Repurposed Cutting Board iPad Stand | Chalkboard | Key Rack

Originally this was going to be a key rack, but soon I realized this repurposed cutting board was multi-purpose! Think chalkboard, iPad stand and more! Let’s see how this cutting board chalkboard came about.

When I found this great deal on a vintage cutting board for about a buck at Vendors’ Village, I knew I would find a great use for it. You can see my loaf pan planter with twisted wire handle here.

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Sand thrift store cutting board

Because someone had the audacity to actually cut something on this wooden cutting board, I needed to take it outside to do some light sanding with my orbital sander.

I also had to sand the sharpie price marks off the side of the board.

It was time to figure out what this cutting board wanted to be. I got these awesome fleur-de-lis cabinet pulls at D. Lawless Hardware. Little did I know how perfect they would be for the alternative use of this great repurposed cutting board chalkboard!

But first, let’s make it double as a chalkboard.

Using painter’s tape, paint the surface with chalkboard paint

I taped off the pattern to resemble a picture held in place with those old photo corners.

Using a foam brush I sort of sealed the edges of the tape painting from the outside in to help prevent bleeding.

After that dried slightly, I applied a full coat of chalkboard paint. Because I’m an impatient diy’er, I used the hair dryer to dry two coats of the chalkboard paint. Do you take those sort of shortcuts? Are you an impatient crafter?

I removed the tape before the third coat dried on the cutting board chalkboard.

It’s a really simple pattern, but I think the photograph corners really makes a difference in the final look.

Prepare to install hooks on the Cutting Board Chalkboard

Using my self centering tape measure I can easily see that the Kreg Cabinet Hardware Jig needs to be centered at 4 3/8. I use quick clamps to hold the jig in place.

It reminds me that I need to use a 3/16” bit to drill the holes.

On the back of the cutting board I placed a very thin piece of scrap wood to prevent tear out when drilling. This is something I’ve known for a long time that works. However, I’ve never put it to the test with such a thin piece of wood. This is actually thinner than a paint stick. So, keep that in mind when you want to drill good clean holes.

How to drill clean holes

I drilled through the drill guides on the cabinet door hardware jig.

This is the back. Notice the tear out on the thin scrap wood, and how clean the holes are on the back of the cutting board chalkboard. Voila!

The fleur-de-lis cabinet pulls were so easy to install.

Could this double as an iPad stand?

This is were I realize “I’m a genius”! Do you remember my easy iPad stand? I used a Scrabble tile holder in order to allow a cookbook, tablet or iPad to rest on the cutting board. As soon as I saw the cabinet pulls attached (which I planned to use as a key rack) Instantly I realized they would perfectly hold a tablet or cookbook!!!!

I intend(ed)  to hang the key rack on the wall, but just in case I ever need another stand for a cookbook or tablet, I commenced to finishing it off similar to the original iPad stand.

I pick up cheap thrift store frames whenever I see a good deal. Several of these were picked up  from Joey’s booth for 50 cents each! Only the easel was needed.

Secure thrift store picture frame easel

You might be inclined to line up the bottom of the easel back with the bottom of the cutting board. However, remember I want to hang this on the wall. If I did line it up that way, the fold out portion of the easel would hang below the cutting board visible to the world. You may notice that I have the resting part of the easel lined up with the bottom right edge of the cutting board chalkboard to keep that from happening.

To make this project very versatile, I added saw tooth hangers so I can hang this on the wall, and I used my staple gun to attach the easel back to the cutting board in case I want to use it on the counter as a chalkboard or tablet stand. NOTE: You could also use a hot glue gun.

This is how it stands up, and the flap will easily lay flat for storage in a drawer or hanging on the wall.

The chalkboard is handy, and there is room above it for customization.

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See how perfectly the fleur-de-lis cabinet pulls hold the tablet! A cookbook on the small side would also rest here.

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It works well as a key rack, but to be honest, I like it a lot better resting on a counter for a tablet or cook book.

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If you ever come across a cutting board, or if you cut one yourself, you really should try the picture frame easel trick—it works so great!

gail