13 Clever Ways To Repurpose An Old Cork Board Around The House

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Cork boards can be one of the best ways to corral information, preserve memories, and serve as a visual reminder to stay on task. And while there are plenty of fun ways to decorate a cork board, when it's time to retire one, there's no reason to toss it in the trash. Instead, there are numerous ways to reuse and repurpose old cork bulletin boards into everything from drawer liners to colorful works of art. 

Many of these hacks can be done using boards of various shapes and sizes, including smaller items pre-shaped into designs like circles or hearts. Not only are these great ideas for cork you have on hand, it can be a good reason to go hunting for more at thrift stores and flea markets. Consider it an eco-friendly way to get the most use out of these versatile boards, while saving some money meeting other needs around the house.

Turn an old cork board into a chic jewelry organizer. Add pushpins, picture hooks, or small nails to hang necklaces and dangly pieces. Use another part of the board to hold earrings (not clip ons) and brooches in place, just by sticking them straight into the cork. You can even paint or add decorative molding to the original frame to make it prettier and suit your aesthetic. Use it above the dresser, next to a vanity, or in the closet to add plenty of extra storage for your baubles. 

You can easily transform an ordinary cork board into a cool piece of living art. Just pin segments of moss to the board, watering it regularly to encourage growth. Eventually the moss will cover the entire surface, making it a stylish panel to hang on a fence or exterior wall of your home (keep it out of direct sunlight). You can even make shapes or use different kinds of moss for textural variation. It's a great way to bring biophilic design into your home.

Combine cork from an old bulletin board and a vintage window to create a stylish command center perfect for hanging in your kitchen or entryway to keep track of schedules and important papers. Add cabinet knobs or hooks along the bottom to hold keys, pet leashes, and other essentials. Just affix the cork sheeting from an upcycled board to the glass with spray adhesive, and use a white glass marker or vinyl decal to make the calendar below. 

Use cork from a disassembled board to line the back of your shelves for an easy way to add texture, interest, and functionality behind objects on the shelf. You can add push pins to display photos and other ephemera, creating a vertical display. You can even turn an old drawer into a DIY cork-lined shelf by hanging it on the wall to hold dishware, décor, or plants. 

Cover cabinet or larger doors with upcycled cork for an excellent way to add texture and additional display space. It creates a natural, organic vibe that's also a clever way to cover up unsightly or damaged doors. Use it as a memo board or to hang jewelry and accessories on a closet door. Or add it to the inside of a kitchen cabinet door to keep visual clutter like clipped recipes at bay or provide a place for hanging small kitchen tools like measuring spoons and cups. 

Cork makes an excellent drawer liner, providing a little grip in the bottom of the drawer for loose items like desk organizers or bathroom vanity contents, while reducing scuffs and scrapes. When lining your drawers with cork, remove the cork from the backing board and cut it to the size of your drawer's interior. You can also use cork as a liner for cupboards to help prevent dishes and glassware from shifting around or chipping.

Add fragments from an old cork board to a leftover ceramic tile to create adorable DIY coasters. Cut the cork to size and stick it to a tile with spray adhesive. You can decorate it with stencils, markers, or vinyl decals. This is a budget-friendly alternative to cork coasters sold by retailers. You can also use wooden discs or existing wood coasters instead of tiles. 

Make a map of your favorite destinations to hang on the wall complete with room for mementos. Upcycle a cork board by painting the frame to match your décor, then adhere vinyl cutouts or use a stencil of the world's continents, like the FingerInspire 4-piece big world map. Each time you travel, pin a small keepsake from your trip —like a photo or ticket stub — along the outer edges. Connect it with a colorful string to the pinned location. 

Use a small cork board to hold and display your pinback button or enamel pin collection in style. Just stick the pins directly into the cork. You can use a small board that already has a decorative frame, or affix cork (cut to size) inside a thrifted frame. This will make your collection a fun part of your décor and prevent pins from getting lost (or stepped on). If you have a large pin collection, consider upgrading your space by making a cork board wall from repurposed boards.

Cork material harvested from an old board makes a great mat for photos or artwork. You can place the material behind the art piece or make a cutout in the cork allowing the image to show through from behind. This can add texture and a natural vibe, as well as elevate a basic thrifted picture frame.

Transform an ugly or stained mouse pad into a fun and fresh addition to your desk, adding a bit of class. Just cut down an old piece of backing from a cork board and use spray adhesive to attach it over the mouse pad. Round the corners with a corner punch or similar crafting tool. The result is a natural, organic looking desk accessory that can add many more years of use to both worn out bulletin boards and mouse pads.

Turn an ordinary cork board into a play station that allows your child to explore forming and identifying shapes. Add pushpins to designate the angles and corners, attaching yarn, string, or rubber bands to let your little one create the shapes. Make sure to stick the pins in securely or add a dab of hot glue to keep them in place around younger children. These boards can also help them make pieces of yarn art or form letters to create fun signs for their rooms. 

Cork boards make excellent canvases for artwork using acrylic paints or markers. In fact it's a clever way to repurpose leftover paint, so it's a double win. Make a large piece of original art like a landscape or botanical image on a bigger board, or create an assemblage or mosaic from smaller round or square cork pieces. You can also add 3-D multimedia elements by attaching materials to the surface.