chalkboard ideas

Here are over 40  65 chalkboard project ideas to inspire you to think out of the box.

Today’s Take 2 Tuesday installment is a roundup of everything chalkboard ideas. I love a good repurpose, and making something into a chalkboard is one of my favorite projects. If you love today’s roundup, be sure to check out some other Take 2 Tuesday posts.

Using frames for chalkboard ideas

Picture frames make awesome repurposed chalkboards. If you visit thrift stores, you can get great deals on frames. Why not check your attic or basement to see if yo have frames to turn into chalkboards. Did you know that you can even paint plastic picture frames?

 

Small gold frames into fancy chalkboards

Home Interior Artwork Frame

Faux Mantel Coat Rack

Ornate Frame Repurposed Chalkboard

old picture frames into easel

 

Chippy Chalkboards with Chalk Couture

 

Vintage oval frame made into a chalkboard

 

mix your own chalkboard paint  (above and below)

DIY framed chalkboard (make your own frame)

thrift store artwork

Repurposed household items Mirrors

Do you paint mirrors? Personally, I prefer removing mirrors from thrift store items and replacing them with thin plywood. Dresser mirrors make fabulous chalkboards!

 

plastic dresser mirror

Turquoise Mirror Frame Chalkboard

Plastic dresser mirror

Miscellaneous Household Items

What’s the oddest thing you’ve turned into a chalkboard? Using chalkboard paint is so easy. However, if you use chalkboard spray paint, the ideas are endless.

vintage silverware box

 photo room divider

window

Easel made from a coffee table 

advertiser magnets

globe

clay pot

Repurposed Furniture as Chalkboards

How about repurposed beds and cribs? I love using them for all kinds of projects, particularly chalkboard ideas and coat racks.

twin headboard

Repurposed Crib Rail Menu Board

distressed chalkboard headboard coat rack

desk drawer

Headboard Chalkboard Coat Rack

Paneled Wood Coat Rack Chalkboard

vintage desk drawer

Sandwich Board made from a Crib-Perfect for Shoppe or Bakery

headboard

Chalkboards made from Doors

Have you ever used doors for chalkboards? What about cabinet doors or cupboard doors? Because they already have a routed edge, they make the perfect specimens.

 

paned cupboard door

cupboard door

glazed cabinet door chalkboard magnet board

cupboard door hook rack

armoire door

upcycled cupboard door command center

large chalkboard shelf

Made from a damaged door

cabinet door chalkboard easel

Cabinet Door Chalkboard Easel

chalkboard memo board

cupboard door

Tables and Desks

Maybe you have old side tables in storage? How about adding a couple of chairs? That makes the easiest makeover ever!

old side table

child’s desk from a nightstand

old side table

Kid’s Chalkboard Desk using Repurposed Nightstand

Dining Table as a chalkboard

Make your own chalkboard

If you don’t have something to repurpose into a chalkboard, why not make your own? These chalkboard ideas will have you thinking outside the box to make yourself a new chalkboard.

 

chalkboard vinyl

DIY Chalkboard Speech Bubbles

Easy Tags Made from Scrap Wood

Pet Organizer

Industrial Rivet Chalkboard Knockoff

days until chalkboard

counter top samples

speech bubbles

Valentine Hearts

wooden block-teacher gift

pedestal display chalkboard

Small Rustic Chalkboards

beverage tags

How to decorate chalkboards

So, you’ve made a new chalkboard, now what? Did you know you can use stencils and liquid chalk to decorate your new projects?

 

Chalkboard Stenciling

 

Chalk Couture Chalk Paste is the NEW vinyl

Yes, there is this great project where you can use chalk paste to decorate any chalkboard surface or DIY sign.

Chalkboard Makeovers

You might already have a chalkboard that needs refreshing. Have you been considering throwing it out? I hope these chalkboard ideas make you rethink that.

 

Magnetic Chalkboard Makeover

 

Chalkboard Menu Board

Chalkboard Ideas and Tips

• If you have a large project, I recommend using paint from a can. I use Rustoleum.
• A nice foam brush works best for me.
• Store your foam brush for weeks in a plastic baggie-makes second and third coats go really quick.
• I do three light coats, first coat—side to side, second coat—top to bottom, third coat side to side again.
• A light sanding in between coats will make for nice coverage.
• Allow chalkboard to cure for 2-3 days, then condition your new chalkboard by laying the chalk on it’s side and covering the entire surface with chalk.
• Use a damp cloth to routinely clean your chalkboard surface.
• For small or numerous projects, spray paint is a great option.
• For colored paint, mix your own using one of the recipes below.
• Dampened chalk stick gives a nice crisp look to your writing.

How to make your own chalkboard paint

Recipe 1

• 1 cup of latex paint
• 2 TBS of unsanded grout
• water (after mixing paint and grout, add water to get a regular paint consistency)

Mix well, smashing lumps. Use right away or store in a sealed container, using within a few days.

Recipe 2

• paint
• plaster of paris
• water

This is my favorite way to mix chalk paint and/or chalkboard paint. The plaster of paris is easier to buy and cheaper than the non-sanded grout. I simply make a paste of the plaster of paris and water, then slowly add that to the amount of paint I’ve set aside for a particular project. I find that if you make the paste first, you don’t get a lot of lumps.

Diane from In My Own Style has a great DIY chalk paint comparison in her post Testing 1 2 3 versions of chalk paint. Just leave off the wax step if you plan to use the paint as a chalkboard instead of a chalk painted piece of furniture.

Have fun making some chalkboards!

gail

 

 

See More Great Repurposed & Upcycled Ideas Here