DIY Office Makeover: Creating Inspirational Corkboards on a Budget

Welcome to our ongoing blog series, My Total Office Makeover! In this series, we follow Chris Gardner, a full-time design and craft blogger, as he transforms his spare bedroom into a vibrant and inspiring workspace. As someone who works from home, Chris understands the importance of having a dedicated and motivating area where creativity can flourish and productivity can soar.

Part VI: Fueling Creativity: The Power of Inspiration Boards

As a design writer and maker, Chris spends his days immersed in a visual feast – an endless stream of captivating room designs, exquisite handmade crafts, innovative logos, striking typography, and generally awe-inspiring creations. To channel this constant influx of inspiration, Chris envisioned a dynamic and ever-evolving collection of images for his new office space. He wanted the freedom to curate, add, and rearrange visuals as needed, creating a personalized mood board that would spark new ideas and drive his work forward.

The immediate solution that sprang to mind was, of course, the classic corkboard! However, a quick glance at the prices at the local office supply store led to a different approach: a DIY project! The idea of spending a significant amount on a pre-made bulletin board simply didn’t align with Chris’s budget-conscious mindset and passion for creative solutions. He knew he could find a more affordable and customizable way to achieve the same result.

After a bit of research, Chris discovered a brilliant material that would allow him to create attractive and expansive pushpin-friendly surfaces for a fraction of the cost – less than $5 per board! This discovery meant he could cover his entire wall with inspiration boards for under $20. The secret ingredient?

Homasote.

Homasote is a unique and versatile product made from recycled, compressed newspaper, bound together with cellulose. Think of it as a giant, sturdy piece of paper mache! It’s commonly used in building projects for sound dampening and insulation purposes. It typically comes in large 4 x 8 foot sheets, similar to plywood or MDF. While you might not find it at major retailers like Lowe’s or Home Depot, most independent lumberyards should carry it. If you’re having trouble finding it locally, try contacting a hobby shop – it’s a popular material for model building, gaming terrain, and other craft projects. What makes Homasote ideal for inspiration boards is its exceptional ability to hold pushpins securely. Best of all, Chris was able to purchase an entire sheet for only $13.89.

Materials You’ll Need:

• Homasote sheet
• Yardstick or long straight edge
• Utility knife
• Fabric (your choice of color and pattern)
• Scissors
• Staple gun and staples
• Drill with driver bit
• Drywall screws and anchors
• Finish washers
• Optional: Acetate sheets, acrylic ink, sponge brushes (for adding a custom design)

For an extra touch of personalization, Chris decided to add hand-printed designs to some of his inspiration boards. He used acetate sheets to create stencils, applied acrylic ink with sponge brushes, and created unique patterns that reflected his personal style.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your DIY Corkboard:

1. Measure and Mark: Begin by measuring your Homasote sheet to the desired finished dimensions of your inspiration board. Use a heavy marker to clearly mark the size. Accurate measurements are essential for a professional-looking finished product.



2. Cut the Homasote: Using the yardstick or straight edge as a guide, make several shallow passes with the utility knife along the marked line. Continue applying pressure and repeating the passes until you’ve completely cut through the Homasote sheet. It’s important to use multiple shallow cuts rather than trying to force a single deep cut, as this will result in a cleaner and more accurate edge.



3. Prepare and Attach the Fabric: Cut your chosen fabric to size, adding an extra 2-3 inches on all sides to allow for wrapping around the Homasote board. Wrap the fabric around the Homasote and begin stapling it down, starting in the center of each side. Work your way towards the corners, carefully mitering the fabric to create clean, neat folds. (For more detailed instructions on mitering fabric, refer to this helpful tutorial.)



4. Add a Personal Touch (Optional): Get creative and add a hand-printed design to your inspiration board! Chris drew mountain shapes on a piece of acetate (an overhead transparency) and cut them out with a craft knife to create a stencil. He then used a spouncing brush to dab acrylic ink onto the fabric, creating a unique and eye-catching pattern. Feel free to experiment with different shapes, colors, and techniques to create a design that reflects your personal style. Other ideas include using stencils, freehand painting, or even fabric markers.



5. Hang Your Inspiration Board: To hang your completed inspiration board, mark a dot in each corner on the back. Use a craft knife to carefully cut a small “X” at each marked point to prevent the fabric from twisting when you drill. Next, drill a pilot hole through the fabric, Homasote, and into the wall at each corner. Remove the board from the wall and insert a drywall anchor into each pilot hole. Replace the board, position a finish washer on each screw, and drive the screws into the anchors. Repeat this process for all four corners to ensure the board is securely mounted to the wall.

The Grand Reveal: Affordable Inspiration!

The fabric cost only $5.87, and with the sheet of Homasote priced at $13.89, Chris was able to create four custom-made inspiration boards, some of them quite large, for under $20! This is a significant savings compared to purchasing pre-made bulletin boards from an office supply store, and it allowed him to completely personalize his office space to suit his specific needs and aesthetic preferences.

For just a few hours of work, Chris was able to transform his walls into a dynamic and inspiring canvas, ready to capture and display his creative ideas. The DIY corkboards not only provide a practical solution for organizing and showcasing visual inspiration, but also add a unique and personal touch to his home office.

This project demonstrates that creating a functional and inspiring workspace doesn’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you can transform your own office into a space that fuels your passion and drives your productivity.

*Note: While working with Homasote, you might find yourself unable to resist replacing “kodachrome” with “homasote” in the chorus of Paul Simon’s classic song, as in, “Mama, don’t take my homasote away.” The repetitive nature of the material’s name lends itself surprisingly well to the tune!