I set up this corkboard wall in just a few hours, and I’m excited to share the tutorial with you! The biggest concern for me was whether it would adhere well to the wall (spoiler: it did!). Let’s dive into the journey of how it all started.
This wall had held shelves for many years, but they didn’t serve my needs anymore. I absolutely adore travel, so I wanted to showcase the numerous treasures I’ve gathered over time. Hence, the corkboard found its new home.
Since a strong adhesive is essential for the cork roll, I was hesitant to stick it directly onto the wall. We opted for some budget-friendly plywood, cut it to match the wall’s dimensions, and secured it using screws. Remember to make openings for any outlets present on the wall too!
This is where my husband took a step back, and I took charge. Installing the corkboard was primarily a solo project, except at the very start. I required an extra pair of hands to help align it properly, and then I was ready to go. Once you begin applying the cork, there’s little room for mistakes, so make sure to start in a corner and work your way down the wall.
I used a notch trowel to spread the adhesive on the wall, then rolled the cork over it with a rolling pin. I was quite anxious about bubbles, but thankfully, the adhesive worked like a charm! No bubbles at all.
As I reached the edge of the wall, I utilized a sharp utility knife to neatly slice along the wall’s edge. It was so sharp that it cut right through the cork and into my thumb. Thankfully, a quick visit to the emergency clinic sorted it out!
To complete the look, I painted a corner trim piece to match the wall and secured it with a small bead of wood glue. Given that the cork is thin, I seamlessly fit it against my crown molding and baseboards. No one would guess it wasn’t properly edged off at the top and bottom, saving me a lot of time!
Alright, are you prepared for your supply list? It’s brief and straightforward—making sure to use the correct materials is key.
Corkboard supply list
- Cork. I searched high and low for the ideal roll. There are numerous variations available, but I wanted to avoid seams at all costs. As a result, I ended up spending a bit more. I found cork rolls at Bangor Cork, which offered the best price with plenty of options! I bought a roll and had it cut to 8 feet—the height of my ceilings. I assure you, it was worth the extra cost for that sleek look!
- Notch trowel. It doesn’t need to be fancy—just something with teeth to apply the adhesive to the wall and give the cork something to adhere to.
- Flooring Adhesive. This was the hero of the project. It allowed some wiggle room for adjustments, but once it began to set, it was unmovable! I was relieved, as I worried this could turn out disastrous. Cheers to success! 😉
- Utility Knife. If you’re in the mood to risk a thumb injury, I recommend this utility knife? Just kidding—kind of—but this knife is very sharp. It served its purpose well!
- Rolling Pin. Another key player was my old rolling pin, which made smoothing out the cork much easier.
After all those not-so-great iPhone photos, here’s a nice one to remind you of the completed corkboard wall.
I truly love it, and I trust the instructions were sufficiently clear! If you’d like to see more of the finished corkboard wall, check it out here!
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