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12 Ways to Make That Inspiration Board Truly Inspiring

Is a plain corkboard stopping up your creative flow? Stir the imagination with these creative ideas for pin boards and more

Laura Gaskill September 15, 2014

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers

Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More

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Wall-mounted inspiration boards are satisfyingly tactile and can be unique wall art in their own right. Let these 12 fresh takes on the classic bulletin board inspire your own installation, from clipboards and pegboards to entire walls filled with ideas.

Contemporary Home Office by TINEKE TRIGGS

1. Use clipboards to organize your display. If you have a lot of projects going on at once or simply like to keep your mood board items orderly, a grid of clipboards could be just the thing.

Clear plastic clipboards look sleek and allow a rich wall color to show through. Use tags to label each board with a theme or project name.

Eclectic Home Office Eclectic Home Office

2. Incorporate a pegboard for larger items. This hardware store staple takes on new life when painted to match your wall color. Use hooks or pegs to attach larger items like fabric swatches, or clip up art prints you do not want to damage by pinning.

Pair it with a traditional corkboard painted the same hue for a seamless look with twice the function.

Contemporary Home Office by Heather Merenda

Heather Merenda

3. Cluster lots of mini boards. Spotted some fun little bulletin boards but worried one won’t provide enough room for all of your ideas? Don’t just get one; bring home an armful!

Arrange them on the floor first until you find a combination that looks pleasing, then attach them to the wall. If the boards are very lightweight, you may even be able to use removable picture hanging strips instead of nails — so you can rearrange whenever you like without damaging your walls.

Modern Home Office Home in Copenhagen, Denmark

4. Expand display possibilities with a floating shelf. Houzz user Tina Fussell simply taped her inspiration photos to the wall above her desk with washi tape. A shelf mounted above allows her to prop and shuffle larger photographs, framed artwork and objects for a richly layered display. Mount two-arm lights on the shelf or the wall above to illuminate your workspace without cluttering the surface.

Farmhouse Home Office by Kimberley Bryan

Kimberley Bryan

5. Anchor a loose arrangement with a chunky frame. Like to pile on the inspiration? Give your arrangement some structure by choosing a big board with a thick wooden frame. The defined edge will help your layers of paper inspiration look intentional — even if you stray onto the surrounding wall.

Contemporary Home Office by Bonaventura Architect

Bonaventura Architect

6. Use linen-covered cork for a chic look. Make a simple, frameless pin board by covering a cork or Homasote board (made from recycled paper) with natural linen or another textured fabric. Add a thin layer of batting (available where quilting supplies are sold) before covering with fabric for a softer look, and use a staple gun to secure the fabric to the back of the board.

Contemporary Kids by Design Development NYC

Design Development NYC

7. Cover an entire wall in pin-able material. A floor-to-ceiling bulletin board wall can make an eye-catching feature in a bustling family home or office. Be aware that you may need professional help to get a perfect fit and to install such a large board. If you have children, they can take over the lower section with their own artwork and bits and bobs of inspiration, while you can have free rein on the top sections.

Contemporary Kids by ArchitectureWorks

ArchitectureWorks

8. Use molding to “frame” a wall-size pin board. Have molding cut to your specifications and use it to frame cork (available in rolls, sheets and tiles) for a massive bulletin board.

A large board is perfect for displaying tons of kids’ artwork or curating inspiration on a blank wall in the home office.

Contemporary Home Office by Owl Design

9. Hang an inspiration string with paper clips and twine. Just have a few little things to display? This minimalist setup may be the one for you.

Tap in two thin nails, using a level to be sure they are straight, and tie a length of twine between them. Use paper clips or mini clothespins to attach photos or fabric swatches to the string.

Contemporary Kids by Bonaventura Architect

Bonaventura Architect

10. Add flair to the homework zone. A bulletin board is a great spot where kids can post their own artwork, snapshots, bits of memorabilia and — maybe — homework assignments.

For younger kids, a magnet board with large (that is, a nonchokable size) magnets hung low on the wall is a fun alternative.

Contemporary Home Office Contemporary Home Office

11. Personalize your board with nailhead trim. Take a tip from decorator Maggie Stephens, who covered a plain bulletin board with fabric and then used upholstery tacks to give it a custom look. To make your own, look for nailhead trim or upholstery tacks online or in a local fabric store.

Midcentury by Janel Holiday Interior Design

Janel Holiday Interior Design

12. Consider moving it away from the desk. If you use an inspiration board in your home office, consider placing it on an adjacent wall instead of directly over your computer. This will make saving things easier and give you something pretty to check out when you get up to stretch your legs!

Do you have an inspiration board at home? Share a photo in the Comments!

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Comments (23)

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debbiea56

@ 4F Lighting I LOVE the colander lamp!! I collect them and would love to have that lamp!

Like October 9, 2014 at 12:19PM

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Christine Kerr

The ironing board idea is brilliant. The best and only use for a much hated memory of hours of childhood ironing lessons. This week I am moving into an old Irish farmhouse/cottage which will be my home for the next 18 months. It is partially furnished which is a lifesaver since I moved here from Texas with 3 suitcases and my dog. The kitchen has all the modern conveniences but is old fashioned at the same time. It is a large square room and has an open fire on one wall. My dream come true. Since I am only here for a limited time, I am hunting for bargains to make it my home. It is funny when you buy something and know you will part with it 18 months later. I am planning to post some pictures once I give it that home, sweet home look.

2 Likes October 26, 2014 at 8:33AM

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bblafferty

@summilux, how did you mount your metal sheets to the wall?

Like February 1, 2015 at 8:42AM

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