Classroom Decor Ideas: Bulletin Boards and Borders

Are you ready to give your classroom a fresh, fun, and welcoming look? One of the easiest ways to do that is by focusing on your bulletin boards! These often-overlooked spaces are a great opportunity to bring color, creativity, and personality to your classroom. Whether you’re looking to organize a learning center or just brighten up a blank wall, your bulletin boards deserve a little extra attention, and borders are the perfect way to make them pop. Today, let’s dive into some of the most frequently asked questions I get about bulletin boards, plus some fun border combination ideas and finished board inspiration to get you started. Let the classroom inspiration begin!

Top Ways to Spice Up your Bulletin Board Decor

Cutouts

Posters

Who doesn’t love a good poster? Use them to showcase inspirational quotes, or fun seasonal themes. Posters are a great way to pack a punch in a small space and make your bulletin board look vibrant and engaging! 

Fans

Paper fans are the perfect, easy touch to level up your boards. They’re simple to make, add fun texture, and instantly bring a playful, dynamic element to your display! We even love adding cutouts on top of paper fans!

Student Work Displays

Celebrate your students by showcasing their work with cute student work display sets! Show off their achievements with a dedicated space for student projects, artwork, or writing. It’s a great way to make your classroom feel more personalized and motivate kids to take pride in their work.

Bulletin Board Sets

Elevate your bulletin boards with ready-made bulletin board sets that include everything you need for a cohesive and inspiring display! These sets feature items like inspirational quotes paired with matching cutouts to add both style and positivity to your space. Whether you're looking to inspire creativity, promote growth mindset thinking, or celebrate a theme, these sets make it easy to create a visually appealing and uplifting atmosphere in your classroom!

Fun Border Combinations

We LOVE the look of layered borders to elevate your bulletin boards! Luckily, we’ve created the perfect 5-step plan to help you design the ideal border combination. Simply choose your favorite borders from our Border Bar, and you’ll be all set to create a stunning, personalized display! (Remember: whatever combination makes you happy is the right one!)

The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Bulletin Boards:

1. When printing my classroom decor, do you suggest laminating?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it really depends on your needs! If you’re planning to hang your decor up for the long haul and want it to withstand wear and tear, laminating is a great choice. It’ll keep everything looking crisp and fresh for years. However, if you’re only using the decor for a short time, like a themed unit, printing on regular printer paper works perfectly fine—especially if it's out of reach of little hands. For an extra sturdy feel, consider printing on cardstock, as it adds some weight without the need for lamination. If you do decide to laminate, don’t forget to spray it with a matte clear enamel spray to eliminate any unwanted glare from overhead lights. Trust me, this makes a huge difference!

2. Can you give me some tips on how to layer three borders?

Ah, the magic of layers! One of our favorite tricks for creating stunning bulletin boards is layering borders. You can never go wrong with a double or triple border combination—it adds depth and texture to your display. Our tip for layering is to always start with the outermost border first. Complete that one all the way around your bulletin board, and then work your way in with the next border. When it comes to picking borders, the sky's the limit! Mix up textures, patterns, and solids to create something that truly feels unique. We love combining a bold, geometric pattern with a soft, textured solid for a striking effect. We also think using a combination of straight (foundation) borders and then scalloped borders on the outsides looks fabulous and adds depth to your display! And remember: whatever combination makes you happy is the right one!

Click here to learn more about layering borders!

3. How do you stick cut-outs on paper fans, and how do you place them on a board?

The secret weapon here is Mavalus Tape. It’s super sticky, so your cut-outs won’t budge or peel off easily. For extra security, I recommend reinforcing with a little hot glue, especially for larger items or if you’re dealing with a tricky surface. This will ensure your cut-outs stay put even after the students start moving around the classroom.

4. How do you line up corners on borders?

This short, easy to follow video gives you the only simple steps you need when creating perfect corners on your bulletin boards!

Click here to see how to make perfect border corners!

To Wrap it All Up:

Now that you have some fresh border ideas and bulletin board tips, it's time to let your creativity run wild! Whether you're showcasing student work, celebrating holidays, or designing an interactive learning space, a well-decorated bulletin board can truly enhance the atmosphere of your classroom. Use your space to express your unique style and bring your classroom to life. The key is to make it fun, inspiring, and a place where students feel excited to engage. So, grab those borders, cutouts, and mini posters, and create a space that’s both functional and fabulous!

Show us how you Schoolgirl Styled your classroom by tagging #Schoolgirlstyled !