In DIY/ Interiors

DIY Kids Art Display

Create a dedicated space to display your kiddo’s art with this large DIY kids art display wall complete with a custom stenciled graphic unique to your family!

Today is an exciting day. I’ve been dreaming of a kids art display wall since the day Sylvia started pumping out art projects by the easel-full. Studies show displaying your kids art empowers them by building confidence, developing sense of self, and encouraging creativity.

large cork board, with painted graphic, galerie francois, behr whisper white painted wall, dark wood trim, natural oak floor, harlequin rug, serena & lily woven lidden baskets, art easel, dark wood door, playroom, toy guitar

large cork board, with painted graphic and border, galerie francois, behr whisper white painted frame, kids paper masks crafts, duluth pennant,

My idea was to create a French-inspired ‘Galerie’ that plays on our last name, Francois. In terms of materials, cork was an obvious choice for a kids art display wall, but I chose it especially for this project because it’s very fast growing–an Earth-friendly rapidly renewable resource. This particular cork is ¼” thick. It comes in a roll and though it has mixed reviews on Amazon, it arrived here in one piece and worked great for this project.

Large format projects like these keep you on your toes. Literally. From stenciling the cork graphics, to mounting the 3’ x 5’ cork sheet and backer board on the wall, to painting the picture frame trim, you’re always moving. And that’s why I’m partnering with Handy Products to bring you this project. Their USA-made Handy Paint Cup keeps paint (and brush!) conveniently at hand to help speed up the process and make it more fun–no matter the size of your project.

So join me while I knock out this cork board project, will you?!

Supplies:

1/8” thick Hardboard, 4’ x 8’
¼” thick Cork Sheeting, 48” x 72”
Drywall Screws
Cordless Drill
Large Level
Fast-bonding Construction Adhesive
Stencil – I used Cricut Explore Air to create a custom stencil on Vinyl Stencil
Matte Mod Podge
Exacto Knife
Cork-Backed Metal Ruler
Craft Paint for Cork Stenciling
Interior Trim Paint for Painting Cork Board Frame
Make-up Sponge
Paint Brush
Handy Paint Cup
Painter’s Tape
1×4 Pre-Primed Trim Boards
Brad Nailer
2 Scrap Trim Boards for bracing cork while adhesive dries
Router with 3/8” x ½” Bit
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Wood Filler

1. Roll out cork and use heavy books to flatten out the cork sheet. Once flattened, cut cork to your finished size. Our cork board is 41” x 60”.

Erin francois attaching hardboard to wall with screws, walls painted behr whisper white,

2. Cut hardboard to desired size (41” x 60”). Then attach to the wall with screws. We’re using hardboard as a base for the cork to avoid gluing the cork directly to the textured wall. If/when we eventually pull down the cork board, it’ll be easier to patch a few screw and nail holes vs. removing heavy duty adhesive.

3. Create or Buy a Premade Stencil. I created a custom vinyl stencil with my Mom’s Cricut Explore Air Machine. (Thanks Mom!)

How to Create a Custom Stencil in Cricut

Create your design in Adobe Illustrator. Save as a Jpeg with a translucent background.
Cut the stencil (via Cricut) on vinyl medium.
Use the ‘Kiss Cut’ setting to cut the top vinyl layer, and not the bottom backing layer.

modge podge applied to stencil over cork with handy paint cup, oak wood floors below

4. Stencil Your Design on Cork. Apply Mod Podge over your stencil prior to paint in order to seal it up and prevent bleeding. I can’t stress enough how well the Mod Podge worked in preserving crisp stencil lines especially on an irregular surface like cork!

Allow the Mod Podge to dry (about 30 minutes) before applying craft paint. I used craft paint for the cork stenciling as it’s thicker (less liquid-y) than interior paint and thus, less prone to bleeding, but interior paint will also work, if that’s what you have on hand!

handy paint cup holding paint brush with magnet, woman wearing blue shirt jeans, cork board in background, walls painted behr whisper white

Use Handy Paint Cup to keep your Mod Podge and paint close at hand as you move across your design. The genius of the Handy Paint Cup is in the details. The magnet inside the cup intuitively holds your paint brush when not in use, while the cup catches drips like it’s its JOB. The handle is ergonomic and makes keeping your paint close at hand so fantastically easy.

I also like that the Handy Paint Cup is made of recycled plastic. It’s manufactured in the US, and designed locally in Minnesota. There’s no disposable liner with the Handy Paint Cup, so no single-use waste. Simply rinse and re-use again and again.

makeup sponge applying white craft paint to stencil on cork board, handy paint cup, oak wood floors underneath

I used a paint brush to apply the Modge Podge and make-up sponges to apply paint in two light coats.

construction adhesive applied to backside of cork in all over pattern, oak wood floors underneath

5. Adhere Cork Sheet to Hardboard. Apply instant-bond construction adhesive to the backside of the cork, and recruit a friend, your mom or your husband to help you adhere the sheet to the installed hardboard. Use a hardcover book to press the cork sheet to the wall.

cordless drill attaching'bracing' white trim to cork board as a stabilizer while adhesive dries, walls painted behr whisper white

Use scrap trim boards and thin screws to ‘brace’ the cork in place once you adhere it to the wall, as the cork will naturally want to curl back. Attach the scrap trim vertically directly onto the cork on each end with 3-4 screws, and leave in place until construction adhesive is set. Then remove the scrap trim board and screws. The screws will leave small holes behind, but they are very subtle. You won’t even notice them!

Your kids art display wall is now starting to taking shape! Are you excited? Get excited!

large diy kids art display cork board, with painted graphic and border, galerie francois, kids art gallery, behr whisper white painted frame, Erin Francois painting border on cork board with handy paint cup and brush,

6. Create Painted Border with Painter’s Tape.

Note: Step 5 & step 6 are interchangeable. You can paint the border prior to hanging the cork on the wall. I found it easier to use a level to create my vertical/horizontal tape lines once the cork was on the wall. But, if you have a large T-square, it’s equally as easy to mark and paint your border prior to installing the cork.

I used high quality painter’s tape to create a ¼” thick line about 4-3/4” from the cork board edge, and I used the same Modge Podge technique to seal any gaps between the tape and the cork board.

Once the Modge Podge is dry (about 30 minutes), use Handy Paint Cup to apply two coats of craft paint.

pre-primed 1x4 board with notch routed out with router, oak wood floor background, tortoise shell safety glasses

woman painting 1x4 trim with behr whisper white using Handy Paint Cup and brush, woman wearing blue puffy jacket

7. Paint & Install Cork Board Frame. Route a 3/8” deep x ½” wide notch on the backside of each of the 1×4 trim boards. This notch will overlap the cork board slightly when installed, and create a clean finished edge framing the cork board.

Paint 1×4 trim boards your desired color. I used Behr, Whisper White in a satin finish, to match the walls in eggshell. Use the Handy Paint Cup to keep paint conveniently at hand while applying paint.