Are your walls looking a bit bare? Guilty of leaving various Post-it notes scattered around here and there for those spur of the moment reminders? Then let us recommend a creative solution – DIY message boards.
While it would be extremely convenient to remember each and every important nugget of information, sadly, we’re only human – but having said that, being human allows us to put our DIY skills to good use. Make use of a discarded picture frame and repurpose into a chalkboard menu, or alternatively, get your craft on with a decorative dry erase calendar – which countless ideas to choose from, we guarantee you’ll be looking for an excuse to be messy just so you can get organised with these upcycled designs!
So go ahead, take your pick from the following – and get ready to be inspired by being organised!
-
Fabric-covered framed cork board. If you’re a fan of shabby chic, then this concept’s for you. Simple but stylish, take an old, ornate frame and paint your chosen colour – then lightly sand it to give it an antique-like appearance. Next, customise it by sticking your favourite fabric (plain or patterned) to a cork board, then insert into the frame. Now all your notes are literally ‘as pretty as a picture’!
-
Chalkboard menu. Got a picture frame but not keen on the fabric message board approach? Then maybe a framed chalkboard is more up your street – all that’s needed is a piece of plywood cut to size (so as to fit said frame), then paint the wood with blackboard paint. Important note: prime your chalkboard! Lay some chalk on its side then scribble the entire board with it, rub in with a dry rag then erase. As chalkboards are porous, you risk your first chalk-related doodling to be there permanently; so by ensuring all the pores are filled with primer chalk any future scrawls will go on – and erase – with ease.
-
Dry erase calendar. Are you a daily organiser? Then arrange your day-to-day activities with this easy to make dry erase calendar (which doubles up nicely as wall art). For a calendar with a difference, take some tightly woven burlap and cut to fit inside your chosen picture frame. Using a marker pen, create a grid for the entire week (seven columns under each titled day, then five rows to create a total of 35 boxes – that should be enough activities, depending on how organised you plan to be). Personalise with a monogram or any other pattern, then frame with a glass covering – write on with a dry erase pen, and wipe away with a rag.
-
Six-pane window with a three-way design. Step one: acquire a six pane window, step two: cover two panes in chalk paint, fill another two panes with dry erase board, and cork in the remaining two panes. Feel free to paint the window frame for a customised look, or keep it original with the au naturel appearance.
Do you have any other ways of getting the ‘message’ across? Share your suggestions our way, we’d love to see/hear your creations!