Designing a DIY Faux Corkboard from Supplies You Have on Hand

   Have you ever needed a corkboard but didn't want to spend money on one? That's exactly where I found myself. I wanted a place to pin photos, reminders, and little notes, but I also wanted to save money and see If I could make one using materials I already had around the house.

   With just a few simple supplies, I created a faux corkboard that actually works! I started with a thick piece of cardboard that was large enough for the bulletin board I wanted. If your cardboard is thin, you can glue two pieces together for extra strength.

   Instead of buying cork, I reused an old Five Below cloth shopping bag to cover the cardboard with. I tore the seams of the bag and cut it to the size/shape I needed. Then I spread a healthy layer of fabric glue across the cardboard and carefully smoothed the cloth over the top and edges. I reinforced some spots with hot glue, and then once the front was dry, I taped up the back for extra stability. Since the back isn't seen, I didn't worry too much about aesthetics here. 

   I also added a little bit of white paint (well actually it was whiteout - using what I have on hand here haha) to the cloth, to give it a streaky artistic look. Once everything was dry, I added a little twine loop on the back, to hang it on the wall. Once I got it on the wall, I decided I needed something else to hang it with, because the twine hook made the board fall forward. I then used binder clips on the top corners, so I could hang the board with tacks. I actually like how this looks better! 

   Once the board was complete, I tested it with regular pushpins, and thankfully they pushed through the cloth and cardboard! Otherwise I would be having a "Let Go & Have Fun" piece of art on the wall instead! The tacks went through easily, and they work perfectly to hold lightweight items. I like to hang up different things like stickers, important reminders, quotes, ect.

   One of my favorite things about this project is that it cost me almost nothing. Instead of throwing away a shopping bag and a piece of cardboard, they became something useful for my home. It's a great reminder that you don't always need expensive craft supplies to create something functional. Sometimes the best DIY projects start with items headed for the recycling bin.

   I love finding simple ways to reuse everyday materials, and this faux corkboard turned out better than I expected. It's functional, easy to make, and gives discarded materials a second life. 

If you have cardboard, glue, and an old cloth or shopping bag lying around, you already have most of what you need to create your own DIY bulletin board! I would love to know if you've made one before or if you plan to make one soon!

Have you ever made something useful from items you were about to throw away? I'd love to hear about it in the comments!