Turn a Flea Market Frame Into a Wipe-Off Board

Every college dorm room needs a wipe-off board for messages from friends and to jot down to-do lists. Use a flea market frame and a funky fabric to create a one-of-a-kind message board that will make your space look chic.

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Materials Needed:

  • ornate flea market frame with glass
  • packing tape
  • patterned fabric
  • spray paint in your desired color
  • scissors
  • piece of foam core the same size as the frame

Cut Out Foam Core

Place glass from the frame on top of foam core. Trace around glass. Cut out foam core. (This will be used as a mat for the fabric.)

Cut Fabric

Lay out fabric face down. Lay foam core on top. If necessary, trim any extra fabric away until there is 2 inches of fabric on each side of the foam core.

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Tape Fabric to Foam Core

Fold over the bottom edge of the fabric and tape with the packing tape. Fold over the top edge of the fabric and tape with the packing tape. Fold over each remaining side of the fabric and tape with the packing tape. Hold the fabric taut so it's tight across the foam core. Push down each corner of fabric and tape the fabric corners down flat. Then tape down each corner so it's taut.

Spray-Paint Frame

Place the frame on a drop cloth outside. Spray on one light coat of spray paint. Add two more coats of spray paint to fully cover the frame. Let dry according to the spray-paint instructions.

Attach Frame + Style

Put glass back in the frame. Place fabric in the frame on top of glass. Use dry-erase markers to write messages on the glass. The markers will easily wipe off. Use the board as a message center or a place to jot down to-do lists. It will definitely look better than any store-bought wipe-off board.

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