I love to have extra “storage” space or display space in my office, but I didn’t want to clutter up the walls and make the room look too busy. I decided to make my own magnet boards and attach them to the side of the desk and you will still be able to put up important notes, info and pictures, but they won’t make you feel cluttered.
I had no idea how simple it was to make these boards until the other night. Boy, I will never buy an expensive magnet board ever again. These are so simple and the best part, you can customize them to your décor, style and need. LOVED it!!
I checked out my local hardware store for sheet metal, that comes in different sizes. I found a 12×24 sheet for $6 and that would be the perfect size for my desk. I decided to add 4 sheets, two on each side. You can now get creative, tape them all together to make a 24×24 square or whatever else you like; the sizes are different at the store, many to choose from and very affordable. So check out your local hardware store for “SHEET METAL”. I know the Lowes Website said they would cut it to size, my Local Lowes would not, luckily I was able to use the size they had.
I also picked up some heavy duty magnets, they are fairly cheap, 6 (or 8 can’t remember) in a pack for $2 and a few other magnet accessories to get my magnet board going.
Make your own #DIY Magnet Board
This is what you need:
- Fabric of your choice
- Sheet metal – size of your choice
- a foam sponge
- Mod Podge
This is how to make the #DIY Magnet Board
Step 1:
Clean your sheet metal with a degreaser, mine came all greasy, I used some dish soap and wiped it down; took no time at all; you may not need to do that, but I didn’t like the greasy feel of it.
Step 2:
Lay your fabric flat on the floor or table, printed side down, backside up, take your sheet metal, lay on top and put a nice coat of Mod podge on the Sheet metal; once a nice coat of Mod Podge is on the sheet metal, slowly turn that side around and lay on top of your fabric.
Step 3:
Turn the Sheet Metal/ Fabric Board over and smooth out the fabric on your board; all wrinkles will disappear and will look great. Once it’s smooth, turn it back around so you can fold the edges over. Add some Mod Podge to the edges so you fabric can stick to it.
That’s it ……. Let it dry ….. I added some Duck Tape around the fabric edge to be able to attach Velcro so I can hang it up; not a must, but made me feel more secure. I took Velcro strips and put Liquid nail on the back and attached it to the top and the bottom of the Sheet Metal Board and that’s how I attached it to my cabinet.
You can now, after it is dry (about 30 minutes to an hour), insert it into a picture frame, hang it on the wall, door whatever you like to do. I wanted hubby to put a trim around mine at first, a simple baseboard/door trim to make it look kind of fancy, but I quickly realized that it would have been too much for the space that I had it in. But you certainty can do that.
There you have it, very simple and for under $10 a $DIY project that can be customized to your likes and needs… I also love to make my own $DIY magnets, love to customize them as well and it’s soo simple.
Make your own #DIY Magnets
I love the backsplash tiles at the hardware store, they are glass tiles and come in different colors; most sheets are about $4 for a 12×12 tile, you will get many many magnets out of this. I love to use them, they are pretty, cost effective and are the perfect size.
All you do is take some strong glue, and glue the glass tiles to the magnet.. Voila.. Done!!
This is how simple you can make your very own customized #DIY Magnet board and magnets… under $10.00 and will fit your personal space just perfect.
Be sure to check out how we created some of the #DIY projects.
The Backdrop out of Fabric and Liquid Starch
The New Desk with Ikea Part
Simple window seat with cushion and pillows
Simple #DIY Window Valance on a Budget; NO Sew!
Carlee Colonneso says
You are so crafty, I love this. I will have to try this out.
Crystal C says
Wonderful idea! Love your fabric choice as well.
Crystal C recently posted..Grilled Corn with Chipotle Butter #Recipe and Contest #Sponsored
Grace Hodgin says
You always have the best ideas. Love this one too.
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Sandy VanHoey says
You are one busy crafty lady. I love seeing all you do and your ideas
Melanie says
Thanks for checking out my crafts… I love to do crafts.. just wish I had more time 🙂 glad you like them…
Pam says
You are just full of good ideas. When you get ready to redecorate the house in Germany let me know so I can come help and learn from you. 🙂
Melanie says
Of course… you will be the first to know… 🙂
Daisy says
How cool! I would love to do this for my laundry room where I keep all of our cleaning supplies and have an open wall that needed something like this to fill the space, but even better, use the space in a helpful way!
Melanie says
Laundry room is a great idea… especially since my kids always have notes and artwork in their pockets, easy place to keep it out of the washer… mhhh got me thinking again…:-)
JR Frugalmom says
That is very creative, and I love how practical it is as well.
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Jennifer Wagner says
This would be great for me because my refrigerator doesn’t hold magnets. I’m not great with DIY so I might need my husbands help but I would love to have a place to hand things.
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Melanie says
Jennifer… my fridge doesn’t hold magnets either and this is a great solution to hang it up where it’s not cluttering anything like the side of a cabinet… and .. You can do it!!!! Trust me, it’s that simple…..
Anne says
You make it look so simple! Makes me think even *I* could do this. And I’d like to–what a handy thing to have. Love the magnets, too. Thanks.
Melanie says
Anne.. You Can.. You can.. you Can!!!! do it .. really.. that simple. My 5 year old could do it if I let her.. really THAT simple…:-) … Would love to hear the outcome if you try it ….
Shelley Bryan says
I really love this DIY idea and hope to do this for myself someday! It is so easy and inexpensive that I could make one for each of my 3 boys. I would use fabrics featuring their favorite movie or television characters.
I really love the glass tile magnet idea, too. I Pinned it!
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Melanie says
What a great idea Shelley to use the kids favorite characters.. LOVE it.. You can pin their artwork and stuff onto each of their board…great idea….
Tough Cookie Mommy says
This is so cool. I love magnets but have stopped displaying them on the fridge because our dog takes them off and chews on them. This is a great way to display them in other parts of the house and make them modern and look great.
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Kristyn says
love thiss DIY! I need to make one now for my new office 🙂
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Eustacia Miliusis says
I like this idea a lot! In my mud room/laundry/entry I have covered the walls with notes and children’s pictures and the walls now have hundreds of push-pin holes!!! After I undertake the project of painting this room I will have to use this great DIY!