I get super excited when I come up with ideas for crafts using supplies that have been left over from previous projects. This particular project was created out of necessity for descriptive labels to attach to our fabric storage totes in our newly updated laundry room/command center (reveal coming soon!!). Since we will be on the move again in less than a year I didn’t want to permanently label the totes in the event that they wouldn’t be serving the same purpose at our next house. I considered several different options such as using velcro to attach laminated labels or using a hook to hang a small wooden sign from the edge of the bin, however, once I remembered that I still had some pre-made chalkboard left over from my mirror-turned-chalkboard, I quickly formulated an idea to easily create a few magnetic chalkboard signs for my bins. This “project” was hardly a project at all, in my case I had to have my hubby cut them down to size using his circular saw but if I had purchased a new piece of pre-made chalkboard at my local home improvement store they would have cut it for me at no charge, so all that is really required is some hot glue and magnets! This is an awesome organization strategy for a renter as you won’t need to deface anything permanently, since the signs are held in place by magnets on either side of the fabric and they can be switched from bin to bin (or surface to surface) seamlessly. I will definitely be returning to this project when I get around to organizing our pantry in the near future.

DIY MAGNETIC CHALKBOARD SIGN 

*The amount/size of your supplies will depend on your specific need and how many signs you plan to make.

WHAT I USED:

• Chalkboard MDF, cut to size – Available here at Home Depot, when I made my original project they cut mine at no extra charge. Since I was using left overs from another project my hubby cut mine down to size, they are roughly 12″X4″ because that is what best fit my totes. NOTE: You can always use very thin MDF wood painted with chalkboard paint if you do not have access to this pre-made product!
• STRONG magnets – I purchased these small disc magnets via Amazon for $8.99 per pack of 10. If possible test that the magnets you have will hold securely through the bin, I only required two per sign (or 4 per bin, two for the sign and two to hold on the opposing side of the tote) however, if your signs are larger or your tote fabric is on the thicker side you may require more than two magnets.
• Glue Gun/Hot Glue

INSTRUCTIONS:

Step 1: If your chalkboard has already been cut to size by your local home improvement store disregard this step. However, if you are either making your own chalkboard or you are like me and reusing left overs you will need to cut your pieces to size using an electric or hack saw. I had my hubby cut them to 12″X4″ pieces.

Step 2: Next take your magnets and use a dot of hot glue to secure one to either side of the back of your piece of chalkboard, if you would like a stronger hold use three spaced equally apart. NOTE: I know nothing about magnets but if you purchase the ones mentioned above they are STRONG, lol. When I was messing around with them when unwrapping them two of them snapped together on my finger and I almost cried, haha. Don’t get me wrong, this is what you want because I’m not sure that a plain old fridge magnet would hold the weight of the wood through the fabric and body of the tote, but still,  you have been warned! Another note, before you glue your magnets be sure that you have set aside sets of two that will attract and that you are gluing them on with the correctly attracting side facing out. Now all you have to do is hold your sign in place where you would like it displayed on the front of the fabric tote and match up the opposing magnets to the inside front of the tote. How easy is that!?

Without giving away too much of my awesome laundry room makeover here is how I have the chalkboard signs displayed on my totes!