How to Create a Custom Chalkboard

Creating a painted chalkboard is a fun and stylish way to bring some much needed organization into a busy kitchen or home office space. The best part is that it’s so easy to do, requiring very little time and no real artistic ability. Learn how to create a custom chalkboard in this video bhy Ace Hardware:

All that’s needed for this DIY project is an old picture frame and some leftover paint or a pint sample of your favorite color.

1. Before you start, be sure to cover your floor or any furnishings near where you’ll be painting with a drop cloth to protect these areas from unwanted drips or spills. It’s also very important to make sure the wall surface you’ll be painting is clean and free of any dust, dirt or grease. Wash the wall with a mild detergent and water and allow it to dry completely.

2. Figure out the exact position where the picture frame should go. A good rule of thumb is placing it so the center of the chalkboard will be at eye level. Trace the inside edges of the frame directly onto the wall with a pencil. Use a level to make sure your lines are level and strainght.

3. For best results, use a dark color like black in an interior flat enamel sheen. Using a brush, paint the outside edges first. Try to slightly overlap the paint over the pencil lines by about an inch, depending on the thickness of the frame you’re using. You don’t have to worry about making the lines perfectly straight as the edges will be covered by the picture frame. Use a roller to fill in the remaining space. Allow the paint to dry completely, then apply a second coat if needed.

4. If your frame looks great as is, you don’t need to paint it; however, painting the frame in a color pulled from your room’s palette, like a fabric color from the drapery, pillows or rug or from a favorite piece of art work or furniture, is a great way to unify the chalkboard with the rest of the room’s decor. Before painting, clean the frame with a mild detergent and water, and then let it dry thoroughly. An interior satin or semi-gloss finish gives the frame a soft lovely sheen. For something bolder or more vibrant, try a higher gloss. Apply a second coat of paint if necessary, then allow the frame to dry completely.

5. Hang the frame over the painted chalkboard area so that it conceals the edges, and you’re done!

You now have a practical way to organize your to-do’s as well as a fun design element for your room.