Bamboo Cutting Board Upcycle Ideas: Family Keepsake Recipe Riser
Give a plain bamboo board new life as a heartfelt display piece that doubles as a coaster or riser.
This quick, budget-friendly upcycle turns an ordinary Dollar Tree find into a charming recipe coaster—perfect for holding your morning mug, showcasing condiments, or adding a personal touch to your counter.
By transferring a treasured family recipe onto the board, you’ll create a one-of-a-kind gift or kitchen keepsake that sparks warm memories every time you use it.
Let’s dive in and make something special!
This post was transcribed by a member of the Hometalk editorial team from the original HometalkTV episode.
Tools and Materials:
- 1 bamboo cutting board (Dollar Tree)
- Printer and plain paper
- Scissors
- Fusion Mineral Paint transfer gel (or Mod Podge)
- Water and a soft cloth
- Wooden door pulls (4)
- Fusion Mineral Paint in Coal Black
- Egg carton & screwdriver (for painting setup)
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
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1. Print & Trim Your Recipe
First, choose a treasured recipe, grandma’s chocolate chip cookies or a special family stew printout works great.
Scan it at high resolution, then use your printer settings to enlarge the image so it fills the bamboo board surface edge to edge. The recipe needs to be scanned backwards, so when it’s printed out, the print reads backwards. The writing corrects itself once it’s transferred.
Once printed, lay the paper on the board and use scissors to trim exactly along the board’s shape so you end up with a snug, full‐coverage print.
2. Apply Transfer Gel
Working in a well-ventilated space, load a flat brush with Fusion Mineral Paint transfer gel (or Mod Podge).
Spread a smooth, even coat across the entire face of the board, taking care to reach every corner.
Immediately place the printed side of your trimmed paper onto the wet gel.
Starting from the center, press outward with a brayer or a piece of parchment to squeeze out any trapped air bubbles.
Leave the whole assembly to cure overnight.
3. Reveal the Image
After at least 8–12 hours, gather a dampened soft cloth or sponge and gently moisten the paper surface, avoiding soaking the board.
As the paper fibers soften, lightly rub in small circles with your fingertip; you’ll see the ink stay put while the paper dissolves away.
Continue until all the paper is removed and the recipe appears crisp against the bamboo.
Finally, wipe the board with a clean, damp cloth to remove any leftover gel residue.
4. Paint & Prep Door Pulls
While your board dries fully, prepare the feet. Push each door-pull screw through the holes of an egg carton so the knobs sit upright without touching surfaces.
Stir your Coal Black paint, then brush each pull from top to bottom, coating evenly.
Let them dry in place for at least 30 minutes so the paint sets without drips.
5. Glue as Feet
Once both the board and the pulls are fully dry, flip the bamboo board over.
Heat up your glue gun until it’s flowing freely. Apply a generous dollop of hot glue to each screw end, then press the door pulls firmly into place at the four corners.
Hold each for 10–15 seconds so the bond cools and locks solid.
Flip the board upright and you now have a charming Keepsake Cutting Board ready to support mugs, small planters, or knick-knacks.
More Cutting Board Projects
Bamboo Cutting Board Upcycle Idea to Try Today
I hope you have as much fun as I did making this family keepsake recipe riser. Pop into the comments and tell me which one you tried, or better yet, share a snap of your handiwork.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Placing the recipe print side down into the transfer gel will be seen backwards when revealed?