Cork boards can serve as a palette of expression that anyone can bring to life. Best of all, they are art you can use. Cork boards are often seen decorating the walls of schools, offices and rooms and used to display notes and information. Whether their purpose is for work or just display, cork boards can be decorated with a touch of individuality and flair.

Materials
There are countless things you can use to decorate a cork board. Most people choose photos and other memorabilia, such as ticket stubs, graduation tassels, cards, notes and other knickknacks. You can also find cutouts, individual letters and other premade decorations at local craft stores like Michael's or Hobby Lobby. But don't be afraid to think outside the box too. Cork board doesn't always have to look so "corky." You might want to cover it with fabric and ribbon to give it a more modern feel. If you want, you can even use permanent marker or paint to create your own designs by hand directly onto the cork board.

Application
There are many ways to add media to a cork board. The old-fashioned way would be of course to use thumbtacks or pushpins, but if you look you'll find that there are all kinds of different decorative pins that you can use to liven up your cork board's appearance. If you're looking for a more delicate touch, consider lacing ribbon snugly across the board diagonally and adding a pushpin where the strips of ribbon cross. This can be a pretty alternative to tacking and pinning your décor. You can use almost any type of glue, but use glue only if your cork board display is meant to be permanent. If you want to add photos you can remove or alter later on but don't want to poke holes in or overlap them, try using Scotch tape.

Decorate
Some people create a collage, while others utilize their "white space," or unused space. If you want to use your cork board to display information or keep organized, try to keep the flare at a minimum. Instead, focus on simplicity. Themes are always a nice idea, and you can find sports- or hobby-related décor items at your local craft store. Also, don't limit yourself to the boundaries of the board. Feel free to paint the cork different colors, glue beads to the border and add ribbon. Be bold by letting things hang off the sides. The great thing about cork boards is that they don't require any rhyme or reason. Be as organized or sporadic as you want.