Purchasing outdoor wall mounted notice boards should be simple, but with a multitude of sizes to choose from, it’s hard to know which is right. Choose one that’s too small, and your bulletins might become cluttered or overlap. Go too large, and they end up looking lost and going unseen.
Help is at hand! In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly what to consider, with practical recommendations to help you choose the wall mounted outdoor notice board that’s the right fit for your space.
Important questions to help you decide which noticeboard is the right size for you
How many notices you need to post, how often they’ll be changed and who will be reading them seem like obvious questions. But asking these questions helps you start the decision-making process of which outdoor notice boards are suitable.
Ask yourself:
- How many notices do you need to display on your outdoor notice board?
- Where will your notice board be mounted?
- Who’ll be reading items on your outdoor notice board?
- How often will notices be changed?
Keep reading for a closer look at how these questions can help shape your decision about which outdoor notice board to choose.
How many documents do you want to display on your wall mounted outdoor noticeboard at the same time?
Answering this helps you choose a board with enough display space to keep information organised, readable and easy to update. It’s one single question that can (but not always!) determine the size you need.
Instead of focusing on board dimensions in millimetres, think about how many A4 sheets you need visible at once. For example:
| Number of Documents | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| 1–2 A4 documents | Small notice board |
| 4 A4 documents | Medium notice board |
| 6–9 A4 documents | Large notice board |
| 12+ A4 documents | Extra-large notice board or multiple boards |
Top tip: If your notices change regularly, leave around 20–30% spare space. A full notice board looks cluttered and off-putting.
Where will your wall mounted notice board be installed?
The available wall space and surrounding environment for your outdoor wall mounted noticeboard will influence the size of board that’s both accessible and practical to install.
The available installation wall space is just as important as the display area.
Before ordering, measure:
✔️ The width of the wall where your noticeboard will be installed
✔️ The height available for your noticeboard
✔️ Any nearby doors, windows or pathways that might obstruct your noticeboard
A notice board should feel easy to spot. If people need to stand and read it, leave enough room for them to do so comfortably. And if the size you need doesn’t sit comfortably in the available space, one of these elements might need to be reconsidered.
Related reading: Mistakes to avoid when planning community notice boards is full of top tips to help you avoid choosing the wrong size for the space, and other mistakes when planning your noticeboard.
Who is reading your notices? Why viewing distance matters
A large notice board makes information easier to spot from further away. Small notice boards are great up close. Considering your audience helps ensure the outdoor notice board is the right size to be seen and read comfortably from the expected viewing distance.
As a general guide:
- Close viewing (1-2 metres): Smaller boards work well.
- Medium viewing (2-5 metres): Choose a medium or large board.
- Public spaces or entrances: Extra-large noticeboards are most effective.
Worth knowing: If people walk past your notice board area quickly, a larger display is more eye-catching
Think about future updates on your noticeboard
The frequency of updates on your noticeboard influences how much display space you need. But one of the most common mistakes is buying a notice board that’s only just big enough for today’s needs.
Consider both the current and future display needs of the notice board. If the volume of notices varies throughout the year, the noticeboard is shared by multiple users or departments, or displays seasonal information, choosing a slightly larger size can help ensure it continues to meet your requirements over time.
Top tip: If you expect to display a large volume of information, double door notice boards can provide additional display space and make it easier to access and update.
Choose the right outdoor notice board with Noticeboards Online
Once you’ve decided on the right size outdoor wall mounted notice board, it’s worth considering any features that will make it fit for purpose in the long term. For example, if your display will be installed in a highly public area, lockable outdoor notice boards can help protect important information while keeping it visible to everyone who needs it.
Explore our range of outdoor notice boards to find a size and specification that suits your space, whether you’re buying for a school, business, community organisation or public setting.