Repurposed Coffee Table into a Chalkboard Easel

Today I’m going to show you how to turn a repurposed coffee table into a chalkboard easel. Chalkboard easels are great for weddings, parties, and small shops or bakeries.

I picked this vintage coffee table up at Vendors’ Village from John’s booth. He has been labeling some broken and unwanted items as u-fix-it. This table was $3.99—a whole DOLLAR under my original $5 thrifting limit.

When I brought it home, I really didn’t have a clue what I was going to do with it, but I knew it was no longer going to be a coffee table, so I started dismantling it to make it easier to store in the garage. I kept all the pieces, including the upper and lower shelf as well as the legs.

I put the legs away, and left the two “shelves” hanging out in the garage, basically in my way and having to move them every time I needed to get into my new Gladiator Cabinet. After moving them ONE too many times, I knew I must get them out of the way by doing an EASY project.

Laying them on the driveway, it struck me that I should make a chalkboard out of each of the shelves. Initially I was going to make two chalkboards.

I used my small Ryobi circular saw to cut some thing plywood to use for the chalkboards.

Some of the paint was flaking off, so I sanded it a little so I could paint it. THEN—I decided I really liked the new look.

I used some Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint in my Homeright Finish Max to get a perfect chalkboard finish.

This is the top of the coffee table with the plywood pieces inserted for a dry fit.

This is the more narrow lower shelf of the coffee table. I simply tacked the plywood in place using my Airstrike Nail Gun.

The top of the coffee table would need the plywood laid in the inset portion of the table top. I secured it with Gorilla Wood Glue, then used my staple gun for extra hold.

A small artist brush was handy to touch up the staple holes with more chalkboard paint.

Because I’ve used a lot of piano hinges, I had this small piece leftover from the Kid’s Art Desk. I didn’t need a very large hinge for this small chalkboard easel.

The chalkboard easel folds flat for storage and/or transporting.

I used a small gold chain to connect the back and front chalkboards together.

I really love how it turned out. I’m sure the color isn’t for everyone, but I hope it finds a new home in booth #303 at Vendors’ Village.

Isn’t it amazing how easy a $4 table can be turned into a useful chalkboard easel? The best part? It’s not in my way anymore in the garage!!!

I’ve made a lot of chalkboards, they really are fun and easy to make. See my collection of chalkboard projects including several other easels.

Would you have brought home that broken $4 coffee table, or passed by it?

gail