What Projects Can I Do With Cork Board?

Cork goes from office drab to a fab decorating tool.

Cork is a really great item that can be used in many different ways around your home. While people typically only think of cork being used in ready-made cork boards, cork is actually fairly inexpensive and can be found at your local craft-supply store. Cork is a wonderful craft supply because it is lightweight and easy to work with. It is also absorbent, as everyone knows, and things can be attached to it easily.

Cork Board Necklace Holder

Instead of using a cork board for notes and messages, why not simply re-purpose it for something else? If you have an office-style cork board that you are not using, try hanging it in your bedroom or bathroom instead. The cork can be painted with acrylic paint or covered in fabric to make it feel less like an office staple and more like a decoration. Buy yourself some pretty pushpins or tacks and use your re-purposed cork board to hang your necklaces. It makes a pretty display and keeps your necklaces from getting tangled in a jewelry box.

Trivets

You can never have too many trivets. A trivet is what you place down on a table or counter so that you can put a hot dish down without ruining the surface of the table. A simple, round trivet made of plain cork is inconspicuous and clean looking, but if that is too boring for you, try painting them or covering them in fabric. To cover in fabric, simply cut a scrap of fabric that is slightly bigger than the trivet, fold it over the top and glue in place on the back. Be sure when you cut out your trivets to make them in a few different sizes to fit various dish sizes.

Coasters

You can make plain coasters just like the trivets above, but it's fun to be a bit more creative here. Try using a stencil or cut out different shapes for your coasters. Try seasonal ones--with snowflakes, fall leaves, sun shapes and flowers. Paint them to match their season.

Cork Board Wall

Some craft stores sell entire rolls of cork, which are great for larger projects or for a number of other things that you want to do with the cork. Cover a small wall or an area of a larger wall with cork and you will have a large notice board where you can put a family calendar, receipts, notes and pictures. This is a fun way to document everyday life in your home.

Odds and Ends

Use small pieces of cork under chair and table legs to keep them from scratching your floors. Larger pieces can be put under small rugs to provide traction and to keep them from slipping. Line kitchen and bathroom drawers with cork to prevent your utensils and makeup from sliding all over the drawers.

References

• Martha Stewart.Com: Cork Leaf Coasters
• College Candy: Take the Bored out of Cork Board
• Apartment Therapy: How To Make a Pushpin Canvas Board