DIY Sweet and Chic Framed Magnetic Board

Today I have a fabulous DIY project for you to spiffy up your office or entryway! I’m going to show you how to make this sweet diy framed magnetic board. This project is really quite easy and fun. Overall a fantastic weekend project! I love how customizable it is! You can change the look with different style frames and fabrics. Of course I went for a sweet vintage look since this board is going to go in my sewing room.

Here’s What You Need:

*Frame

*Paint for frame (optional) I used chalk paint and wax

*Plywood or MDF

*Liquid Nails or industrial glue

*Duct Metal(galvanized sheet metal) from the hvac department at the hardware store

*Metal Snips

*Fabric

*Hot glue

*Framing offset clips or silicone caulk to fasten board in frame

*hangers

 Step 1: Make back board- Measure the inside of your frame and cut your board to size with a circular saw. If you don’t have power tools, you can have the board cut at the hardware store. Then trim the sheet metal to size using your metal snips. Put a really generous amount of glue or liquid nails on the front of the board and carefully lay out sheet metal onto the board. Press and smooth out as much as you can. You can use a rolling-pin to roll over the metal to make sure it’s good and flat. Let dry overnight.

Step 2: Cover your board- Lay your fabric out face down. Lay your board face down on top of your fabric and trim down if needed, making sure to leave a couple of inches on all sides. Start gluing the fabric on one side. Glue a little at a time, stretching and smoothing as you go. Once your first side is done, start glueing the opposite side, pull and stretch and smooth out as you go, checking the front side periodically as you go. Then stretch and glue the top and bottom sides. If your board is thick enough, you can use a staple gun and staples instead of glue if you like. In the pictures my board is black. I had originally used magnetic paint on my board, but was not happy with it. It is expensive and you have to use several coats to make it magnetic enough to use magnets, which if you are using the spray paint like I did, you would need several cans. I know it does work because I’ve seen samples, but I personally like the sheet metal better, it’s less work, and cheaper.

Step 3: Put it all together- Lay your fabric covered board into your frame face down. Now, you can either run a bead of caulk around the back to set the board in, or you can use framing hardware. If using caulk, run a bead all the way around and then smooth out with your finger, let dry. If using framing offset clips, space them out evenly around the corners and sides and then screw down. You can now add your choice of hanger to the back. I used wire and wire hangers, but you could use whatever you like from the hardware store that is weight appropriate. And now you are ready to hang and enjoy!

I really love how my magnet board turned out! I used a frame from the flea market. I believe it is an old trim piece for a fancy fireplace. I painted it with chalk paint. No it’s not the kind you can write on, this chalk paint is a rich easy to use paint that comes in fabulous vintage colors! A lot of people use it to refinish antiques and wood pieces. You can paint just about anything with it with little or no prep. You use a wax to finish it, and it gives the piece a fantastic smooth silky finish. I love it! If you are in the Raleigh area you can find the paint at Studio 28 Here. My fabric was by lecien and I found it on etsy at Sew Deerly Loved Here. It’s such a sweet little print, and I love the vintage feel of it. One of my favorite things about my frame was that there was a spot that I was able to add a sweet ceramic bird to the top. I hope you all enjoyed this tutorial! I had a lot of fun making it! And I hope I’ve inspired some of you to go out and make one of your own! Be sure to tune in this Thursday for a DIY magnet project….

Happy Crafting!