Simple DIY Upcycled Cork Board Placemats

This simple diy upcycled cork board placemat transformation will easily revamp your old cork-backed placemats into trendy ones you will enjoy using.

Rectangular cork placemats are very useful for everyday table settings and there’s nothing more satisfying than repurposing old placemats.

After all, cork backed placemats are very durable and won’t damage your tabletop.

Plus, they’re sturdy, spill-proof, and easy to clean. Simply wipe them with a little dish soap and a damp sponge, then let them air dry.

I mean, what better way to extend the life of your old cork placemats than to upcycle them?

And, this simple diy placemat also uses wallpaper! Something else you can repurpose!!

It’s a double upcycle diy!

Whoop – Whoop!

Supplies for Easy DIY Upcycled Cork Placemats

Please note that this article may contain affiliate links. I may get commissions (at no cost to you) for purchases made through these links. You can read my full disclosure for more details.

How to Make a Simple DIY Upcycled Cork Board Placemats

Step 1: Determine if you will be upcycling old cork placemats or creating new ones

Will you be upcycling old placemats made from cork board?

Or will you be making new placemats from cake boards?

Or will you be doing a combination? That’s what I had to do, as I had only three usable corkboard placemats and I needed more than three.

Once you decide, the process will be the same for both to transform them into fabulous new diy placemats

Step 2: Prepare your placemats

If you will be upcycling old placemats, be sure and clean the printed side of any food, stains, or oils, so that you have a clean surface.

If you will be creating new placemats, you will want to cut your cake boards down to the appropriate size.

The standard size of a placemat is 12 inches by 18 inches.

As you can see, my cake boards had scalloped edges, which I trimmed off to match the straight edge of my old cork-backed placemats.

Step 3: Attaching the wallpaper to your simple DIY upcycled corkboard placemats backing

The fun part of this diy upcycle placemat project is using leftover wallpaper.

It’s a great project to repurpose wallpaper and integrate it into your table decor.

I found the wallpaper I used at an estate sale. It was cheap and just the right amount for this fun diy placemat project.

First, you will want to line up the edge of your placemat along the edge of your wallpaper. This will ensure that it will be straight when you attach it.

Next, cut the wallpaper a little larger than your placemat.

Then you will brush a layer of Mod Podge on the top of your old placemat, or cake board.

Now, with the wallpaper face down, place the glue side of your placemat on the wallpaper.

Since Mod Podge doesn’t dry quickly, you have a little time to wiggle the placemat into place – making sure that the edges line up.

Step 4: Completing your diy upcycled placemat

Once your placemat is attached to the wallpaper, flip it over.

Then take a bone folder, a brayer, or a ruler’s edge, and smooth out any bubbles or puckers in the wallpaper. *Be sure and start in the middle and work your way out to the edges.