Going Old School: Chalkboard Paint

Chalkboard paint is a fun and decorative way to add style, organization and function in to a home. There are many different ways that it can be used throughout the home on walls, furniture and for craft projects.

Generally it is purchased in the traditional black or green colors but it can be mixed with latex paint and unsanded tile grout for some projects that would benefit from some color. Chalkboard paint is sold in spray cans that are very easy to use on smaller projects or in regular paint cans.

Chalkboard Ideas for the Walls

Chalkboard paint can be used on any wall in the home to instantly turn it in to a message center or just a fun place for kids to draw and express themselves. For homes with children the area can be used for schooling and for play while the rest of the family can use it for communicating, appointment reminders and shopping lists.

For those not wanting to dedicate an entire wall to the use of a chalkboard, consider using a smaller area such as the back of a door. For an even smaller space, use paint tape to section off an area of the size you want and paint within it. A rectangular area placed on a wall in a central room such as the kitchen makes a great message board or draw some vertical and horizontal lines creating boxes across the area and you have yourself a calender to mark important dates and reminders.

Using Chalkboard Paint on Furniture

Many pieces of furniture in the home can be decorated using chalkboard paint. A play table in a child’s room can have the top painted and used as both a chalkboard and a table. The fronts of storage bins or drawers in a child’s room or even in a garage or pantry can be painted and marked with the contents to improve organization in the home.

Fronts of kitchen cupboards can be turned in to a decorative and fun accent with chalkboard paint. Toy boxes or toy organization boxes can be painted and labeled for children to organize and find their toys easier.

Chalkboard Paint on Accessories in the Home

There are many home accessories that can use chalkboard paint to add whimsy and character throughout the home:

• Try chalkboard paint on items like coasters or napkin rings for parties or on any items that can used for seating assignments.
• Items in the kitchen such as canisters, glass or spice jars can be painted and labeled with the contents and then changed when needed.
• Serving trays or vases with chalkboard paint also make nice accessories.
• Paint old pictures or mirrors that are no longer in use to create a cheap chalkboard to hang in the home.

Purchase several small pieces or canvas and paint them with the chalkboard paint and then decorate them and hang them as artwork in a hallway. Every couple of weeks take the pieces down, wipe them off, add some new artwork and rehang!