Since the liner has a smooth fabric surface, it won’t snag delicate clothes, too, making it particularly ideal for linen closets or dresser drawers. If you’d like to tailor the liner to your needs, guiding lines will help you make cuts. A pair of kitchen scissors is typically strong enough to cut through the natural-looking and very attractive fabric. Now, the edges can fray, especially when you’re resizing the liner. For a clean look, you need to address these frays after each cut or stick to tucking the liner into a drawer. Price at time of publish: $15 Dimensions: 16 inches x 5 feet | Material: Cotton canvas with a PVC backing | Color: Natural | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive This Duck brand shelf liner comes in rolls that are 20 inches wide and either 15 or 30 feet long. Either length could be ample material to complete a project, depending on its size, but the adhesive backing can make it more complicated to use. With that in mind, you may want to order an extra roll in case of mishaps or give yourself extra time to install the product in your space. You may notice when installing the liner that it’s not super thick. Notably, the liner can be used for decorating, resurfacing tables and counters, or even crafting with die-cutting machines like a Cricut. However, when resurfacing, know that it’s most effective at covering scratches—not dark spots and holes. Price at time of publish: $17 Dimensions: 12 inches x 15 feet | Material: Vinyl | Color: White | Adhesive Type: Adhesive Not to mention, the liners are unscented. However, if you want to keep your clothes or linens smelling fresh, you can use fragrance spray on the paper when you install them or slip a dryer sheet underneath. The corners may curl at first, and require some extra handling and care at the time of installation. Apply your own adhesive at the points or lay a heavy book on top of the liner for a few hours to fix this issue. Price at time of publish: $15 Dimensions: 18 inches x 2 feet | Material: Paper | Color: White | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive Notably, a self-adhesive backing works to keep the liners in place on your shelves or in your drawers. The spongy material prevents items from scratching the surface below as well. If you have extra laying around your space after your project has wrapped, you can use the product for all sorts of different purposes, such as crafting chair leg pads. Despite being made of cork, the liner is easy to cut. However, it’s not thick enough for crafting a cork board, and it may be super curled up at first and require flattening. Price at time of publish: $21 Dimensions: 18 inches x 4 feet | Material: Cork | Color: Natural cork | Adhesive Type: Self-adhesive and removable What really sets these liners apart from others is they can be used on regular shelving and wire shelving. To install them, simply trim them with a utility knife or a heavy-duty pair of scissors to the correct size. (This task may take some elbow grease.) They have a ribbed texture on both sides for a better grip. This texture can make cleaning harder, but also prevents any kind of slipping from happening on a day-to-day basis. Price at time of publish: $24 Dimensions: 17.5 inches x 20 feet | Material: Ethylene-vinyl acetate | Color: Clear | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive Notably, the squishy liner will ultimately prevent items from scratching your shelves and can be used for other applications, as well, such as opening jars and cushioning cutting boards. If your shelves are large or small, there’s also a variation for you. This product comes in several widths, including 12, 16, 17.5, 20, and 24 inches, and lengths ranging from 10 to 30 feet. It’s not the best at staying put on shelves, but it is very durable, which is key. Plus, there’s a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from. Price at time of publish: $25 Dimensions: 12 inches x 20 feet | Material: Not listed | Color: Beige | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive Rolls are available in both 12- and 16-inch widths. You can cut it down to size using a standard pair of scissors. Before purchasing, you’ll want to be aware of the fact that the corners can roll up at first, making the product difficult to install. If and when you resize the product, the tab placemat can also make cutting difficult. It’s most suitable for a space that fits the dimensions right from the get-go. Price at time of publish: $14 Dimensions: 12 inches x 10 feet | Material: High-density polyethylene plastic | Color: Clear | Adhesive Type: Locking This attractive shelf liner is easy to cut into any shape or size you desire, and it can even be washed if it gets particularly dirty. (Thanks to a plastic-like material on top, you can even wipe up small spills in between larger cleans.) A downside? There’s no adhesion, so this shelf liner will slip around if it’s not stuck to the surface with either tape or another self-made adhesive. Price at time of publish: $12 Dimensions: 12 inches x 10 feet | Material: Not listed | Color: Multiple patterns and colors | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive You can cut them to fit your cabinet and the edges won’t fray. Not to mention, you can machine or hand-wash the mats to keep the material clean and looking brand new. An added bonus is the product is made with recycled materials, which justifies the higher price tag for some. It can also give you a sense of relief when installed next to a water-loving appliance, whether it be a dishwasher, washing machine, or refrigerator with an ice and water dispenser. Price at time of publish: $24 Dimensions: 24 inches x 4.92 feet | Material: Polyester | Color: Indigo | Adhesive Type: Non-adhesive Start by considering where you want to use the shelf liners. If you’re planning to use them on open shelving where they’ll be seen, you may want to opt for decorative paper liners. Next, consider the items that’ll be placed on them. Clothes will need a surface that’s smooth and snag-free, while the glasses in your kitchen may need something that’s moisture-wicking.
Adhesion
When it comes to shelf liners, there are two main adhesion types: adhesive and non-adhesive. As you might be able to guess, adhesive liners have a sticky material on the back that keeps them in place. However, this is naturally a more permanent solution and can leave residue on your shelves when removed. If you’re renting, adhesive liners may not be the best option for you. Non-adhesive liners, on the other hand, usually have some type of non-slip material on the bottom to keep them in place. However, they can still be shifted if heavy objects are dragged across them. Some liners are removable or self-adhesive. A removable shelf liner is adhesive, but won’t typically leave damage or residue behind. Self-adhesive shelf liners give you the option to add adhesion, or not.
Size
When you’re shopping for shelf liners, you’ll want to measure the width and depth of the shelf or drawer where you plan to use them. Many shelf liners on the market are 12, 18, or 20 inches wide. Choosing the proper size will save you a lot of work during installation, as you won’t likely need to measure, cut, and resize the product yourself. Taking into account the depth of your shelves will also ensure you purchase enough product to complete your project.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester who’s an expert on all things home. When selecting products for this list, she considered the material of the liners, the size, and any special features, as well as the product’s reviews from real users. She also interviewed Hannah Goetz, a professional organizer and owner of Hannah Goetz Organizing, for insights on how to select shelf liners and why they’re beneficial in the home. In addition, some shelf liners have features, such as a grippy surface, that prevent items from shifting around. This is particularly ideal for those living in an RV or camper, as the liner will stop items from moving around and breaking while you’re on the go. Finally, some shelf liners have a purely decorative purpose, adding a pop of visual interest to open shelving or frequently used drawers.
