10 Tips You Need To Know Before Making Your Own Fridge Magnets

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Steering clear of the more decorative designs and buying a refrigerator from one of the most trustworthy and reliable appliance brands will give you a high return on your invested capital. But if it looks a little too sterile for your tastes, jazz it up with some beautiful magnets. You can either buy mass-produced models and spend a fortune on them or craft custom designs at a fraction of the price to spice up your boring fridge. Before you hand your creativity the reins, though, there are a few things you should be aware of first. For starters, you should get a sturdy base for your magnets. Glossy or matte photo sheets will fare better than regular paper for pictures and printed designs. Plus, they'll look more appealing than simple A4 or craft sheets.

Another tip is to set up your workspace so you have everything you need and aren't constantly pausing your project due to a lack of materials (anti-slip pads and good-quality magnets are a must). You also want to decide the theme of your magnets. Are you making them for a specific holiday (think Christmas or Thanksgiving) or occasion (perhaps your wedding or your kid's birthday)? Or, do you want them to be evergreen and grace your cooling box year-round? How you'll arrange them — horizontal, vertical, circle, diagonal, or layered — is also something you should have a rough idea about. Interested to know more? Here are 10 tips you need to know before making your own fridge magnets.

Putting up a brilliant shell or beautiful rock you picked up from the beach is a great way to lend your fridge some character. However, you might have difficulty keeping them in place if they continuously slide down the smooth surface. But instead of replacing them, get a few anti-slip pads to add a little traction. Jayen's Non Slip Self Adhesive Silicone Pad Rolls are a good option. Cut them to your magnet's shape and size and stick them to its back to keep it in place and prevent unsightly scratches.

Although it can be tempting to use the first magnet you come across, choose one carefully if you want your craft to hang on your fridge for a long time. The decision is also important if you have a history of continuously knocking them down. Neodymium magnets are the best in the business because they offer a strong grip and work well with heavy objects. They also don't lose their magnetism (mostly) or break easily when they fall from a high height. Made of neodymium, boron, and iron, these magnets will last a while and give you a high return on investment.

As established, neodymium magnets are the best. But you also have to choose the right shape based on what you want to display to keep your decorations in place and prevent any damage to your fridge. To elaborate, cylindrical magnets are easy to pluck off and arrange, so they're a great option if you want to put up your child's recent paper art, mark sheet, or a few family photos. On the other hand, circular (or disc) magnets provide better traction and are best for adhering crafty decorations to your refrigerator's surface.

Before ordering any magnets, check if your refrigerator is subject to a humid environment. This is important because iron models will react with the moisture in the air and corrode over time. Under such circumstances, go with waterproof magnets. Plastic-coated neodymium products are a good option. You can even go with epoxy-coated options, like LOVIMAG's Super Strong Neodymium Magnets, or anything brushed with a nickel-silver coating. So, read the product description in its entirety to ensure your magnets last you a long while.

You can splurge for the best magnets and pick the right glue, but all your efforts will be in vain if you don't stick the former to a clean surface. This is because dust, dirt, debris, or sweat will lower the glue's adhesion and break the bond between your craft and the magnet holding it firm against your fridge. Dampen a microfiber cloth or Q-tip using rubbing alcohol and clean the backside of your decor item. Then, give it a few minutes to air dry before you apply an adhesive.

Even though it's as easy as sticking a magnet to your craft and putting it up on the refrigerator, ensure you choose the right spot for gluing it. Otherwise, the increased friction will enhance the chances of your fridge magnet falling off with a little push. For instance, if you want to put up a miniature decor piece, glue the magnet to its center to keep it in place. However, if you're dealing with a large or heavy object, feel free to attach two or three magnets at a distance to keep it upright.

When DIYing fridge magnets, it's important you use the right type of glue to adhere your crafts and magnets. This is because using the wrong kind will lead to a weak bond, might damage certain materials, or the magnet and material might not stick at all. To illustrate, wood glue is the ideal adhesive for joining wooden decor pieces and magnets. Similarly, instant glue is perfect for glass (hot glue works, too) and stone items. So, ensure you have the right type of glue on hand.

Before you start making your fridge magnets, take into account the area you can safely use. After all, you don't want to place them somewhere your mischievous pet or toddler can grab them. Plus, placing your eye-catching designs at the bottom will rarely grant them the spotlight they deserve. So, scope out the spots you can claim toward the top half of your cooling box and craft your magnets accordingly. Remember to leave a little space between your decorations, to-do lists, and other things to minimize visual clutter.

To give your fridge a facelift with a magnet, you must consider all the design options first and pick one that fits your preferences and budget. In case you don't want to spend a lot of money, upcycle items you already have, such as gorgeous brooches, decorative seashells, thrifted photo frames, or easily DIY unique fridge magnets out of useless junk mail. If you want to go the sentimental route, display your family pictures. For a motivational, quirky, or witty aspect, print some of your favorite quotes and put them up.

Having a hard time deciding the design you want to go for? Decide on your magnet's purpose to simplify your decision. For example, if you want it to be merely cosmetic, opt for a theme and medium that will boost your fridge's aesthetic appeal. Miniature decor items, personalized photos, and cute souvenirs all fit the bill. But if you want it to double as a to-do, shopping, or recipe list, add a few pages to a sturdy base. Like syncing your family's calendar manually? Put up a miniature calendar. DIY magnetic mini-me figurines of your beloved ones to kick it up a notch.