I love to thrift. I found these worn bulletin boards for a dollar each at a thrift store awhile ago. I had them sitting in my basement for a different project originally, but ended up using them in my office space instead.
I had all of the products on hand to redo these boards, but it still would be pretty inexpensive to make if you went out and re did them purchasing materials for it.
Materials
- Old pin boards, cork, or foam
- Quilt batting
- Fabric of choice, the looser weave fabric options like burlap will hide pin marks better over time
- Handheld staple gun
- Staples
- Sawtooth hanging hardware
- Upholstery tacks ( optional)
- Magazines to clip inspiration from
Step 1: Covering the cork boards
Both of my cork boards were still in good enough shape to use. They still had lots of pinning life left in them. I used quilt batting to wrap them initially. I cut a piece of batting just bigger than the board. I did this twice since I had two boards.
Then after cutting out the squares of batting, I secured it by laying the cork board face down on top of the batting, and pulling the excess over the edges towards the back. I then used my handheld staple gun to secure the batting into place. I went along each edge of the back, making sure that there wasn’t any loose spots or weird gaps anywhere.
I did this for both cork boards, making sure that the batting was pulled tight across the front of the boards, and there wasn’t any wrinkles.
Step 2: Fabric
To cut the size of the fabric needed for each cork board cover, I measured the same way I did with the batting. I laid the cork board ( now covered in batting) face down onto the fabric, and cut around them leaving about 2-3″ on each edge.
Then I used my staple gun and secured the fabric to the back of the cork boards the same way that I did with the batting. I pulled tight, hand stapling as I went, making sure that the fabric didn’t gap or pull anywhere weird. I checked the front side of the cork board several times to make sure there were no wrinkles or weird spots.
I stapled all the way along each edge and then cut off any excess fabric from the backside that would cause bulk when hanging.
Step 3: Add hanging hardware
This step is important if you don’t already have hangers for them on the back.
I chose sawtooth hangers, because they are what I had on hand, and they are easy to use.
I attached a small nail through each side hole of the hangers, trying as much as possible to hang them evenly.
Step 4: Embellish
This is the most fun part. I used upholstery tacks that I had left over from another project to embellish the fronts of these boards. I put one in each corner, just pushing it through the fabric and into the cork board. I liked the weathered look they added.
I bought some tacks at the dollar store. I found several different kinds, but found that ones with a longer pin worked best. Since the fabric is pulled tight, it has a hard time with the shorter tacks, and they tend to just pop out.
I went through some of my favorite magazines, and clipped things that inspired me. I chose things specific to the bathroom project, since that is the big project that I am working on right now. I am hoping to finish by spring break…. hopefully with the most recent setbacks, that is still realistic… fingers crossed.
I glued a bunch of the magazine clippings on some black cardstock, and pinned to my bulletin board. I love having it right by my desk to inspire me while I work.
I plan to switch out the things on the board with each project, which will keep it fresh and inspirational for me.
Thanks for being here! Hope this was a helpful tutorial. If you want to see more tutorials like this, check out my Instagram at: Determined_DIY for video reels weekly.
-Amanda