My daughters both love dry erase boards (or as we call them, whiteboards). So when I started to redesign their playroom, I knew I wanted to incorporate a large whiteboard area for them to draw on. However, when I started to price them out, I couldn’t believe how expensive they were. There was no way I could get two large boards for under $40, and there was no way I was paying that price.
When I was purchasing peg board for my craft room makeover last year, I saw these pieces of precut boards in the same section called marker board. I pulled one out and saw that it was the same surface as a whiteboard – and a 24×24″ piece was only $4.70!
If you want to create your own marker boards, here’s what you will need:
- 1 piece of marker board (mine was 24″x24″)
- enough trim to frame the board (I used the cheapest MDF casing trim the store had)
- liquid nails
- a mitre saw
- spray paint in your choice of color
I had all of these materials on hand, so I only had to buy the marker board – but the other supplies are very inexpensive as well. (The liquid nails was $4.99 and I used less than half a tube, and 8 feet of trim was $2.50.)
The first step is to cut your boards to size – and here I am doing that. This was actually my first time using a power saw! It’s not as scary as it seems, I wish I did it long ago.
I spray painted my trim before I cut it, and then cut it into pieces that were 26″ along the outside edge. You will need four pieces for each board – I am doing two boards so I have eight cuts.
I used liquid nails to adhere the trim to the board. It’s very easy to use- just squirt it on using a caulking gun. You may want to play around with it first, to see how much the trim should overlap the board. Try to get as little as possible on the inside of the board, and wipe up whatever may squeeze out. It is possible to scrape it off after, but is much easier to wipe off while it’s wet.
If you are left with a gap in the corners like I was (my saw was slightly off), just fill them with caulking and once it’s dry, paint to match. Since I used spray paint, I simply sprayed some on a tray and used a foam brush for touch ups.
Once your touch ups are dry, you’re done. The whole project should only take about 30 minutes of active time – a few days though with the drying time of the paint, liquid nails, and caulking.
Now, let me give you some advice before you begin. IF, and this is a big if because I don’t know who would be silly enough to do this, you spray paint your trim and ask your husband to cut it, but he doesn’t for oh, say, 10 months or so, and your trim warps… save yourself the headache and buy new trim. The trim will pull away from the board, and it will take you many days, and many cans of tomatoes, to flatten it. Even then, it may not be perfect. Don’t be so cheap and spend $3 on new trim boards instead of trying to save the ones that are as curved as a bow. Seriously… that’s my only advice for this project. And I have no idea who would do this… or would use tomatoes as clamps. That’s just crazy, right?
Meredith @ Wait Til Your Father Gets Home says
SO CUTE Sarah! I need to make some of these for Jackson and I to play with soon 🙂
Chrissy P. says
Fantastic! Still redoing my humble “studio” space & this is great! Dry-Erase Boards are MEGA Expensive! Thank You!
Amy Nordgren-Ditz says
Love it! We are in the process of re-doing my daughters room and I just said I wanted one wall to be chalkboard wall but she would love this dry eraser picture! I’m going to have to look into it – thanks for sharing the marker board idea 😉
Jill @ Create.Craft.Love. says
Whose husband would avoid their wife’s blog needs for 10 whole months?! {Besides mine, I mean…LOL} It looks great, friend! Love the pink!
Lorie K says
I think I need some of these for my kitchen. Pinning!
Julie redheadcandecorate.com says
How easy is that! Brrr…cold here too!!!
Kelley Wilson says
So cute I have been so afraid to mitre may have to try it now
Steph @ Crafting in the Rain says
This is awesome! Thanks for letting me know about marker board! Also, if anyone doesn’t have a miter saw, you can buy a little yellow miter box to cut the trim with a regular handsaw too. I did that with a large picture frame before my husband bought his nice saw 🙂
Michelle Muckala says
This is a great DIY, had no idea that marker board existed! I’m terrified of a power saw…but love that you are out doing this in the snow, very inspiring 🙂
Britni @ Hubby Made Me says
I love this!! I need a mitre saw right now!!
Lisa Hall says
What a great DIY project!
My Grandkid’s would LOVE this.
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
I love that you’re out sawing in the snow!! These are so cute!!
Barbara Hiatt says
Check you out braving the elements! I feel like a proud parent watching you tackle a power tool! YOU GO GIRL! XO
Melissa Whitcher says
This is great! I am going to have to go find some of these boards. Thanks for sharing!
Melissa
Chelsea @ Making Home Base says
I love it Sarah! Probably my favorite part about this whole post is the picture of you in full winter get up outside with your power saw! That’s a true DIY girl right there! Love it girl
Ashley Phipps says
So cute! And such a good idea.
And I NEVER (said with lots and lots of sarcasm) start a project and have it take almost a year to get back to it… 🙂 I do have it when things ruin in that time though 🙁
Ashley
Alison Wood says
I luv this idea b/c our family uses white boards a lot. Thanks for sharing! I am a new follower so I can keep up with all your great, money-saving ideas!
Visiting from Pint-sized Treasures
TitiCrafty says
So cool idea! love it!
Hugs
Cami
ellie p says
These are AWESOME! So happy to find you over at “It’s Overflowing”!! Have an awesome weekend!
Emily @ The Benson Street says
Who knew you could by marker board?!?! So exciting and I love how you framed it with the pop of red!
Emily @ http://www.thebensonstreet.com
P.S. Found you from The Girl Creative Party
Beth Baumgartner says
Cool and cheap idea! I am stopping by from the Weekend Creative link party!
Beth @ The First Year Blog
Randi~Dukes and Duchesses says
Crazy … I had no idea you could buy marker board … and for SO cheap! Can’t wait to check that out. Loved your tomato can story. 🙂 Thanks for linking up at Project Inspire{d}!
Vicky @ Mess For Less says
Very cool. Love how you can coordinate it to any decor. Pinning!
Amy says
AWESOME!! 🙂 Stopping by from the Linky Party!! Thanks so much for sharing!! 🙂
BIG HUGS,
Amy 🙂 at http://www.lovetocrop.com
Shannon Madigan says
I’m loving that pink frame! Good for you for making it yourself! (thanks for sharing this week at Project Inspire{d}!)