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A flat lay of a lemon-patterned napkin, yellow plate with cookies, two lit candles in golden holders, and white flowers on a white tablecloth.

Home › DIY › Easy Corkboard Placemats DIY

Easy Corkboard Placemats DIY

Crafts Decor DIY
By Janine Waite · Published on May 2, 2025
Affiliate Disclosure: This Post May Contain Affiliate Links.

Easy Corkboard Placemats are a quick and stylish DIY project you’ll love! These charming placemats take less than ten minutes to make and are both waterproof and wipeable, making cleanup a breeze. Best of all, you only need five simple supplies: a corkboard, temporary wallpaper, glue, scissors, and a razor blade.

Bright, spring-themed table setting with a floral table runner, white flowers in a ceramic vase, candles in glass holders, Pellegrino water, and elegant glassware on a white dining table and sideboard.

Over the years, I’ve shared a few of these blog post DIY’s. Here are a few you might enjoy pursuing!

More Craft DIYS

Boho DIY Placemats with Tassels

These Boho DIY Placemats with tassels are easy to make! I love that they nicely match my Serena & Lily Catalonia bohemian-style placemats.

Easy DIY Placemats

This easy DIY placemat project is super fun to create and brings a great touch of personality to your dining table. One of the best things about laminated corkboard placemats is their low maintenance. You can easily wipe them down with a damp cloth to clean up spills or crumbs; they should hold up well over time. 

Spring Tablecloths

This collection of runners comes in floral, striped, solid-colored, cotton, linen, outdoor, and more!

A bright, airy table setting features easy corkboard placemats, floral napkins, white plates, glassware, candles, a basket of napkins, and a centerpiece of white flowers in a ceramic vase on a white tablecloth.

I’ll admit it — I’m pretty particular about our dining table. I always have a tablecloth down, which means placemats are a must. And since my husband is a lovable (but messy) eater, I like to keep wipeable, easy-to-clean placemats on hand. The less laundry, the better!

So recently, I came up with a new design that skips the hassle of laminating pretty papers at the local print shop. It saved me time and money — and I love how it turned out!

Let’s take a look at this tutorial!

Create Stylish and Easy Corkboard Placemats in Minutes

It’s so simple to make stylish and easy corkboard placemats—grab some old placemats, fresh wallpaper, and a little glue, and you’ll have a whole new look in minutes!

Why You’ll Love These DIY No-Sew Placemats

Quick and Easy to Make

These no-sew DIY placemats are perfect if you’re looking for a fast and fun, easy placemat craft. You only need a few simple supplies and about ten minutes to give old corkboard new life. There are no sewing or complicated steps—just cut, glue, and you’re done!

Waterproof and Easy to Clean

These cork placemats aren’t just cute—they’re super practical, too. Thanks to the temporary wallpaper and optional contact paper, your placemats with cork backing are now waterproof and wipeable. With just a quick swipe, they’re clean and ready for your next meal.

Budget-Friendly and Customizable

Making cork placemats at home is a smart and stylish way to save money. You can easily create custom looks with wallpaper to match the seasons or holidays—think bright summer colors or Christmas themes. It’s affordable, fun, and easy to update anytime!

A flat lay of a lemon-patterned napkin, yellow plate with cookies, two lit candles in golden holders, and white flowers on a white tablecloth.

What Are Corkboard Placemats?

All About Corkboard Placemats

Corkboard placemats are exactly what they sound like — placemats with a cork backing that make them durable, heat-resistant, and easy to use on a daily basis. The cork layer protects your table from heat and scratches and gives the placemats a sturdy feel that stays in place during meals. You’ll often see versions like pimpernel placemats or seasonal cork placemats, Christmas designs, but making your means you can personalize them to match your decor.

Why Make DIY Corkboard Placemats?

Benefits of Using Cork Backing Placemats

There’s a lot to love about placemats with cork backing. They’re naturally heat-resistant, which helps protect your table, and they don’t slide around easily like fabric placemats. Plus, when covered with temporary wallpaper and sealed with contact paper, they become easy-to-clean placemats—perfect for wiping down after meals without worrying about stains or needing to wash them constantly.

Why Cork Placemat Projects Are Perfect for Beginners

This is it if you’re searching for a fun and simple DIY. These DIY placemats require just a few basic supplies and very little time. There’s no sewing, no complicated steps — just cut, glue, and trim. This makes them an ideal weekend craft or a great project with kids or friends. In no time, you’ll have custom placemats that are both pretty and practical.

Several rolls of decorative paper with lemon and terrazzo patterns are displayed on a table with white roses, a yellow lemon, and gold scissors nearby—perfect for DIY projects like easy corkboard placemats. The scene is bright and cheerful.

Supplies You’ll Need for This DIY Placemat

Basic Materials

Corkboard Placemats or Old Pimpernel Placemats

Temporary Wallpaper or Contact Paper

Glue (for extra hold)

Scissors and Razor Blade (for clean cuts)

Optional Supplies

Clear Contact Paper (for extra waterproofing if you prefer)

How to Make No-Sew Placemats

Step 1 – Prepare Your Corkboard Placemats

Clean and dry placemat surface.

A flat lay of a workspace with easy corkboard placemats, a brown mat, gold scissors, a roll of floral and fruit-patterned paper, white and yellow flowers, and lemons on a marble surface.
A rectangular corkboard on white paper, surrounded by yellow lemons, white flowers, a gold scissor, and a lemon-patterned cloth on a light surface.

Step 2 – Cut the Temporary Wallpaper

Measure and trim to fit. I cut my wallpaper beyond the size of the placemat and then trimmed it after it was secured on. At first, I tried trimming it to fit, but then I attempted to line up the paper with the mat—and let’s just say, that didn’t go well at all!

A person spreads white paste onto the edge of a rectangular piece of cardboard. Lemons, flowers, a gold pair of scissors, and a lemon-patterned napkin are on the white table around the workspace.
A person’s hand peels paper from easy corkboard placemats on a marble surface, surrounded by lemons and white flowers.

Step 3 – Attach the Wallpaper

Apply glue for a secure hold; this is optional. Peel one edge of the backing off the wallpaper and place it down on the corkboard. Slowly unroll the backing and press the paper onto the board as you go. This helps keep it smooth and prevents it from sticking to itself.

Smooth and press down with your fingers.

Step 4 – Trim the Edges

Use a razor blade for clean, precise edges. Turn over your placemat and place it on a kitchen cutting board. Run your razor blade along the board’s edge and trim the excess paper.

Step 5 – Optional: Seal with Clear Contact Paper

To add durability and make them easy-to-clean placemats, place clear contact paper on top of your wallpaper and trim along the edges as mentioned in step 4.

Tap on Images to Shop!

Seamless pattern featuring yellow lemons, lemon slices, green leaves, and white flowers on a light background—perfect for bright, fresh easy corkboard placemats that evoke a summery, citrus feel.
A set of four easy corkboard placemats with a fork, knife, and white plates with gold rims arranged on the top mat, showing a simple table setting. The top right corner of the placemat is slightly lifted.
A roll of wallpaper with a terrazzo pattern featuring scattered blue, gray, and white stone-like shapes on a light background—perfect for pairing with easy corkboard placemats for a coordinated decor look.
A Fiskars precise craft knife with a silver blade, gray handle, and orange SoftGrip™ section—perfect for creating easy corkboard placemats. Text beside it highlights the tool's precision, durable handle, and comfortable grip.
A white bottle of Crafter’s Pick The Ultimate! glue with a pointed nozzle. This non-toxic, water-based super glue is perfect for projects like easy corkboard placemats—adheres to metals, plastics, glass, and more, and dries clear.
A roll of Con-Tact Brand clear covering adhesive paper with a matte finish, featuring a grid-lined backing for easy measuring and cutting—perfect for creating easy corkboard placemats. The packaging shows example uses for the product.
Colorful illustration of various flowers and leaves, including yellow, pink, orange, blue, and purple blooms, densely arranged on a light background—perfect for creating vibrant and cheerful easy corkboard placemats.
A repeating pattern of vertical rows of black, horizontally striped, leaf-shaped ovals on a white background. The evenly spaced design adds a geometric touch, perfect for creating easy corkboard placemats with a modern and symmetrical flair.
Illustrated birds perched on flowering branches with white blossoms, green leaves, and ripe oranges against a light blue background—perfect for creating easy corkboard placemats that bring a serene, natural atmosphere to your table.
Four stacked easy corkboard placemats with a black-and-white botanical print featuring flowers, leaves, a bird, berries, and butterflies on a light background.
Four rectangular easy corkboard placemats with a black and white checkered gingham pattern, stacked in a staggered arrangement against a plain white background.
A stack of easy corkboard placemats featuring a botanical illustration of a lilac branch with green leaves, purple flowers, butterflies, and bordered by a green leafy pattern.
Two terrazzo-patterned, easy corkboard placemats in blue and white tones sit on a table. Nearby are a plate with cookies, a yellow napkin, and two lit candles in small glass holders. Flowers are partially visible at the top.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are These Cork Placemats Waterproof and Easy to Clean?

Yes! Once you cover them with temporary wallpaper and optional clear contact paper, these easy-to-clean placemats become waterproof and wipeable. Just use a damp cloth to clean up spills or messes—no laundering is needed.

What is a Pimpernel Placemat?

Pimpernel corkboard placemats are those pretty, sturdy placemats you often see with decorative prints and a smooth surface. They have a cork backing that helps protect your table and keep the placemat in place. They’re known for being super durable, easy to wipe clean, and perfect for everyday meals or special occasions.

Can I use old pimpernel placemats for this DIY?

Absolutely, I used ones that I bought in a thrift store! Old Pimpernel placemats with cork backing work perfectly for this project. Make sure the surface is clean and smooth before applying your wallpaper or contact paper.

How Durable Are Placemats with Cork Backing?

Cork backing placemats are naturally durable and heat-resistant. When sealed with wallpaper and contact paper, they hold up well to daily use, protect your table, and stay in place without sliding.

Do I Need to Seal Them with Contact Paper?

Contact paper is optional, but it adds an extra layer of durability and makes the placemats even easier to wipe clean. If you’re using these for daily meals, sealing them is a good idea.

A bright, elegant table setting with easy corkboard placemats, white dishes, crystal glasses, candles, a basket of napkins, and a white floral arrangement on a white table in front of a white cabinet.

I had such a blast with this project! I just love when a DIY turns out to be functional, fun, and pretty — it’s the best of all worlds. These easy corkboard placemats check every box and make everyday meals feel a little more special.

I hope you get a chance to make your own! If you do, please drop a comment — I seriously love hearing what you create. And don’t forget to pin or share this with friends who might want to try it too. Crafting is always more fun when we share ideas!

Cheers,

Cursive text elegantly displaying the name "janine" in light gray, reminiscent of chic white fall decor.

Photo Credits: MyPhotography.com

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Flatlay of some lemon decorated placemats on a white table cloth. There are candles votives and a dish of cookies on the table as well. The placemats are homemade an part of an easy corkboard placemats diy project.
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Janine Waite
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Janine Waite
I named my blog Happy Happy Nester because I love everything related to the home. I’ve always enjoyed decorating my surroundings. Get cozy and stay for a bit, thanks for visiting!
Janine Waite
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  1. Josee

    May 05, 2025 at 9:36 am

    Lovely!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you

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