How to Cover Cork Boards
Cork boards are great for organization, but they're not especially attractive. You can, however, cover them with fabric before mounting them on your wall for a customized look that will match your decor. Choose a vibrant color or pattern and the board itself becomes an artistic focal point of a room. It's easy to do and well worth taking a little extra time and care to do neatly.
Things You'll Need
- Nonstretch fabric
- Spray starch
- Iron
- Spray adhesive
- Staple gun and staples
Instructions
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1
Cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover your cork board with an extra margin of at least 2 or 3 inches around the sides.
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2
Press your fabric well, spray it with starch on both sides and continue pressing until the fabric is perfectly flat, wrinkle-free and slightly stiff. Place the ironed fabric face down on a flat surface and smooth it out if necessary.
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3
Spray adhesive all over the front of the board. Immediately place it face-down onto the reverse side of the fabric--the side that is facing you. Make sure the grain of the fabric and any pattern is straight. Place the board down flat, so the fabric adheres uniformly to the surface of the board.
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4
Lift the fabric-covered board and examine the surface for any wrinkles. Immediately smooth out any you see, pressing them toward the edges of the board before the adhesive dries.
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5
Fold the upper margin of fabric over the top and onto the back of the board. Hold the fabric taught at the back and place one staple through it at the center. Turn the board over and repeat this with the lower margin of fabric.
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6
Fold one of the side margins of fabric over to the back, tighten it and staple the fabric, then repeat with the other side. Insert additional staples to secure the fabric, spacing them 1/2 inch apart along each side.
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7
Smooth the fabric around the corners with your fingers. Fold and tuck the excess fabric neatly, then staple the back of each corner to hold the fabric in place.
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Tips & Warnings
For a softer, padded cork board, add a layer of batting between the cork board and the fabric.
Make a set of two or three smaller cork boards covered in complementary fabrics and mount them in a row on the wall.
