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How to Make a Pretty DIY Stenciled Cork Board

June 27, 2018 by Laura Kiernan Leave a Comment

It’s easy to give makeover a plain cork board with paint! Learn how to make a pretty DIY stenciled cork board that will add style to your home office or family command center. The best part? It’ll only take you 30 minutes or less!

How to make a DIY stenciled cork board

Is there a stack of school artwork about three feet high on your kitchen counter?

Or is that just me?

Nah – don’t even try to deny it. You’ve got that stack, too (but maybe it’s on your dining room table that you use twice a year on Thanksgiving and Christmas).

I recently surveyed my readers, and the #1 household complaint these fellow mamas have is clutter – and paper is a major contributor to the mess.

Although I have systems to sort and manage paper clutter, the end of the school year always brings more than I can handle in one sitting.

We have a fabric-covered cork board on our pantry door to display kids’ artwork, but I didn’t have a great spot to put all my blogging worksheets.

If the kids can have their own cork board, then Mom can, too!

See that blank wall on the left-hand side of the desk in our craft area/home office? That was the perfect spot for a pretty cork board of my very own.

Small craft space with peg board organization.

Check out how I transformed a nook in our guest room into this pretty work space!

Whether you want to organize your own papers, or set up a cork board as part of your family command center, this DIY stenciled cork board is an easy and quick project you can knock out in about thirty minutes.

Supplies to Make a DIY Stenciled Cork Board

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  • Basic framed cork board
  • Adhesive stencils
  • Craft paint 
  • Foam pouncers
  • Paper plate

How to Make a DIY Stenciled Cork Board

Now that you’ve gathered your supplies it’s time to prepare your surface. You can cover your workspace with newspaper or a plastic, disposable tablecloth. This isn’t a very messy project, but better safe than sorry, as my mom likes to say!

Place your stencil your cork board where you would want to start the pattern. I began in the bottom left corner, but you could start in the center, too, depending on the look you have in mind.

Honestly, when I began, I wasn’t sure what my final design would look like. So, I started somewhere and kept going until I was satisfied.

Don’t be afraid to experiment! After all, it’s only paint. If you royally screw up, just paint the whole cork board a solid color and try again.

Related Reading: How to Transform a Boring Cork Board in 4 Easy Steps

After you decide where to start your design, squirt a fair amount of paint on a paper plate and then dip your pouncer in the paint.

Using an up-and-down motion, pat the pouncer on your plate several times to remove excess paint.

Firmly press the pouncer on the stencil with the same up-and-down motion you used to remove the excess paint.

Warning: Don’t press too hard or the paint will leak under the stencil.

Repeat this process on your DIY stenciled cork board until you’re happy with how it looks.

How to make a DIY stenciled cork board with paint

I filled up the final product with papers already, and the other night my daughter (a very wise five-year-old) asked, “Mommy, if you were just gonna cover up the pretty part, why did you bother painting it?”

Ah, she has so much to learn.

Sometimes, a gal’s gotta craft just for the sake of crafting.

And making pretty organizing products.

DIY stenciled cork board in craft room

Other Easy Ways to Decorate a Cork Board

This DIY stenciled cork board was a quick project to organize all my blogging worksheets, and I love that I can update it again in the future.

If you get bored with your stenciled design, try these ideas to perk up a plain cork board:

  • Paint the frame a contrasting color
  • Dress up the frame with washi tape
  • Paint the whole thing, and layer on a new stenciled design
  • Cover the cork board with fabric using my tutorial

What’s your favorite way to deal with paper clutter? Do you use a memo or cork board to keep important papers in plain view? Share your ideas in the comments section below!

Check out these other ideas!

  • How to Create a Simple Command Center That Will Save Your Sanity
  • How to Stop Paper Clutter with 3 Simple Tricks That Keep Counters Clear
  • How to Transform A Boring Cork Board in 4 Easy Steps



Laura from TheNoPressureLife.com

Filed Under: Make Tagged With: quick craft

About Laura Kiernan

I'm Laura, a mom of two little humans and one furry rescue pup. As a full-time working mom, I understand how tough it is to keep your home looking nice and functioning well while juggling everything life throws at you. Check out my organization tips, decor ideas, and quick crafts that will help even the busiest mom feel more in control of her home.

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I'm a working mom of two who loves making something from nothing, rearranging furniture, and finding a place for everything. Come learn more about me and my journey to a less-stress life!

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