Desk Drawer Chalkboard

What do you get when creativity and a little DIY spirit meet an ordinary desk drawer? This project demonstrates how a plain drawer can be transformed into a functional chalkboard that hangs proudly, adding both utility and charm to any space. Whether you use a leftover piece from a broken desk or pick one up at a thrift store, this idea proves that turning trash into treasure can be a fun and simple weekend project.

How to Turn a Desk Drawer Into a Chalkboard

Cousin Terry dropped this old desk drawer off to me. She knew it would make the perfect chalkboard for her son’s new cabin, The Lodge at Douglas Lake.

Remove Old Hardware

I started by removing the drawer glides and the handles on the front of the drawer.

While removing the hardware, I investigated how to remove the pen/pencil tray from the desk drawer.

Before PRYING the tray, I flipped the drawer over and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was NOT glued but held in place by a couple of screws. Easy Peasy!!

After removing the tray, it was time to remove the locking mechanism. This involved a couple of screws and some prying.

Removing the drawer lock left a good-sized hole, which won’t be noticeable.

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Clean Desk Drawer

Quality control is number one here, so Lulu Mae had to inspect my project. To clean and degrease the drawer before painting, I used the TSP Substitute. It’s effortless to use and conveniently applied with a spray bottle.

After cleaning the tray, I noticed that it was a beautiful piece of oak.

Paint Desk Drawer Chalkboard Black

I prefer several light coats of paint on my projects. I used my new favorite color, Iron Gate, from All In One Paint by Heirloom Traditions.

Change of Plans | Add Top Shelf to Chalkboard

So, after taking a closer look at the desk drawer, I decided that making it a chalkboard would mean adding a top shelf.

I grabbed a piece of scrap wood and cut it to size. I secured it with Gorilla Wood Glue and my nail gun. You could use wood screws or finish nails. The Kreg Jig Multi-Mark Tool ensured the board was centered on the desk drawer.

This isn’t the first desk drawer chalkboard I’ve made, but I LOVE this one a lot more than the first one I made years ago! This oversized middle desk drawer was the perfect specimen to turn into a handy hanging chalkboard.

Spray Paint Desk Drawer Chalkboard

I decided to make it easy on myself by choosing Chalkboard Spray Paint to transform the drawer into a chalkboard. All in all, I did about four light coats. After each coat, I laid the drawer flat to ensure no runs. Additionally, I attempted to rotate the drawer each time I sprayed it to ensure complete coverage.

Testing the Fit and the Look

It may look finished, but at this point, I wanted to see if my plan to leave the tray au natural would look okay. So, I snapped a photo and sent it to Cousin Terry to get the gang’s approval. Do you love the two-toned look as much as I do?

Add Desk Drawer Tray to New Chalkboard

To attach the pen/pencil tray to the drawer in its new place, I used Gorilla Wood Glue and a couple of screws.

Don’t you think adding the little shelf helps this project stand out?

Guests love leaving messages on the Desk Drawer Chalkboard. Every time I visit the cabin, someone has left a message on it.

Now that you’ve seen how easy it is to turn a desk drawer into a chalkboard, why not try one yourself? Look around for an old drawer that’s been set aside, add a coat of paint, and you’ll have a unique piece ready to hang. Small projects like this are a great way to experiment with repurposing and build confidence for bigger DIY makeovers.

gail