I’m sharing how to make a custom-sized DIY linen pinboard for much less than you’d pay for one that’s store-bought
For a while now, I’ve been dreaming of a large linen pinboard hanging in my kitchen. It would be perfect for pinning up all of the things (coupons, invitations, magazine page cut-outs, etc.) that end up in a messy, unorganized pile on my desk.
I fell in love with a large linen pin board from Restoration Hardware but it was super expensive. So I decided to create a DIY linen pinboard (actually, pinboards!) in the exact sizes I needed. Here are the simple steps to creating your own… (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my disclosure statement {here})
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
My first step was to find a frame for my pinboard. I ended up buying an open barnwood frame at Hobby Lobby where they have them in about 10-12 different sizes. They frequently go on sale at 50% off so you can get them at a very reasonable price.
You can also find similar frames on Amazon in multiple sizes {here}.
Other supplies you’ll need for each DIY linen pinboard include:
Thick cork panel (½″ or more) in the same size or larger than your framed opening such as {this one}
Linen fabric
Utility knife
D-ring picture hangers (if none on your frame)
Step 2: Attach Ring Hangers
If your frame doesn’t already have hangers attached, add a pair of ring hangers onto the frame’s back. Then measure the recessed area on the back of the frame where your cork board will be placed.
Step 3: Cut YourCork Board to Size
Next, cut the cork board to your measured size using a utility knife. It’s key to make your cuts on the FRONT side of the cork board. This way, the edges around the front side of the cork board stay relatively straight (the back side will look like a mess but there’s no worries – you won’t see it).
Step 4: Staple The Fabric Around Your Cork
Next, wrap your fabric around the cork board and staple gun it to the back:
Step 5: Secure the Fabric-Covered Cork Board to the Frame
Finally, use your glue gun to make a line of glue along the recessed edge of the frame where your fabric-covered cork board will be placed. You need to work fast gluing so that the first glue hasn’t dried by the time you’ve made it all the way around the frame. Lay your cork board in the frame and apply pressure for a minute or two until the glue had dried. Then, to be sure that your cork board is secure in the frame, apply glue between the cork board and the frame all the way around the back of the frame:
Step 6: Hang It Up!
After repeating this process two more times and then putting screws into the wall at the correct locations for the ring hooks on the frames, I got all three of my framed cork boards up on the wall! I added a metal letter “J” to fill the awkward space to the right of my light switch and got everything lying on my desk pinned on my new boards:
Several months later I changed up my bulletin boards by replacing the natural linen fabric with some leftover black and cream ticking stripe fabric I had from another project:
I hope you enjoyed the post and are inspired to DIY a linen pinboard of your own!
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