How to Makeover a Bulletin Board

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Are you wondering how to makeover a bulletin board for your home office or kitchen command center? Well, wonder no more because I’m sharing a great example for how you can makeover a brand new cork board or one from a thrift store.

I purchased my framed bulletin board from my favorite consignment store. It started at $5.98 and eventually moved to the bargain room where everything is priced $1.00. I love a bargain!

HOW TO MAKEOVER A BULLETIN BOARD

completed bulletin board makeover

It’s once again time for “Do it Over” Designers! I’ve joined a group of designers who take something old and/or unused and ‘do it over’ into something new. These items can be found in closets, barns, garages, yard sales, thrift stores, you name it. At the end of my post, you’ll find the links to view their makeovers. Don’t miss out! 

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

  • bulletin board
  • acrylic craft paint
  • foam brush
  • artist paint brush
  • painter’s tape
  • fine grit sand paper
  • chambray fabric strips
  • burlap strips
  • twine
  • scissors
  • seam ripper
  • E-6000 glue
  • picture hardware (if needed)
  • joint compound (if needed)

MAKEOVER DESIGN OPTIONS

WHAT CAN BE USED TO COVER CORK BOARDS?

  • CRAFT PAINT can be used to cover the cork surface like I used for my thrift store bulletin board makeover.
  • FABRIC: Decorator or burlap fabric can be stapled to the cork portion and trim added to cover the perimeter of the fabric.
  • SCRAPBOOK PAPER can be applied with Mod Podge. Brush glue onto the cork and then again on top of the paper.
  • DECORATIVE DUCT TAPE comes in a variety of colors and themes.

HOW TO DECORATE A BULLETIN BOARD?

  • MESSY BOW: For today’s makeover, I chose to make a messy bow for my decoration. Find instructions down in the post.
  • FABRIC FLOWERS can be made using either cotton, denim, or burlap. Felt flowers can also be used like the ones I made for my door hanger craft idea.
  • STENCILS are great for bulletin board decoration. There are so many stencil options available!
  • FURNITURE BRADS can be used to help hold down fabric on the edges next to the bulletin frame.
  • WALL STICKERS that I used on my memo board thrift store upcycle are available at Dollar Tree.

HOW TO MAKEOVER A CORK BOARD

STEP 1: PREPARE THE FRAME FOR PAINTING

If needed, sand the frame and fill in any holes, nicks, or cracks with joint compound.

My board’s picture hardware located on the back side was off-centered, plus the sawtooth portion was too sharp for safety.

I removed the hardware and filled in the holes, and after the joint compound dried I sanded the area. The new hardware will be added later in the project.

Since the black frame portion felt slick like MDF, I used fine grit sandpaper to sand the frame. This creates a surface which paint will adhere to better.

STEP 2: HOW TO PAINT THE BULLETIN BOARD

PAINT CORK:

Since my board was used, I freshened the cork portion with 2 coats of brown paint using a foam brush. Let dry completely.

TAPE OFF:

Tear strips of painter’s tape and apply them to the cork portion (see picture below.) Make sure the strips are as close as possible to the frame inset to help prevent the blue paint from bleeding onto the cork.

halfway through painting the bulletin board makeover

PAINT FRAME:

Use a foam brush to paint the frame’s back side and side edges navy blue. One coat is fine, since it won’t be seen after hanging. Let dry completely.

If frame is wide, like mine, haphazardly paint half the front and half the sides with ivory paint using an artist brush (see picture above.) Paint the whole frame if yours is a thin one.

I painted 3 coats of ivory, blending the edges, so there won’t be any hard, distinct paint marks. Let dry completely.

Use fine grit sand paper to distress the frame. Sand until the lighter shade peaks through and the navy paint turns a lighter blue, but also leaving some areas navy.

frame has been distressed for the bulletin board makeover

HOW TO DECORATE A BULLETIN BOARD

I chose to make a big messy bow made with chambray strips, burlap and twine.

STEP 1: Tear your fabric into strips. Figure the length of each strip according to how big you want your bow to be. I used 6 fabric strips, 3 burlap strips and 2 pieces of twine.

example of fabric strips being torn for the how to makeover a bulletin board

STEP 2: Since my fabric had been pre-washed, I only had to fray the opposite end. I used a seam ripper to begin fraying the ends and finished pulling the threads with my fingers.

WARNING: use extreme caution when using a seam ripper.

Layer the fabric strips into an X shape. Vary color and/or the textured layers. Pinch the middle together to see if your bow looks full enough. Adjust if needed.

Tie the middle tightly with twine a couple of times. Adjust strip placements to your liking.

Use E-6000 glue to attach the messy bow to the left corner. You could use hot glue, but I wanted to make sure the bow wasn’t going to pop off in the future.

Didn’t this bulletin board makeover turn out great? I hope it gives you the inspiration to update an old or thrifted board for yourself!

graphic saying pin for later
pinterest graphic for bulletin board makeover showing completed painted and decorated board

CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE MORE “DO IT OVER” PROJECTS FROM MY FELLOW BLOGGERS!

graphic for do it over designers group

THE APPLE STREET COTTAGE

BIRDZ OF A FEATHER

CLOCHES AND LAVENDER

EXQUISITELY UNREMARKABLE

INTERIOR FRUGULISTA

LITTLE VINTAGE COTTAGE

MODERN ON MONTICELLO

PANDORA’S BOX

PURPLE HUES AND ME

SOUTHERN SUNFLOWERS

SUM OF THEIR STORIES

Sharing my “Do it Over” project at these fabulous blogs!

Thanks for Sharing!

22 thoughts on “How to Makeover a Bulletin Board”

    1. Judy, I surprised myself that the bow turned out good. I was right proud of myself LOL. I’m taking the bulletin board this week to a consignment store to see if it will sell as I have a vendor account there. Thanks for dropping by!

  1. I love the distressed look of your bulletin board, Allyson and the fabric/burlap you chose is perfect for it. Great makeover – and great price!

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