Turn a magnetic memo board into oversized, vintage-style wall art for an office or entryway with this simple DIY tutorial.
I’m not sure whether disguising a memo board as framed art is entirely new, but it’s certainly a beautiful and practical idea. While planning the conference room design at The Cottage, I wanted large-scale wall art that felt calming for the women at the shelter while still functioning as a place to post notes and announcements.
I searched for examples and couldn’t find exactly what I had in mind, so we improvised — and it turned out even better than I hoped. With no magnets or clips attached, the finished piece looks like an upscale framed artwork.
Where to Use a Memo Board
This project makes a great DIY wall decor idea for entryways, home offices, kitchens, playrooms, or children’s bedrooms. A framed magnetic board keeps spaces organized while offering a stylish focal point.
We’ve used similar boards to display kids’ artwork, birthday invitations, to-do lists, grocery lists, bills, photos, and sweet notes. You can create your notice board in any size — choose a mural, poster, wallpaper, or art decal that suits your space and cut it to fit.
Below is a full tutorial showing how to turn sheet metal into a magnetic memo board that looks like large wall art.
Related: 7 Tips to Create an Organized Family Command Center
How to Make DIY Memo Board Art
Supplies
- 26-gauge zinc-plated sheet metal (we used two 24″ x 48″ sheets side-by-side to create a 48″ x 48″ board)
- Mural, poster, wallpaper, or art decal of your choice (we trimmed a scenic mural into coordinating panels)
- Wireless picture light (optional—adds an upscale touch)
- PVC composite molding for the frame
- Construction adhesive and caulking gun (useful when joining multiple sheets)
- Putty knife
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Oil-based primer (Kilz Original or similar) if using pasted wallpaper
- Paint brush
- Spray adhesive suitable for heavy-duty bonding
- Heavy-duty work gloves
- Multipurpose 1½” #8 self-drilling screws
Tools
- Power drill/driver with bits
- Large level
- Pencil and tape measure
- Scissors
- Wallpaper smoother tool
- Miter saw (or a hand saw with a miter box)
- Brad nailer (or hammer and brad nails)
Step 1 – Mark the Placement
Use a level and pencil to mark where the metal sheet(s) will hang. We positioned ours between studs to provide strong support, since sheet metal can be heavy. A good height guideline is roughly 60″ from the floor to the center of the board.
Step 2 – Drill Pilot Holes
Drill pilot holes through the metal at each corner and at points where the sheet will meet studs. If you can’t secure the sheet to studs, use heavy-duty drywall anchors to support the weight.
Step 3 – Secure Metal Sheets
Always wear heavy-duty gloves when handling sheet metal to avoid cuts. Align each metal sheet with your marked placement and fasten it to the wall with screws through the pilot holes into the studs. Repeat for additional sheets if creating a larger panel.
Step 4 – Secure Seams with Adhesive
When two sheets meet, seams may bow slightly. Run a bead of heavy-duty construction adhesive along the edges where the sheets meet and press them to the wall. Wipe away excess adhesive with a putty knife and rag, then let dry for several hours.
For a very permanent bond, you can apply adhesive across the back of each sheet before screwing them in, but note that this makes future removal more difficult and may require drywall repair.
Step 5 – Sand Surface
Lightly scuff the slick metal with fine-grit sandpaper to give the surface better adhesion. Sand away any dried adhesive residue so the mural will lie flat.
Step 6 – Prime
If you plan to apply pasted wallpaper or a pre-pasted mural, prime the metal first with an oil-based primer. This ensures the paste adheres properly. Brush on one even coat and allow it to dry. If you’re using peel-and-stick decals, you can skip priming.
Step 7 – Cut Mural to Size
Measure the metal sheet and subtract about 1″ from both width and height to allow a small metal border to show. Mark and cut your mural or poster panels, leaving roughly ½” of metal visible around the edges. Keep panel orientation and seam order in mind when cutting.
Step 8 – Apply Adhesive
Spray an even, generous coat of spray adhesive across the entire metal sheet. Work on one sheet at a time to keep alignment precise.
Step 9 – Adhere Mural / Poster
This step is much easier with a helper. Align one edge of the mural panel to the metal edge and press that side down. Have your partner lift the opposite side slightly while you smooth the paper into place with a wallpaper smoother, working from the center outward to remove air bubbles. Match seams carefully for a seamless look.
Step 10 – Attach Frame
Measure the perimeter of your covered metal sheet and cut the PVC molding at 45° angles to form a picture-frame edge. Secure the mitered pieces around the board with a brad nailer or nails and a hammer. This framing step gives the memo board a finished, gallery-style appearance.
Step 11 – Hang a Picture Light
A picture light is optional but adds polish and makes the board feel special. It also provides useful illumination for reading notes and documents. Wireless, rechargeable picture lights are convenient; if you prefer a plug-in light, conceal the cord with cord covers for a clean look.
Peel-and-Stick Wall Art Alternative
If you want a quicker method, use peel-and-stick wall art or large self-adhesive decals. These vintage-art reproductions and other prints adhere directly to the metal sheet and eliminate priming and paper pasting. They’re an easy shortcut for refreshing thrifted farmhouse signs or repurposing old decor.
Shop the Art
This DIY memo-board-art project wasn’t difficult—just a bit time-consuming where wallpaper is involved. I used gold magnetic clips that look pretty and work well for holding notes.
It’s made me reconsider our kitchen notice board and command center; you could even place plexiglass over the finished art to create a dry-erase surface for added functionality. The combination of form and function is exciting to experiment with.
More DIY Large Wall Art Ideas
- DIY Large-Scale Wall Art from a Shower Curtain
- DIY Wall Art on Scrap Plywood
- Audubon Bird Art Gallery Wall with Free Printable Set
- Antique Painting Mural Wallpaper in the Dining Room
- DIY Designer Knock-Off Textile Art from a Recycled Rug
- Mirror Gallery Wall from Thrifted Frames
- 20 Creative DIY Wall Decor Ideas for Blank Walls
We’ll share the full reveal of this conference room makeover at The Cottage women’s shelter soon. There’s still work to do, but it will be worth it—this project added both beauty and purpose to the space.
