How do you make a magnetic wall?
You’ve come to the right place! This DIY magnetic wall post shares all the steps to make your own.
When my oldest was nearly two, I knew I wanted a magnetic wall in our new home.
However, Google searches were a black hole.
Here I was, staring at so many great photos on Pinterest, and yet none of them had step-by-step directions on where to find the materials needed and how to attach the magnetic board to the wall.
I am determined to help your How to DIY a Magnetic Wall search become more productive than it was for me!
RELATED: You can see the magnetic wall, plus much more of our playroom storage and organization.
Finding the perfect magnetic board
When starting, my major obstacle was finding a sizeable magnetic sheet.
The internet pointed me in the direction of Home Depot and, after three trips, finally gave up. Nothing was the size I wanted. I had a similar obstacle to my online search with office suppliers.
Finally, someone suggested I visit our local fabrication shop for a large piece of sheet metal.
Winner, winner chicken dinner! Here we go! – Only, how on earth will we hang this large magnetic metal sheet? Don’t worry; we are going to get to that part next.
RELATED: We play a lot in this room! Here are 50+ play ideas to get you going!
How do you attach a magnetic board?
Luckily, I had some help from two great artisans; my dad and my grandpa. They were determined to have the sheet metal secured to the wall, along with helping me create the finished look that I was hoping for.
Once we found a local fabrication shop, we purchased a large sheet of plywood to secure the sheet metal before mounting it to the wall. They did this to protect the drywall if we ever wanted to take the board down.
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First, Measure your wall.
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Next, Determine the desired size of your magnetic wall. You may have to be flexible depending on what the fabrication shop has.
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Call your local fabrication shop and ask if they sell a large metal sheet to consumers.
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Ask the metal shop if they deliver.
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Purchase a piece of 1/4″ plywood the same size as your sheet metal.
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Purchase wood you would like for the border. Ask your home improvement store if they will cut everything to the desired size.
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Find your studs and mount your plywood with a power drill to your wall. Remember to keep the wall at a height your child can reach.
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Use the liquid nail glue to apply your sheet metal to the plywood.
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Smooth out your sheet metal to prevent bubbling.
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Finally, frame the magnetic wall with the wood you bought for a border. Framing the wall will also help the magnetic sheet metal stay in place.
RELATED: Legos taking over your dining room table? Me too. I found a Lego storage solution!
Next, your magnetic wall is up! Invite your toddler and preschooler to play.
PRO TIP: The horseshoe magnets come in a pack of 12. Save your extras for birthday gifts!
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Where will you hang your magnetic wall?
This is such an awesome post and so helpful!! Thank you!
Thanks, Lauren! I am so happy you found it helpful!
Thank you so much for this!! What are your thoughts about adding a lego and whiteboard section as well?
Hi, Maryann!
I think these are great ideas!
I would picture the overall vision of the room longterm and run with those ideas.
Also, having more than three sections may look too busy unless you keep the middle section one clean wall to break it up.
Looking forward to hearing what you come up with!Beth
What a great idea.
We used magnetic paint (https://www.magnet-shop.com/living/magnetic-paint/2207/magnet-paint) on our sons wall. Work just the same. He loves to play on his magnetic wall, and he loves the fact, that it is invisible:-)
Fantastic idea! Do you need the 1/4″ plywood behind the sheet metal? Can one attach the sheet metal directly to the wall or is this not recommended? Thank you!
Hi! Yes. Not required. You can glue to the wall but if you remove it at a later date the sheetrock will be destroyed and will require replacement. If you use the plywood and remove later you would only have small screws holes to patch and paint.
Also, the glue will hold better on a non painted surface and you only need a 1/4” plywood or other thin board. Only to protect the sheetrock with removal.