Office Desktop Organizer – DIY Dry Erase Board

Reinventing the ugly token office supply with this cute desktop organizer, a DIY Dry Erase Board that you can easily make from items already at home. 

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

I’m totally one of those people that has to have a list on hand at all times. For some reason, lists help me relax because if not, I feel like I’m constantly on edge that I’ll forget a major to-do.

And forgetting tasks isn’t an option while juggling kids, renovations, and Sugar and Cloth.

Handwritten lists help me rest more easily, and a reusable tabletop version is a must.

As it turns out, cute desktop dry-erase boards aren’t really the easiest thing to come by.

Office supply stores usually just have your typical white panel board.

So I made my own DIY dry-erase board out of a few token items that we already had laying around the studio.

Cheap and easy is my current middle name!

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

Materials and Tools Needed to Make a DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board

Gold geo picture frame — Or any photo frame of your choice. You won’t even need to go to your local hardware store for a whiteboard or whiteboard paint because you can just write directly on any picture frame glass!

Scissors

White construction paper

Gold foiling pen — Optional to decorate.

Stencil — Optional to decorate. Ours is more from an old Martha Stewart stencil collection.

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

Desk Accessories – How To Make A DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board

All you need to do is cut down the white construction paper to the full width of the frame so that you have a nice white backdrop to write on. 

You definitely don’t need to buy any extra supplies for this DIY whiteboard outside of the frame (unless you want to use one from home already).

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

BUT if you’d like to add a little extra graphic or “to-do list” heading that won’t wipe away, just stencil it onto the construction paper with a permanent marker like a gold foil pen.

And by the way, speaking of gold foil, these DIY Gold Foil Wall Art with free printables to recreate is perfect for wall decor lovers.

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

Next, let it dry completely before inserting the paper into the picture frame.

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

The glass of the frame will act on the board. Glass is easy to write on and wipe off just like dry erase boards.

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

Now you can write on the front glass from the frame with dry-erase markers and wipe it away just like so!

And what a pretty way to keep your desk organized while displaying all your cute things at the same time with a Hexagonal DIY Desktop Organizer!

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

Customizing Your Desktop Dry Erase Board

This project is definitely one you can personalize however you want. We used a stencil, but you can pick any image or text.

I also used a 5′” x 7″ photo frame but you can opt for a smaller or bigger size.

You can pair it with this stylish and functional piece DIY Clay photo holder.

DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

Other DIY Organization Projects To Try

Keep your space clean and tidy with other DIY projects and office makeovers from our archives for more great ideas —

photo of the DIY Dry Erase Board for your home or office desktop by top Houston lifestyle blogger Ashley Rose of Sugar & Cloth
DIY Desktop Dry Erase Board | sugar & cloth

DIY Dry Erase Board

Print
5 from 3 votes
Reinventing the ugly token office supply with this cute desktop organizer, a DIY dry erase board that you can easily make from items already at home. 
Total Time30 minutes
Course DIY
Category Office

Equipment

  • Scissors

Materials

  • Picture frame 
  • White construction paper
  • Gold foiling pen  optional
  • Stencil Optional

Instructions

  • Cut down the white construction paper to the full width of your frame so that you have a nice white backdrop to write on. 
  • Optional: If you want to add extra graphic or a "to-do list" heading that won't wipe away: Stencil in your desired permanent graphic or text onto the construction paper with the gold foil pen. And let it dry completely.
  • Insert the paper in the picture frame. Now you can write on the front glass from the frame with dry erase markers!
Cost: $30
KEYWORD: diy dry erase board

Don’t forget to share your DIY office desktop organizer with us on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. We always love seeing all of your creations! Looking for more interior design inspiration? You can find all of our home decor tutorials and ideas right here!

Please note that we may earn a commission for some of the above affiliate links. However, products featured are independently selected and personally well-loved by us!

43 thoughts on “Office Desktop Organizer – DIY Dry Erase Board”

  1. Pingback: 35 Cheap DIY Dry Erase Board Ideas to Make - Suite 101
  2. Love it. A few questions.
    1. Do you think it could be made with a different color than white?
    2. I wonder if I could make a long horizontal one? I need a weekly at a glance in front of me . I coordinate rental space for garden weddings and university events. Theres always one more thing to do for ea event in house
    3. Lastly do you think it could be made cheaper than $30? A smidgen pricey these days :)

    Reply
    • Hi Michele! Great questions! 1) Yes, but we recommend choosing something light and pale so it can be read easily. 2) Yes, you can! As long as you find a long horizontal frame (which we don’t think would be hard to find). Your job sounds lovely! 3) Yes, you could make it cheaper. It cost us about $30 because the frame was about $25. So the cost of the project really depends on how much you spend on the frame. Hope this helps!

      Reply
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  18. As pretty my opinion, To be a little more precise people should give a little more of an emphasis on quality rather than quantity. It’s all about value

    Reply
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  26. Great round up and a really great idea – awareness definitely still needs raising. Really sorry that I couldn't contribute but I just didn't manage to fit anything in, busy busy!

    Reply
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  28. This dry erase board is so easy to make! I’ve been trying to be more organized lately, and having one of these desktop dry erase boards would probably be a good first step toward achieving that goal. Plus, it looks so pretty! I really love the gold stencil that you added to the frame because it gives the board a fun touch!

    -Helen
    http://www.sweethelengrace.com

    Reply
  29. Ashley! I love this idea. Firstly because it’s adorable. But mostly because my refrigerator won’t hold magnets for some reason (makes me so sad) and I have no where to put my dry erase board (which is ugly, honestly). I want to make this! It’s so cute.

    Reply

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