Top 12 Best Bulletin Boards: Reviews and Buying Guide 2023
In this age of technology when so many things are getting obsolete, it’s funny how a bulletin board is still going strong!
Schools have replaced blackboards with white boards in most parts of the world and you’ll hardly come across the use of chalks as a writing instrument in school.
But the bulletin board is something that is still present in most offices, schools, and even at homes. Announcements made on a closed group in mobile apps can be easily forgotten or overlooked. But with a bulletin panel right in front of you, chances of forgetting are slim!
A bulletin board is even used in shared spaces of housing societies to let people know about houses on rent, tutors available for that neighborhood, and other public messages. Sometimes, it’s the only source of valid information.
With so many numerous uses of a bulletin panel, no doubt you’re also in need of one, whatever your profession might be. We’re here to help you choose the best bulletin board.
After having gone through bulletin board feedbacks by customers, we have compiled a list of the best ones on the block. Read on further and find out the details to make your purchase worthwhile!
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Table of Contents
Benefits Of Using A Bulletin Board
When the handheld device is not large enough, you need a bulletin panel to list down important information for your office, simple things-to-do at home (for example, in the kitchen), or tack your favorite family photographs. Here’s a list of reasons you should get one.
Source Of Information
A bulletin board is a great source of information. If you want to inform your community or school/college colleagues and students about upcoming events, job opportunities, or cultural shows, a notice pinned on a bulletin board will grab attention.
You can easily update information by removing the previous notice and putting a new one in its place.
Tool For Efficiency
Instead of sending messages over email, memos, etc. you can get more efficiency by posting on a bulletin board. This saves time and you don’t have to depend on technology to disseminate information.
In addition, saving time also leads to more productivity as you will have more time to focus on other jobs.
Creates Better Bonding
A lot of times, we see people gathered in front of a bulletin board and discussing relevant issues. This creates a sense of bonding among common groups as the information on the bulletin panel is pertinent for them.
Hence, a bulletin board fosters a sense of belonging to a group. This is important for people from all types of profession as well as students.
Source Of Motivation
When you see photos of successful colleagues pinned on the notice board in the office reception, you also want your picture to be up there someday. Therefore, the bulletin board acts as a source of motivation to egg you on and reach new potential.
In a school setting, the humble bulletin panel inspires students to do better. If they see a poem or works of art by their friends that have been put up on the tack board, they feel inspired.
Wall Decor
With bulletin boards now available in fabric, you can decorate your wall using a bulletin panel. You can even use it as a cover on an imperfect portion of a wall.
Teachers use a bulletin board to pin up colorful pictures and fun messages to make the classroom more cheerful.
Our Top 12 Best Bulletin Boards 2023
1. Umbra Bulletin Board and Magnetic Board for Walls
A 21 by 15-inch bulletboard, it has a unique design to serve your multipurpose needs. You can use both tacks and magnets as the metal surface is perforated, using patented technology.
Use this tack board to put up your lists or pin up pictures. Ideal for use in office or school, by both adults and kids, this product has a sleek look. With a matte nickel finish, it would surely lend a sophisticated look to your room.
It’s very easy to set up as it comes with mounting hardware that’s concealed – an important feature to maintain the sleek and sharp look. Enclosed in the package are 12 magnets and 12 pins, so there’s no need for you to wait till you use it.
With regular usage, it’s normal to have fingerprints and other marks on the metal surface of the bulletin panel. Just use a clean, damp cloth to remove all traces of marks. Your bulletboard will get back its sheen!
It will be sometime before you can even think of replacing this. The product is made of metal, guaranteeing its durability.
You can make full use of its versatility as it can be placed either horizontally or vertically, depending on where you’re putting it up. Thus, you can also use your space wisely.
The light weight allows it to be moved around easily. Turn it into a room décor by pinning pictures and artworks on it. One of the best bulletin board models out there, no doubt!
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2. Quartet Framed Bulletin Board with Natural Cork Surface
This is a traditional bulletin board made from cork. It’s great for rough use at home with its quaint size of 2 by 3 feet. Ideal for mounting in smaller spaces, you can cherish your favorite memories using this cork bulletin board. Use either pushpins or thumbtacks on this natural cork panel.
With a black wood finish frame around the border, the bulletin board will give a nice 3D look. It can make any part of the room instantly noticeable. Hang it vertically or horizontally to best suit the available space and your needs. Or, use it on the wall behind your office desk.
Enclosed is a user manual and mounting hardware so that you can hang it on the wall with minimum hassle. Please note that the mounting hardware is not pre-attached, so you will need to do this bit yourself.
Don’t worry about the durability as the backing of this cork board is made from sturdy material. In addition, it has the maximum ability to hold the pinned items without letting them fall.
Some users have advised not to use any item with adhesive, like scotch tape, on the surface as it could result in the cork coming off. Other users have had issues with the thickness of the cork board.
This is a good option for temporary projects, or you can turn it into a longer lasting panel by having the world map tacked across it.
You can move this around easily, thanks to its light weight.
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3. Quartet Cork Tiles Wall Bulletin Boards
If you don’t want to be confined by a bulletin board of a specific size, then these cork tiles are the perfect solution for you.
Buy a set of 12 by 12-inch cork tiles and cover an entire wall or use to make your own bulletin board. Into these self-stick cork panels, you can use pushpins to put up pictures and notes on the wall.
For more flexibility, you can arrange these tiles with gaps in between to give a different look to your wall. Try having two tiles in a top row and two in the bottom one to turn it into a home décor.
You’ll find it easy and amazing to change the different pictures for each cork tile and how it refreshes the look of your room in a jiffy!
If you happen to work in an office overlooking a busy street, these cork tiles will give you a more peaceful environment. That’s because they have the noise absorption feature.
One pack of these include four cork tiles and adhesive tape so you can have it up on your wall easily.
If the adhesive behind the cork tiles doesn’t hold for long, try using finishing nails to do the job.
You can use two packs of these cork tiles to create a really long board. These long bulletin boards come in great use for people who are into designing and need visual cues.
Each tile is 3/16-inch thick, self-healing and designed to last long.
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4. U Brands Contempo Magnetic Bulletin and Dry Erase Board
This is a well though-out magnetic bulletin board and scores high on user-friendliness and efficiency.
The magnetic erase board has superior functionality and versatility. It’s a great planning tool to conduct meetings that involve creating lists and outlining projects. It’s also a big booster for creativity.
The dry erase panel comes with a firm, white plastic frame, so that you have no complaints about its aesthetics. Moreover, the U-mount and the double-sided Velcro strips make hanging a hassle-free experience.
Besides writing on it, you can also tack your images and notes on the surface with Pin-It board magnets. These cork magnets make the pins suitable for use on any part of the bulletin board. The contoured marker cap design helps to keep the marker in place.
You can use this feature-packed magnetic bulletin board at home, in the office or classroom. You’ll be surprised at how this 11-by-14-inch panel can organize your life at home and work.
The surface has been designed for easy cleaning. What’s more, you won’t notice any ghosting or stains from ink used previously. Using dry erase wipes or board spray, you’ll have it sparkling clean.
The package includes Pin-It cork magnets, dry erase marker with eraser, Velcro strips and U-mount mounting system.
The marker clip can be attached into any side of the frame, fostering easy access. This certainly is one of the best bulletin board models with its multipurpose functions, user-friendly features, and the promise of durability.
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5. U Brands Light Birch Wood Frame Cork Bulletin Board
This cork bulletin board has the size of 23 by 17 inches, making it ideal for use in the office, classroom, at home or any commercial space that needs an information board. You can even put it in the kitchen and pin up your favorite recipes!
The light birch finish wood frame gives it a neat and sober look, fit for hanging anywhere.
The firm hold of the pushpins does away with the worry of paper falling off and lost notices. You can safely pin messages, pictures, calendars, memos, menus, and all. All credit goes to the dense backing material of the board that will hold the pins in place.
With mounting hardware and detailed instructions included, you will have no issues putting this tack board up on the wall. With either a vertical or a horizontal orientation, it’s easy to mount and use. Users have claimed to mount and use it within ten minutes of getting the package.
The package includes a paper measuring stick and brackets for easy mounting.
With the self-healing cork surface, you won’t notice the holes pricked by the pushpins in the past.
Users have had issues with pushing the pins in as the board may be a bit hard and therefore, somewhat difficult to push pins through. Some reviews have mentioned that the pin doesn’t get through all the way. Using short pins are therefore recommended.
Be careful not to polish the birch finish frame as the varnish will come off.
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6. Quartet 14 x 14 inches Framed Bulletin Board
This tack board comes in a convenient 14-by-14-inch size and is just right for use at your home or home office. This is the answer to an organization tool for small spaces.
Add extra style to your space with this product that has a black frame with rounded edges and scroll design. The square shape of the cork bulletin board fits into any space to your convenience.
With the natural cork surface, you can pin up all your to-do lists and reminders, as well as family photos. Safe to be used in the children’s room, you can help your kids become more creative and interactive. They can put up pictures of their favorite cartoon characters and be proud of their project.
Show off your collection of pins and badges on this cork bulletin panel as any and all colors stand out against the surface.
The mounting hardware included makes hanging an easy piece of work. In no time, you’ll be ready to decorate your wall with this hanging miracle.
Thanks to the light weight of this tack board, it’s easy to be carried from one room to another.
Users have recommended placing an extra backing as the one that it comes with might get perforated when a pin is pushed. Hence, if you don’t want to leave marks on your wall, it’s better to use extra backing material.
Although it comes with screws for hanging, if you don’t want to bore holes in your wall, just use double-sided sticky tapes to hang it.
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7. Quartet Oak Finish Frame 23" x 35" Cork Board
If you juggle different projects at home or office, then use this bigger sized bulletin board. It has the space of 23 by 35 inches to help you put your priority lists in plain view. Easily organize your to-do lists and other documents using the large surface area.
The natural cork surface is enhanced by the oak finish frame that adds a subdued tone and sophistication to your wall. Some users have even painted the frame and had no issues. So, you can paint it in any color to match your walls.
Hang it either vertically or horizontally to suit your needs and available space. Mounting is easy with enclosed Z-bracket system. With Velcro Command strips, you can mount it on the wall instead of using screws to secure it in place. This will also save your wall from holes from the screws.
For an even mount using Velcro Command strips, put these on all four corners and in the middle of the top and bottom of the bulletin board.
It’s recommended to use a protection-sheet behind so that the walls don’t suffer from marks by the pushpins. Some users have claimed that the cork surface is thin, and the tacks go right through the backing sheet.
Besides the usual chits and memos, you can also use sticky-notes on the cork surface. These notes don’t fall off, surprisingly!
Although it weighs very little, it’s sturdy and built to last for a long time.
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8. Navy Penguin Bulletin Board Set
Your planning and organization skills will go a notch up with this premium set consisting of one bulletin board and ten colored pushpins, giving you the best value for money.
The convenient size of 16 X 12 inches makes it hangable at home, school, and office. Choose either a horizontal or a vertical orientation and set up your display or presentation easily.
You can make changes of the hanging distance of the bulletin panel using the movable hanging hooks. To make things more durable, instead of using a wood frame, the cork board comes with a heavy-duty aluminum one.
The cork surface is solid and sturdy for you to post messages, memos, pictures, menus, recipes, reminders, notes, and lots more. Its multifunctional features allow it to be used in dorms, on the fridge, children’s room, cubicle, kitchen, or any other place.
A favorite with students, teachers and other professionals, use it at home for planning your day, putting up the grocery list, and prioritizing your to-do lists. The size makes it just right for any space.
There’s no need to worry about the board falling apart or the pins not going deep enough with this cork board. The thickness of the material allows the pushpins to go the full way.
Another plus point is that with the metal backing, the pins won’t touch your walls and leave any marks on them.
Since the pushpins are small parts, keep these away from children aged under 3 years to prevent choking hazards.
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9. Tripollo 24 X 18 Inches Aluminum Frame Magnetic Bulletin Board
For the ultimate convenience of use in a board meeting, workshop, and other interactive sessions, this combination board offers the best of both worlds!
The 36 X 24-inch is a combination of a cork board and a magnetic dry erase board. Write with ease and flourish on the magnetic panel. Clean-up is simple and easy with an eraser. You won’t see any ink stains left.
Its versatility is supreme. You can both pin notes, memos, images and other items on the cork surface and keep track of your thoughts on the magnetic board. All at the same time!
The cork surface is self-healing and long lasting, leaving zero marks or holes from where a pin has been removed. You can push pins into and remove these from the cork surface as much as you want. There won’t be any damage at all!
The mounting hooks are tough, making sure they last for a long time. They are also easy to manoeuvre, allowing you to hang the combination board either vertically or horizontally.
Adding to the durability is the aluminum frame, that’s also anti-scratch. So, you get a sturdy frame that keeps remains free from scratches.
The whole package is a compact organizational tool, targeted to keep your office, school, or home organized and well-managed.
You will find accessories included like an attachable pen tray to keep the marker and eraser in place. In addition, there are 3 dry-erase pens, 1 eraser, 4 magnets, and a set of thumbtacks.
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10. Quartet Fabric Bulletin Board
This 11-by-17-inch bulletin board comes with a fabric surface. It can greatly add to the aesthetics of your home, office, and if you’re wiling to be adventurous, even in a more conspicuous part of your living room.
The frameless design of the panel means you can actually use it as a home décor item. It would be like adding a piece of contemporary art to your wall. Decorate your children’s room with this fabric board and get them to do their own project.
Use this fabric board to pin your pictures, messages, vision and mission, or any other piece of striking information. It will surely attract eyeballs! It’s great for use in a studio or home office.
With the mounting hardware included, you can choose between a vertical or horizontal orientation and hang it easily. If you don’t want to put holes and screws in your wall, you can use Velcro Command strips to hold the panel in place.
You can also carry it from one room to another as it doesn’t weigh heavy or cumbersome.
The fabric comes in cool shades of black or gray and one in a geometric pattern, using black and white. Since these colors go with any shade, they will match walls of any color. However, you won’t be able to choose the color when you place an order.
For a full outfit of your home or workstation, it’s recommended you use this with other boards and accessories.
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11. Impresa Products Magnetic Bulletin Massage Board
This magnetic bulletin board measures 17.5 by 11.5 inches and is around 1.5 millimeters thick. Made from steel, it’s resistant to rust, chip, and scratches, promising to last for a very long time.
The surface of the magnetic board has a powder-coated matte silver-white gray finish to give a very sophisticated and clean look.
Providing a great option to cork bulletin boards, this one has the power to hold all types of magnets on its surface. Use this panel as a part of your home décor to put up magnetic frames for photos, magnetic poetry and letters, etc. Your fridge magnets need not be confined to your fridge anymore!
Since the surface color is neutral, you can hang this on any colored or plain wall without the chance of creating any visually disturbing clash. It’s ideal for use at home, office, school, dorm, and classroom, or any space. Parents, teachers, students and professionals have praised this highly for functionality.
You can hang it either horizontally or vertically. The enclosed screws help to hold the board it in place.
The versatility of this product beats all others. Use it to hold anything that has magnet on it – memos, notes, pictures, and even spice jars!
Before using, try out a dry-erase marker on the back of the bulletin panel to check if it erases well. There shouldn’t be any marker stains left after wiping with a dry eraser. For more stubborn and old marks, use a cleaning solution for best results.
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12. Quartet Aluminum Frame Bulletin Board
A large size bulletin board, this one measures 4 feet width by 3 feet height. Ideal for use in office for meetings and in board rooms, the surface is a black-foam material that’s embossed. This gives a more professional and formal look to office settings.
The backing material is fiberboard with high density, making sure that your pushpins will go through and won’t fall out. Thus, your important notes and messages are held securely.
The structure is sturdily built so it can sustain frequent office use. With this communication and collaboration tool, conducting long and short meeting sessions couldn’t be easier.
Due to the foam surface, the board is self-healing, meaning there are no holes or pocks left behind where a pushpin has been removed. Thus, it maintains a clean and neat look.
Try using enclosed Quartet Quick Clips to hold papers and other documents without holes and without the fear of losing them.
Installation is easy and precise. There is a simple pass-through mechanism on the four corners to hold the board in place on the wall.
If you’re looking for a stylish look or your office, get this panel with a sleek aluminum border. The silver trim on the top and bottom definitely gives a polished look. Plus, the material ensures that it lasts for long.
This is probably the most stylish bulletin board one could have. Users have lauded it for its look, ease of installation, and self-healing surface.
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Bulletin Board Buying Guide For Beginners
Like any other purchases, you need to consider a few factors before you head out to buy the best bulletin board for you home, school, or office.
Once you know what to consider before making the purchase, you’ll be able to make a better decision. Here are the factors to consider.
Size
You are obviously going to hang the bulletin board on a wall. So, knowing how much space you can spare on your wall is a starting point. Take stock of the wall space size to determine the right size for your bulletin board. This will ensure you don’t end up with one that’s either too big or too small.
Quality
After you have determined the size of the panel, your next task is to find out those bulletin panels that deliver on quality. A good quality bulletin board means it will be durable. Hence, you will save money in the long run.
Good brands usually ensure great quality. Always check for bulletin board reviews of the product you intend to buy, the fellow customers won’t give you a sales pitch!
Surface Material
Bulletin board surfaces could be of various types - cork, vinyl, fabric or self-healing.
The traditional bulletin panels have a cork surface. Many people prefer cork as it’s a recyclable material, making it environment friendly.
If you’re looking for a slightly more formal look of a bulletin board so that it gels with the office environment, why not try out a fabric one? With different colors and patterns on fabric, it would give a superior look to your office.
Vinyl bulletin boards provide you with yet another option. These can be washed off easily so that you can maintain neatness. As the vinyl tack panels come in various colors, you can even choose one that matches the color tone of your office!
Self-healing bulletin boards are known to last for a very long time. On top, you will hardly notice the holes made by tacks as time goes by.
Multipurpose Functions
If you would like your bulletin board to provide multipurpose utility, consider buying a combination panel.
Besides being a bulletin board, a combination board doubles up as a whiteboard or a chalkboard. Using such a product is useful in conferences, workshops, and classrooms.
Different Types Of Bulletin Board
As bulletin boards are most commonly and widely used in classrooms, they differ according to their purpose. These can be used as both a decorative element in the classroom and as a communication platform. Here are the four categories of bulletin panels found in classrooms.
Child-Created Bulletin Boards
These bulletin boards display works that have been created by children. Examples include artworks, science projects, poems, and others. Such bulletin panel serve a two-fold purpose.
Firstly, the children feel a sense of pride when they see their own creation displayed on the bulleting panel. This develops their sense of confidence and self-identity.
For parents, child-created bulletin boards show what their children have been learning in school. They also get pleasure from looking at children’s projects.
Decorative Bulletin Boards
As the name implies, these bulletin boards are used for decorative purposes. These can bring a sense of cheer and a pop of color in classrooms. Such cork panels could be themed, based on the different seasons. Or, these could be based on events or festivals particular to the school.
The key benefit of a decorative board in a classroom is to relieve the monotony and drabness usually associated with learning environments.
Conceptual Bulletin Boards
A picture is worth a thousand words. That’s why when explaining a concept in the classroom, teachers often resort to using images pinned on the bulletin board.
This not only helps the teacher to explain the concept better, it also helps students to grasp the concept well by image association. For example, there could be pictures of the Solar System on a tack board for a Science lesson.
Interactive Bulletin Boards
Students can move elements or pin pictures or color-coded strips on an interactive cork board. Basically, such a panel helps to develop a host of skills in children. Examples include social, muscle coordination, eye-to-hand, analytical, color, number and letter recognition, left and right-side recognition, and problem-solving skills.
An example of an interactive cork board is one where students put parts of a map like in a jigsaw puzzle, to form the whole world map or the map of any country.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Bulletin Boards
1. Is A Bulletin Board Necessary?
Answer: A bulletin board may not be necessary, but it does help to bring attention to important pieces of information in a wide setting. In schools, offices, and neighbourhoods, a bulletin panel can be used to share knowledge that’s relevant to the people living or working in a particular environment.
2. What’s The Best Type Of A Bulletin Board?
Answer: Depending on your needs and the place you work in, you need to choose the best bulletin board. While a cork panel board works well in a classroom, you could opt for the vinyl or fabric one in a more formal office environment.
For using in interactive meetings and workshops, a combination board gives you the flexibility to switch between a bulletin panel and a whiteboard or a chalkboard.
3. How Can You Make An Interactive Bulletin Board?
Answer: For an interactive bulletin board, it’s best to make it according to the level of understanding of your students. You can keep it simple yet informative.
For example, you can put up a picture of the world map on the board with some of the parts missing. The students can fill in the missing parts and make the picture whole.
4. Is It Easy To Make A Decorative Board?
Answer: To make a decorative board, you can choose a theme based on a season or a play or a science project that’s relevant for the school and for the region you live in.
It’s easy to make a decorative board by collecting pictures related to the theme and tacking them on the panel. You can also use colourful border strips to give a 3D look to your tack board.
5. Does A Conceptual Bulletin Board Help?
Answer: Yes, if you have images and bold texts related to the concept you’re explaining to your students or colleagues, a conceptual cork board helps. Most people find it easier to understand concepts by picture association.
For example, if you’re teaching ‘Gone With The Wind’ to a class, it would help to put up pictures of The Great Depression, war, slavery and other themes related to the novel.
6. What Are The Sizes Of Bulletin Boards Available?
Answer: Bulletin boards come in many different sizes, starting from 4 by 8 feet to 12 by 18 inches. Whether you’re going to put it up in your cubicle or at the entrance of your apartment complex will determine the right size for you.
Always measure the space available for hanging the panel before you order one. Remember to keep some breathing space around the bulletin board and take your measurements accordingly.
7. Is It Possible To Staple On A Bulletin Board?
Answer: Yes! You can either use a staple gun or a regular stapler. All you need to do is flip the bulletin panel carefully once you have all the elements in the right place.
Just like you use a regular stapler, you can do the same on a cork board. This is easy because the cork is a soft material that allows easy tacking and stapling.
8. What’s The Right Fabric For A Bulletin Board?
Answer: The best fabric for a bulletin board is flannel or cotton. These materials are easy to stretch and will pose no problem in fitting them to a bulletin board. They’re soft and so it’s easy to pin through them. Moreover, you can choose fabrics to match your walls and office color tone to make the whole look more coordinated.
Final Words
With a simple item like a bulletin board, you can change the tone of the classroom or office environment and disseminate important information. Like any other home décor element, you can put your travel or family pictures up on it and use it as a visual storyteller.
A bulletin panel goes a long way in creating more knowledgeable children with advanced social and coordination skills. It also helps them grow a sense of pride and confidence through a public display of their creativity.
We have tried to give you a comprehensive post about the best bulletin boards to increase your efficiency and productivity at school or office. If you know the size, type and purpose, you should be able to make a good purchase.
Bulletin boards are sure to stand the test of time. These may become better developed in terms of surface materials, but the basic function of information sharing on a large canvas will be there. We hope you’ve had a good read and are now ready to make your message large, loud, and clear!