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.
How to turn a desk drawer into a chalkboard
This old desk drawer was dropped off to me by Cousin Terry. She knew it would make the perfect chalkboard for her son's new cabin.
Remove Old Hardware
I started by removing the drawer glides and the handles on the front of the drawer.
While removing the hardware, I was investigating 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 I had the tray removed, 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, but in the end, it won't be noticeable.
*this post contains affiliate links, read more here*
Clean Desk Drawer
Quality control is number one around here, so Lulu Mae had to inspect my project. To clean and degrease the drawer prior to painting, I used TSP Substitute. It's very easy 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 it becoming a chalkboard would mean beefing it up a little with 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 was used to make sure the board was centered on the desk drawer.
Spray Paint Desk Drawer Chalkboard
I decided to make it easy on myself, choosing Chalkboard Spray Paint to turn the drawer into a chalkboard. All in all I did about four light coats. After each coat, to make sure there were no runs, I laid the drawer flat. In addition, I tried to rotate the drawer each time I sprayed it to get 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 was going to 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
In order to attach the pen/pencil tray to the drawer in it's new place, I used Gorilla Wood Glue and a couple of screws.
Don't you think the addition of the little shelf really helps this project stand out?
gail
Hi, there! Iām Gail, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. Iām obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful againāmyself included! I hope youāll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way⦠literally!
Cyndi
You changed it from good to Wow! What is the font you used?
Gail Wilson
Cyndi,
Thanks! I edited the image in picmonkey, using Freehand 591 BT
gail
girlfromwva
awesome job. love the color choices and adding that shelf to the top.