As you run around with your everyday chores and a busy work and home life, it is easy to forget important dates and scheduled appointments. People adopt various methods and systems to remind themselves of dates, appointments and shopping lists. Smart phones mean people carry a calendar with them all the time, but one tried and tested method for keeping track of all these things is with a noticeboard.

Noticeboards are ubiquitous in every office space and for good reason; they are used as a focal point for lots of important information for staff. They can also be seen put to good use in educational establishments such as schools and universities, a place to congregate and find the latest results, flat shares and books for sale. The noticeboard has always been a popular household item too. Often found in the heart of the home, the kitchen, they can help a busy family keep each other updated on their whereabouts and schedules. A permanent shopping list gets continually added to, doctor and dentist appointment reminders are posted on the noticeboard and the kids’ latest achievements and certificates are proudly displayed. New photos regularly get added; the latest holiday, birthday or special event gets pride of place on the noticeboard.

Noticeboards are traditionally made with cork and notices and photos are secured with drawing pins, but increasingly popular are magnetic noticeboards, which offer much more versatility in design. Magnetic noticeboards can feature any design or print you could want. Nature scenes such as forest, countryside or the beach are popular, as are more quirky prints including close ups of fruit, sweets, vegetables, coffee beans and other foodstuffs. Animal prints, camouflage and sports themes are also popular. You can even find noticeboard’s with a built in clock on them so you can see at a glance whether you are running late for your appointment!

Of course magnetic noticeboards have the advantage of keeping any precious photos or important pieces of paper intact. They come in so many different sizes and shapes that it is easy to find one that will fit your wall space. Rectangular and square ones are good for creating a big focal point on a large blank wall, or, if you are pushed for space, a linear board can be used. They also look good in speech bubble shapes and an interesting design is the ‘drip’ linear noticeboard, resembling a brush stroke complete with dripping paint. You can also combine a magnetic noticeboard for attaching paper with a chalkboard coating, so you can use chalk to write on it too.

Quirky magnetic noticeboards also come with complementary magnets to add to the fun aspect of the design, for example a cow print board comes with little udder magnets, a beach scene with real pebble magnets and a close up of grass comes with little flower magnets. Traditional office items don’t have to be boring, so do jazz up a sterile wall with a fun and funky noticeboard. It will certainly help the notices get noticed!