A DIY pinboard map to showcase the places you’ve been!
We recently decided to incorporate a travel theme to our home because traveling is a common love between the two of us. I had been trying to think of a related decoration to hang over our piano and wanted a framed pinboard map of the places we’ve been. After a quick Google search, I found that this type of framed map is just way too expensive to buy (starting in the $200 range)!
So Ben and I set out to make our own. We already had a large foam insulation board in the garage that he cut down to size and I found a cheap vintage looking world map poster on Amazon. Ben came up with how to do it (after my failed attempt primarily using mod podge). We used spray adhesive to the back of the poster, then quickly and carefully stuck it to the insulation board. Then, using inspiration from this post, we made a trip to Hobby Lobby to purchase our frame.
Here’s how we did it and how much it cost:
Supplies:
24- x 36-inch World Map Poster (Amazon.com) – $5 including shipping
Foam Insulation Board (The Home Depot) – $10 for 4′ x 8′ sheet, but we already had this on hand
24- x 36-inch Frame (Hobby Lobby) – $20 on sale
Krylon 7777 Super Quick Grip Spray Adhesive (Michael’s) – $6 with 40% off coupon
OPTIONAL: Mod Podge Matte Finish (Hobby Lobby) – $6 with 40% coupon
Map Pins (Office Max) – $3.00
Total Cost:
$50.00 (or less, if not using Mod Podge or you already have supplies on hand)
1) Spray the back side of the poster map and the front side of the insulation board with an even layer of the adhesive spray.
2) Working quickly, carefully place the poster over top the insulation board (the sticky side). We didn’t cut the insulation board to the exact size until after we stuck the poster map to it. In other words, the insulation board was about 1 inch larger on each side in order to give us room for error, then Ben cut it to the size of the poster once it was glued on.
3) Use a credit card to smooth down the poster map onto the insulation board and get rid of bubbles. Note: You will have to embrace some bubbling. Unless you are a super amazing bubble blaster, it is impossible to not have bubbles. If bubbles do not appear now, they probably will later… Let dry for at least 1 hour. After this step, I also added a thin layer of matte finish Mod Podge to take out the glossiness of the poster for a more vintage/worn look. The Mod Podge is not required.
4) Tape the map to the back of the frame.
5) Nail in your hook. (Look at my man’s sexy work hands! Rawrrr!)
6) You’re done! Hang that puppy up and start pinning!
We use our map to pin the places we’ve been together as a couple (red), as a family (white), and then where we have friends and family ministering so we can remember to pray for them (black). We want to use this map to teach our children to pray for those serving God around the world, while learning a bit of geography.
Plus, it adds nice a rustic decor to our living room, don’t you think?
Angie Landon says
February 26, 2014 at 6:28 AMVery cool
Jen @ BeantownBaker.com says
February 26, 2014 at 7:53 AMWe made a “newlywed map” after we got married for the same reasons. We put pins in any place we’ve been since we started dating. It’s been fun to add new pins as the years go by.
Becky says
February 26, 2014 at 8:35 AMI love it! I especially like trimming the foam board down to size AFTER the map is glued on…I wouldn’t have thought of that and would have probably ended up very frustrated 🙂
Karen says
February 26, 2014 at 11:41 AMUm, I LOVE THIS!!!! Maybe I can convince Addison to do this when he’s not busy with seminary (May 2015??!!)
Sue Gladd says
March 2, 2014 at 8:13 PMFabulous idea!!!
Lizzie says
August 5, 2014 at 10:46 AMBrilliant! Love the commentary too :)! Thanks for sharing!
Hannah says
August 17, 2014 at 9:14 PMAWESOME! Thanks for the amazon link, it’s the cheapest place I’ve found a cool map like that! Planning to give this as a graduation gift to travel-lovers and gonna make one for our living room too!
Nikki Gladd says
August 18, 2014 at 7:16 AMGreat idea to gift it, Hannah! 🙂
Sue Gladd says
October 28, 2014 at 8:21 PMI love your map. Have you heard of “Flat Stanley”? The first grade at our school uses a huge map in the hall to keep track of him. It’s funny how maps are nothing until you use them to teach your kids where you are and where you’ve been.
Suheyla says
December 9, 2014 at 3:04 AMGreat idea!! Thank you for sharing this. I’m hoping to attempt to recreate it as a gift. Do you know how thick the foam board you used was?
Thanks again!! xxx
Nikki Gladd says
December 9, 2014 at 12:16 PMHi Suheyla,
I think it was about 1/2 inch thick? Maybe less?
Erin says
March 26, 2015 at 1:24 PMI LOVE THIS!!! I am going to make my husband one for our 1st anniversary and am so excited! The frame is phenomenal! I really hope Hobby Lobby still has it! EEEK! Wish me luck!!
Brad says
June 12, 2015 at 10:31 AMCould you specify the name of the frame you used from Hobby Lobby? It looks really good but I am having trouble finding it. Thanks.
Nikki Gladd says
June 12, 2015 at 12:27 PMHi Brad. I’m sorry, I don’t know the exact name of it. It is one of their normal frames they carry in their custom framing aisle. I guess it’s possible they do not carry it anymore, but I’d be surprised because it’s a pretty popular one. Maybe they were out of stock the day you went in? Make sure you’re looking in custom framing and not in normal picture frames aisle. Hope this helps!
Brad says
June 12, 2015 at 10:32 AMWhat is the name of the Hobby Lobby frame?
Lisa says
August 15, 2015 at 2:53 PMHere’s a tip that worked for me: spray the adhesive on the board, not the map, that way the map doesn’t get so wrinkled. I got repositionable adhesive and was able to lift up a corner that got accidentally tucked under. Also smooth from the center outwards.
Nikki Gladd says
August 15, 2015 at 3:12 PMThanks, Lisa!
Eve says
September 20, 2015 at 6:47 PMHi,
I am trying to find out the difference between the foam board and the foam insulation board. Is there much difference in using either?
Elyse says
December 3, 2015 at 4:19 PMSince the foam board is quite thick, how did you cut it down? Do regular scissors work? Thanks!
Nikki Gladd says
December 6, 2015 at 6:55 PMI used an exacto knife.
Jennifer says
May 18, 2016 at 10:26 PMI’m soooo glad that I came across this post. I’ve been looking to buy one of these for my boyfriend, but I agree, they were too expensive. I had thought of making my own as I am very crafty was I was a bit intimidated by how much time it might take. Thank you for sharing!
Parquet Indo says
July 18, 2017 at 8:05 AMso helpfull for thos who dont know
Lynne says
August 19, 2017 at 11:42 PMThis was very helpful. Be sure that you get foam board that is only 1/2 inch thick. I got 1 inch and it’s way too thick. It causes a problem with how to hang the frame. Thank you for the post!
Nikki Gladd says
August 20, 2017 at 4:59 PMThanks for the tip, Lynne!
Von says
January 19, 2018 at 5:26 PMGlad I read the comments. Thanks for the tip!
Von says
January 19, 2018 at 6:01 PMMy project hasn’t started out well, so I’m happy to find your tutorial. I purchased the map and a 24 x 36 framed cork board from Walmart, not realizing the size of the cork board included the frame. Even after removing the frame, the map was too big. BTW, I found the cork on that board was paper thin, attached to cardboard. Like that you used foam board. Will try that!
Anonymous says
February 23, 2018 at 8:57 PMDONT USE MOD PODGE … WAY TO MANY WRINKLES !! … HAVE TO START OVER NOW!! USE THE SPRAY LIKE THEY DID