How to DIY a Pinboard or Life-sized Pinterest Board: Full Guide

A large pinboard is an excellent tool for organizing your thoughts, visualizing your goals, and keeping track of important information. Whether you're using it for creative projects, planning, or daily inspiration, a well-designed pinboard can transform your space and productivity. Here's how to create one that works for you.

1. Choose Your Location and Size

The first step in creating a large pinboard is deciding where it will go and how big it should be. Consider a wall in your office, craft room, or bedroom where you spend time and can easily see your board. Measure the space to determine the maximum size your pinboard can be.

Pro tip: Go as large as your space allows. A bigger board gives you more flexibility to organize multiple projects or categories.

2. Select Your Materials

You have several options when it comes to pinboard materials:

• Cork board: The classic choice, perfect for push pins and tacks

• Foam board: Lightweight and easy to customize with fabric

• Magnetic board: Great if you prefer magnets over pins

• Pegboard: Offers both pinning and hanging capabilities

For a large pinboard, you might need to purchase multiple panels and mount them side by side, or invest in a custom-cut piece. I would also mention a cheap way to create a pin board is to use matting over something hard like a ply wood board. Then you use pins to catch on the matting.

3. Gather Your Supplies

Here's what you'll need:

• Cork board panels or your chosen material (I used a large chalk board that I no longer had need for)

  • You could also use a regular ply wood board but be sure to cover it with batting materials to have a place for the pins to catch.

• Adhesive strips, mounting hardware, or screws for wall installation

• Decorative fabric (I used linen to cover the board I used)

• Push pins, thumbtacks, or magnets (this depends on the materials you use — I use push pins because I only have matting for the pins to catch on)

• Ruler and level for precise installation

• Optional: Frame or decorative trim

4. Customize Your Board

Before mounting, consider customizing your pinboard to match your aesthetic:

• Fabric covering: Wrap your cork board in a beautiful fabric using a staple gun, glue gun (like me) or strong adhesive

• Paint the frame: If your board has a frame, paint it in a color that complements your space

• Add sections: Use ribbon, twine, or tape to create grid sections for different categories

5. Install Your Pinboard

Installation is crucial for a large pinboard since it will be heavy:

• Locate wall studs using a stud finder for secure mounting

• Use a level to ensure your board is straight

• Install appropriate anchors or screws based on your wall type and board weight

• For extra-large boards, consider installing a French cleat system for maximum support

6. Organize Your Content

Now comes the fun part—filling your pinboard! Here are some ideas for organization:

• Create zones: Dedicate different areas to projects, inspiration, schedules, or goals

• Use layers: Overlap items to maximize space while keeping important pieces visible

• Color code: Use different colored pins or sections for various categories

• Add depth: Include small shelves, clips, or pockets for three-dimensional storage

7. Maintain and Update Regularly

A pinboard is only useful if you keep it current. Set aside time weekly or monthly to:

• Remove outdated items

• Rearrange content to reflect current priorities

• Add new inspiration or reminders

• Clean the surface to keep it looking fresh

Creative Uses for Your Large Pinboard

• Vision board: Display images and words that represent your goals and dreams

• Project planning: Map out timelines, tasks, and milestones for work projects

• Family command center: Keep schedules, permission slips, and important reminders in one place

• Creative inspiration: Pin fabric swatches, color palettes, sketches, and reference images

• Memory wall: Showcase photos, tickets, Christmas cards, postcards, and mementos

Final Thoughts

Creating a large pinboard is an investment in your organization and creativity. With the right materials, installation, and upkeep, your pinboard will become an indispensable part of your space—a visual representation of your ideas, plans, and inspiration that keeps you motivated and on track.

Start gathering your materials today and transform that empty wall into a functional work of art!