One of the ways we’ve made our home fit our family is by adding a desk in the dining room. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it really helps organize papers and mail, both as they come in our home and as they go. For holidays and parties, we just clear it off and it becomes a sideboard for serving food. It’s become a mini-office, and a wonderful tool for keeping us organized and taming the avalanche of papers in our life.
Bulletin boards are a utilitarian part of most offices, and I knew having one would be incredibly helpful for our family– but very ugly for our dining room. That’s when it occurred to me I could make my own bulletin board, make it pretty, and do so for about $12. REALLY. It’s become one of my favorite things in our home, our beautiful family ‘command center’, sprinkled with important memos and kid produced art and special photos too.
At first I decided to simply hang beautiful things like fabric samples and poetry, and perhaps a favorite business card or two.
Then I added some important pieces of paper I didn’t want to lose like our Jim Gaffigan tickets, permission slips, and losing Powerball tickets.
Next, a few favorite cards jumped on board simply because they made me happy.
It would be silly not to tuck a favorite photo in here and there, right?
Of course, the prolific art that started coming home from school needed a place to live. It soon became apparent this bulletin board was meant to hold that sweet art, with the added benefit that my kids are so stinkin’ proud to see it displayed.
For such a huge game-changer, the bulletin board itself cost next to nothing. The foam board was about $10, plus a few bucks for the thumbtack trim. The fabric was a piece I’ve had for years (I think it was waiting for it’s moment to shine!), so this project cost about $12 TOTAL. Want to make one too? Here’s how!
DIY Bulletin Board Tutorial
I knew I’d need a big car to transport the foam board home for the size I wanted. After stealing my husband’s SUV and making a break for it, I found exactly what I was looking for at Lowes– a huge piece of foam insulation board.
The material is very light and comes in large sizes so you can definitely make your bulletin board as big as you want. I’d recommend measuring the trunk of whichever vehicle you took to the store, because this stuff is BIG. The board was way bigger than the trunk of our Honda Pilot, so thankfully the size I wanted for the finished board (3′ X 5′) would also fit in our SUV.
Which is about the extent of my math skills. Please don’t force me to tell you how long it took to calculate that.
The guy at Lowes happily cut it to size, so I was able to carry it to the car myself (awkwardly, because I’m carrying a huge mother freaking board. but still, it was light enough to haul to my car without issue. just maybe not on a windy day or you might sail away.)
Once home, I test drove several fabrics to see which looked best. Originally I thought I was going to use either a white or oatmeal colored linen, but after trying this piece I knew it was the one!
Then I ironed the fabric so there were no wrinkles. Sidenote: when I hung it up, it looked like this:
I’m as good at ironing as I am at math, apparently.
But I digress. Iron that fabric, realllllly well. Then place the fabric face down on your floor. Place the foam insulation on top of it. Wrap the fabric around the sides making sure it’s straight, smooth, and even. Attach the fabric to the back, using large pieces of clear packing tape (or duct tape or flat thumbtacks. whatever floats your boat).
I’d show you pics, but this was a job that needed both hands all the way through. Plus my husband’s hands. It was all-hands on deck.
To hang, I simply drilled screws right through it into the wall. I’m calling the exposed screws ‘industrial chic.’ It’s really light, way lighter than an actual corkboard, so hanging it was a cinch.
Plus if you don’t like the look of the exposed screws you can just cover it with something else, like a favorite Christmas card.
I wanted to give it the look of nailhead trim so I bought a few boxes of thumbtacks to place around the border. Which ended up looking like I was Thumbtacking Under the Influence. So I took them out and thumbtacked around the edges instead, for a much better result (and no arrests for Drunk Thumbtacking).
So that’s the story of how my dining room acquired a gigantic bulletin board, and how that bulletin board acquired a lot of photos and art, and how those memories make our house a home.
Plus how I still have a garland of Christmas stars hanging from our chandelier. But that’s a story for another day.
Would this idea work for your home? What would you display on your ginormous bulletin board?
Linking up to: Home Stories A to Z :: My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia :: Todays Creative Blog :: Between Naps on the Porch :: Restoration Redoux
Tricia says
Oh, I love this! So pretty for everyday use!
Carrie says
Thanks so much! I love that it’s practical, but when I went a clean space I can take everything off and it doubles as a wall treatment. 😉
jenny says
Hey, hey!!! <3
I think I might actually put Alex on a project like this for down in the kitchen.
Anna Lee Gresham says
This is genius! All of the other DIY bulletin boards I’ve seen look way too complicated and involved for this DIY-challenged girl. I’ve been looking for something for my home office, and this is it! Thank you!!
(Oh, and I also LOVED the Dawn and vinegar combo you blogged about a while back for cleaning the shower. It works and is amazing. My shower and my kiddos thank you.)
Carrie says
If I can do it, ANYONE can do it! I’m pretty DIY challenged myself, I tend to rush things but this was very easy. It’s helpful to have an extra set of hands and eyes to make sure it’s straight, but other than that very simple. I’m so glad the Dawn/vinegar combo worked, I feel SO much better using that than chemical based cleaners. In fact, I just washed our bathmat in the washing machine using only vinegar instead of bleach and knew it was the right decision as soon as I saw my kids’ tushes sitting on it while taking a bath. 😉 Thanks for letting me know you liked that tip, that means the world to me!
Anne @ DesignDreamsbyAnne says
love the fabric and those tacks!! Awesome job!
Clydia says
This is GENIUS! Off to Home Depot I go!! 😀
Carrie says
YAY! Let me know how it turns out!!
Paula@SweetPea says
I love the fabric that you used for this project. It’s great to create something pretty for your home that’s also functional.
malia says
Great tute Carrie… I am inspired. xo
kristin says
So pretty love the fabric!
Mary Beth @ Cupcakes and Crinoline says
Carrie, this is so pretty. I love the fabric and the thumbtack trim and also the fact that it is so useful!
Cynthia Weber says
Great idea, I love it! I found this post through Looksi, can’t wait to see what you do next!
Trina says
Hey! That is a cool bulletin board. And the fabric looks familiar. Oh yeah, I used it for my duvet cover! I think we both have really good taste! Maybe you would like to check it (if you are so inclined). ~Trina
http://afewmineradjustments.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-make-duvet-cover-after-my-last.html
Carrie says
I love that fabric, it makes me so happy! It’s neutral and pretty. Thanks for sharing your link!
Katherine says
This is so cute! I’ve been looking for a good (cheap) way to make a bulletin board. Could you tell me what the thickness of the foam board you used is please? Thanks so much!
Carrie says
Hi Katherine! It’s a little hard for me to tell because it’s now wrapped in fabric, but I believe it’s about 3/4 of an inch. As long as it’s thicker than a thumbtack the foam board should work. Hope that helps!
Katherine says
Thanks so much! I looked the product up on the Lowe’s website and this is what I came up with: “Expanded Polystyrene Insulated Sheathing” http://www.lowes.com/pd_15358-46086-451156_0__?productId=3365576&Ntt=foam+insulation+board.
They didn’t seem to have any product that looked like the one in your image with the same name as your one in the picture (“Extruded Polystyrene Insulation Board”). Do you think that the one in the URL is the same/would work as well?
This should hopefully be my last question 🙂 Thanks for the help and the inspiration!
Carrie says
Hi Katherine, try this link:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_304091-210-304091.0_0__?productId=3122449&Ntt=extruded+polystyrene&pl=1¤tURL=%3FNtt%3Dextruded%2Bpolystyrene&facetInfo=
I can’t tell 100%, but my link looks more like what I used– it’s green and has the words ‘extruded polystyrene’. When you go, the insulation sheets should be close together and you should be able to find it there. Good luck, let me know if you find it!
Wrighty says
I love your finished product! I wanted to make a bulletin board for my 94 year-old grandmother who lives in an assisted living facility. I found the link to your blog on Pinterest. Thanks for the great photos and easy to follow directions! I’m making one this weekend! 🙂
Carrie says
She’ll love it! Let me know how it turns out and snap a picture and send it to me!
Heidi says
That’s the easiest, and classiest, tutorial for a bulletin board I have seen, think this is the one for me! It looks fabulous.
heather says
Your bulletin board looks great! I want to make a large one for my daughter’s room. I’ve been debating what kind of cork-like material to use – cork squares, cork sheet, and now… “Expanded Polystyrene Insulated Sheathing”
Do you feel like the pins stay in the sheathing as well as in cork? I just don’t want her art and stuff falling down. Thanks!!!
Carrie says
They stay in REALLY well. I just use regular thumbtacks and they work perfectly, just as good as cork!
Heather says
Thanks! I read on another blog that she added a layer of cork between the board and fabric, but that’s a whole extra step and added expense. Thanks again!
Michele says
My mother has a DIY bulletin board that I think she really loves. The kind where you tuck a picture behind the crisscross ribbon strips. Sadly it is falling apart; ribbon are loose and it looks a mess. I have been looking for instructions for an updated version of that. I like that this doesnt have a picture frame, but does have the tacks to hold everything together. I might add the crisscross ribbon, just cause I know she likes it. I am thinking of a Saturday project for my mom, my sister and I to work on while I am home Easter weekend. 🙂 Maybe a little wine or a few mojitos. We might be doing a little tipsy tacking.
Carrie says
Crafting + Mojitos = perfection. Can I come? Haha! The crisscross ribbon would look great, and you can always stick a tack at the top too for extra security once you’ve tucked something in the ribbon. Have fun!
Lauren Michelle says
I love this! I have been looking for ideas for my writing office and I wanted to put up a bulletin board for my story ideas and timelines, etc. This is perfect! And I get to pick out cute fabric. 🙂
Jennifer Holmes says
This was JUST what I was looking for!! Thank you..and you are SO FUNNY! I really enjoyed reading this!!
Carrie Higgins says
So glad! Let me know if you make it, I’d love to see pics!
Denise says
Do you think I could cover this with paper and border for a classroom?
Carrie Higgins says
Yes, it should work really well for that!
Margo says
I just came across this as I was googling how to create a bulletin board and some are super complicated and require a lot of steps, but I found yours and I love how easy it is and cannot wait to try it…especially since you just used clear tape instead of a glue gun…(I tend to burn myself) Thanks so much for posting!
Carrie Higgins says
I’m so glad you found the tutorial! It really is SO easy, just some clear tape and maybe an extra set of hands to hold the fabric while you tape. Enjoy, and let me know if you make it!
Cascades says
Wow, this is so pretty and lovely! I am a highly DIY challenged person and this seems like something even I might be able to pull off!
Carrie Higgins says
I’m highly DIY challenged as well, so trust me– if I can do it, anyone can!
Rita Menold says
Did you have trouble with the styrafoam wanting to flake? I bought my insulation foam board this morning, and was wondering about putting a coat of paint on it first. Thinking maybe it would be less flaky, etc. Thoughts?
Love this idea!
Carrie Higgins says
Hi Rita! My insulation board was covered on both sides with a very thin layer of what appears to be plastic (or a shiny coat of some kind). It keeps the foam from flaking. You might give it a try with just the fabric over it, since the fabric will keep any flakes contained. Let me know how it goes!
Rita Menold says
Ok. When i picked it up, it was more “styrafoamy” than what I was expecting, so that’s I thought about painting it before covering it. We’ll see ho it goes.
Paula@SweetPea says
I liked this project when you first introduced it to us and I still like it today! Thanks so much for sharing it on Throwback Thursday.
Kimberly @ Colors Mixed Together says
Very very cute idea! I love it!
Sarah @ Economist at Home says
I was about to spend a fortune on cork board, etc… and then I found your post. This is genius!! I went out and bought the supplies right away. This is the perfect technique for making a BIG bulletin board. Mine is 6′ x 4′. It was fun and easy. I wrote about making mine (giving you credit for the idea, of course), and contributed a few tips on the process at: http://economistathome.com/2013/11/diy-bulletin-board/. For example, it helped to pin the fabric along the back first, and then tape it down. Also, if you can’t get a huge piece in your car, have halves cut and simply tape them together when you get home. I did that and it worked great.
Thanks for the great DIY idea!!
Carrie Higgins says
So glad I was able to help out, your finished project is GORGEOUS! Wasn’t it so much better than dropping a ton of money on cork? Thanks for sharing a link to my blog, too!
Angie says
Just saw this and I love it! I’d love to use this in my preschool office! How has this held up?
Carrie Higgins says
I have to say it’s held up beautifully! Looks as good as the day I put it up, and still holds tacks perfectly! It’ll be great for your preschool. 🙂
Jessica says
I love this idea i’m going to do this but add hinges to a few boards the same size when it’s done and make a room divider for my home office 🙂
knorm says
So glad I found this blog. My daughter is using baseball tickets as table placecards for her wedding and needed an inexpensive idea how to display them so that her guests could find their seats. She found a fabric panel of a baseball field and we’ll use it to cover the foamboard insulation. She’ll add a “Will Call” sign on top and hopefully we can find some kind of decorative baseball pin to hang them. The board will be inexpensive, light and easy to transport to the reception venue!
Thanks for the project directions!
Carrie Higgins says
So glad you liked the tutorial and love how you’re putting on your own unique spin. Best wishes!
Janice says
This is a wonderful idea and so easy except the getting it home part. LOL
I am a quilter and will be making one of these to hang squares on before quilting them together.
The fabric you are using is beautiful. What a great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.
Carrie Higgins says
A reader actually made this and gave a fantastic tip for getting it home– she cut it in half at the store, packed it in the car, and when she got home easily repaired it good as new with clear packing tape. Since you cover it up with fabric you end up not seeing that it’s in two parts! So don’t let the getting it home part scare you, definitely give it a try. 🙂
Verna Lamb says
Can we see the whole room?
Carrie Higgins says
Verna, I need to post an update on the room I just haven’t found the time– thanks for the incentive! I’ll do that soon and email you when the post goes up so you can see the room in it’s entirety. Thanks for the reminder!
Hajir Al says
This is amazing <3 i really want a bulletin board for my room and i need to start working on it soon before school. Thank you alot for the lovely post this turned out to be amazing,great job! <3 <3 <3
http://www.beautylish-life.com
Linda says
I came to your website to see what you used to construct your bulletin board, but also browse some of your blogs about your “misadventures.” I was touched by your stories. Tough times, but it sounds like your kids have absolutely wonderful parents, and your kids are very special also. I’m glad you “get” (a sacrificial choice, no doubt) to stay home with your kids instead of trying to juggle work outside the home with your family’s needs – an overwhelming prospect even when everything is “normal.” God bless you all, and may the rewards you reap for all the love you’re sowing be great. 🙂
Carrie Higgins says
You are super sweet and your comment really made my week! It’s been a struggle trying to juggle it all but you’re so right– my family comes first and I’m so incredibly thankful I’m able to stay home with my kids during this overwhelming yet all-to-brief season. 😉 May your blessings be great too!
Ashley says
Hello! This board looks AMAZING! I have a daycare and I am looking at making a few bulletin boards for our “classroom” and I was wondering how well this holds up? Do you pin lots of things regularly? I know I would witch out my board monthly and was wondering if this material will hold up to the constant change of fabric, and pins on it… Have you had a spot where it has already been punctured and then not hold as well? Even if I had to make a new board yearly thats fine! I just want to know so I can budget accordingly! Thanks!!
Carrie Higgins says
Hi Ashley! So far it’s holding up great. I’ve had it awhile now and do change things out regularly. I haven’t used it with staples though (not sure if you will either, but I was a teacher and used to staple the heck out of my bulletin boards.) Sometimes I try to repin to the same spot to “save” the fabric a bit but honestly after 2 years it still looks fab. I’d guess it would last at least one school year, if not longer. Though the changing of the fabric might be a bit harder since I haven’t done that, and mine is attached to the back so it would require me unscrewing the insulation board– but if you could figure out a work-around I think it will work well. Good luck, let me know if you try it!
Kaila says
This looks awesome, I’m SO trying it tomorrow! Thanks for the instructions!
PS I think you’re gorgeous!
xoxo Best wishes to you and your family
Taylor says
Hi! I am currently wanting to make a bulletin board for pictures and school related items. I’ve been planning on buying a large frameless corkboard ($17) and covering it in fabric using upholstery pins. This is the first time, however, that I’ve seen insulation foam board being used instead. What are your thoughts on the pros and cons of both? Will the cork last longer if I am changing pins out often? Does the foam hold the pins in place well?
Carrie Higgins says
I have to say I’m super impressed by how well the foam holds the pins. It’s been awhile since I’ve had a cork bulletin board so I can’t speak to that, but I can say the insulation board really does hold thumbtacks in well. That being said, $17 is a good price for a large corkboard so it’s not a bad option. Hope that helps!
Kae says
This is so clever! And it well help me fill the awkward, pain in the butt sized wall in my bedroom! I’ll definitely be doing this when I’m home from vacation next month! Thanks so much for posting it! (:
Courtney Walsh says
This is such an easy tutorial. We are looking to do this in our performing arts studio but I”m curious–did you screw right through the fabric to hang it up? 🙂
Carrie Higgins says
Hi Courtney, I did. I didn’t mind the ‘industrial’ look (that’s what I call anything of mine with visible screws, haha!) There are other ways to hang it I’m sure, but I felt that screwing it directly into the wall would help it stay flat as well as be the quickest way to hang it. Hope that helps!
Sandy says
It’s just awesome and so easy! I’ve been looking for something simple to make a message board. Can’t wait to try it out. 😀
Rho says
What a GREAT idea!!! Excellent job!
Monica says
Thank you so much for this. I made two to decorate the wall to my room and it looks great. I have pictures, ticket stubs, song lyrics, etc. It’s so nice to have it on the board instead of just cluttering my wall 🙂
Jan says
First of all, love this idea. I’m going to attempt to add this to the credenza at my desk. I used to have a $300+ one on my old desk and just can’t go through the hassle of asking my boss to approve another one. I’m going to make this and velcro fasten it to the back of the credenza, just under the shelves. My question is, what kind of fabric should I look for? Upholstery fabric? Thanks for the tips!
Jan
Carrie Higgins says
You can use any type of fabric you like, I liked the weight of the home decor fabric because it wasn’t too heavy OR too thin. Good luck, it’s going to be great!
Lorey says
Thank goodness for your total brilliance! I’m designing a new Homeschool/Playroom for the kiddoes and wanted a nice bulletin board for over their desks, but Holy Cow they are expensive when you want them GIANT! But this, THIS IS PERFECTION! I’m so excited! Thank you so much!
Jessica says
Hi Carrie!
This is a fabulous idea! I’ve been looking for a way to make a lightweight and portable version of a cubicle wall that I could use to hang things on (like a calendar) without making all kinds of holes in my walls. I started permanently working from home last year, and I’ve got all these cubicle wall clips I’m dying to put back into use (they look like this: http://www.staples.com/OIC-Translucent-Cubicle-Clips-Assorted-4-Pk/product_650578). Do you know if the foam board you bought would be able to handle repeated removal and repositioning of these types of clips? Or would you say it’s more made for thumbtacks and push pins?
Susan says
I am making two of these boards for my classroom. Do staples work on this as well as pins?
Carrie Higgins says
I just tested it out for you and the staples work beautifully!
Candace leigh says
Thank you for the great tips! Love your ideas….C
Rachel says
I just made two huge ones of these to back my built-in desk. I have to say it looks amazing and totally professional. It cost me all of about $52!!! Compare that to the high end price quote my designer gave me for vinyl grass-cloth wallpaper mounted on a board and attached to the wall ($2000) and I’d say this is NO – BRAINER! Thanks for the amazing idea. I’m so happy!
I used staples and they worked perfectly. And a little glue gun to get the corners tight.
Sheena says
I was looking for an inexpensive way to create a “cork board wall” for my son’s room when I came across your tutorial on pinterest. I can’t wait to give it a try. But I wanted to say thank you for answering questions in your comments because I too was wondering how well it would hold up. Sounds like your board is holding up well so off I go to Home Depot! Thanks!
Carrie Higgins says
It’s holding up beyond my wildest dreams! That being said, I haven’t let me son near it haha! But it should last awhile. Can’t wait to see your finished result!
Theresa says
Hi! I’m a little late to the party. I just came across this DIY the other day, took advantage of a 50% sale on home decor fabric, made it, and it came out AWESOME! All for under $20 😀 Thanks for the awesome DIY
Carrie Higgins says
That’s awesome! So glad you love it!! I’d be thrilled to feature it on my Facebook page if you want to send a photo. My email address is makinglemonadeblog at gmail dot com. Thanks for letting me know, this always makes my day! 🙂
joanie says
great idea, and won’t cost over $100 like at you-know-who-Barn! thank you!
Carrie Higgins says
Ha, the you-know-who-Barn made me laugh out loud! 🙂
Sam says
I know this is quite a few years old now, but I’m beyond thankful you still have it up. I’m planning on DIYing a coordinating bunch of office/craft storage/organization for my home office. Totes, bins, bulletin board, huge mouse pad that’ll also double as a craft pad… This makes the bulletin board a zinch! Knowing me, I’ll end up adding a couple of pockets for wall storage and such. I’m a bit pressed for space, haha.
How is yours holding up over all these years?
Carrie Higgins says
It held up GREAT! We actually just moved four states away and I still have it, I’m going to recover it with a different fabric for my new home but I have to say it held up way better than I imagined. Hopefully you’ll find the tutorial handy!
Jenny says
This is just what I was looking for for my daughter’s room! Did you poke holes through the fabric and/or board before screwing it to the wall to get the screws started?
Rebecca says
LOVE the colors you chose!!!! This turned out so cute!!
Rachna Alice George says
I had a small foam board with me and I was looking for ideas to make it into a memo board. Your post is simple and works wonderfully. Loved it.
Laurann Pluta says
This is perfect! Exactly what I need in my dining room. Now to pick fabric. What kinds do you recommend so it doesn’t show pin holes? Thanks
Tahira says
You are a hilarious writer. Loved the post and am going to try and use this for my DIY home desk project I’m working on! Thanks for the laughs and for the instructions!
Susan Dubose says
I love this! I totally need to make one for our home office!
Rimmy says
Yay, It’s a great idea to reuse our old tablecloth into a great covered bulletin board as your guide.
Carrie Higgins says
That’s a FANTASTIC idea!!
Malissa says
amazing?❤?❤ I love it
Thomas says
All Love! Thanks for your great sharing!
Kathleen says
I am curious about your bulletin board; we are pulling the trigger to build- that being said; does your dent? I am nervous about denting. I want floor to ceiling and its somewhat heavy traffic. I don’t know if we should cork on top of the board to cover dents or if just the board is okay?
Thanks in advance
Carrie Higgins says
It hasn’t dented yet but I keep it off the floor. I will say it’s survived two moves and still looks great 10 years later so it’s pretty hardy!