Framed magnetic board

Got an empty frame  – why not make it into a magnetic board?

As I was putting together the amazing gallery wall in our master bedroom, I was left with one oddly-shaped frame.  The shape was extra tall and skinny so it just wasn’t really working as a traditional photo frame.  I decided it would make the perfect magnetic board.

These are actually incredibly easy and inexpensive to make.  You can make them with any size frame and any type of fabric.

DIY Magnetic Board Tutorial

Materials:

Picture frame (no glass needed)

Sheet metal – You can buy 2 x 3 sheets of sheet metal at Lowes or Home Depot for around $10 a sheet.  That is enough to make several of these.

Tin snips – These are like scissors that cut metal – you can get these at Lowes for around $5 or you can buy them from Amazon here.  (This is an affiliate link).

Fabric – I chose to use plain white fabric so my magnetic board would blend into the rest of the gallery wall, but a great print would be amazing.

Duct tape

• Using a marker, trace the cardboard from the frame onto the sheet metal.  (If your frame does not have glass or cardboard, you can trace the opening of the frame.  Just make sure when you cut it, to cut it slightly larger than your traced shape so that the metal will fit into the lip of the back of the frame.  If it is exactly the same size as the frame opening, it will fall right through the front of the frame when you try to attach it.)

• Cut the sheet metal with your tin snips.  *You should definitely wear gloves while cutting – the cut edge of the metal is quite sharp.  Don’t ask how I know this.*
• Cut your fabric a few inches bigger than your sheet metal.  Wrap the fabric around the sheet metal and tape it in place on the back.
• Pop the fabric wrapped metal into your frame. Super simple!

I happened to have a bunch of german glass glitter magnetic letters on hand that I made awhile back using Miss Mustard Seed’s fabulous tutorial.  I have been wanting to use them somewhere in my house but just couldn’t find the right spot.  Turns out they are a perfect match with this little board.

As I shared earlier, I want to make sure that our master bedroom is a special space for my husband and I.  I am a huge believer in not letting your relationship fizzle just because you have kids – or in our case, kid.  So I thought this would be a cute spot for tiny love messages.  I’ve already been experimenting with some different possibilities.

This is definitely going to be fun.  The best part may just be waiting to see how long it takes him to notice the message has changed.  It was a week before he noticed the Hello Sexy sign that is a few feet from his side of the bed.

And if you like this idea, you may also really enjoy this magnetic chalkboard tutorial.  (These make awesome gifts by the way.)

Have you ever worked with sheet metal before?  Anyone have other great magnetic projects to share – if so, be sure to leave a link in the comments.

I am linking this post at Work it Wednesday.