Large chalkboard for just $25? Yes, please.
That’s what we just added to our kitchen.
I used a frame from Ikea {this one} and rather than having a piece of wood cut for the chalkboard, I simply used the flat side of the backer board. So easy.
1. use the flat side of the board. remove the sticker.
2. make sure the residue is removed from the back.
3. brush on a coat of chalkboard paint. let dry. brush on a coat or two more until covered.
4. season your chalkboard. Here’s why.
Pop it into your frame {I layered the plexiglass, mat and paper too, just to keep the pieces all together} and add the wire to hang. Plain wire would have been fine, but I wrapped mine with jute rope and secured with hot glue. It just makes it a little more special.
It’s the perfect spot to doodle, jot done notes and practice my fake calligraphy.
I too, saw the need for a chalkboard years ago when chalk paint first came out.
I found a door panel from IKEA in the clearance section for $5 and painted the inset with chalk paint. I use a cup-type handle to hold the chalk at a good height for my grandchildren to be able to doodle at their leisure on the lower area, leaving the upper area to make notes and lists, etc. It’s been a great information source and a fun way to post an encouraging word to my loved ones for years!
Love, love your blog… thanks for all you share!
Hi Emily, I love this article, I was looking to buy a big large chalkboard and came across your article! I’m so happy I found it. I didn’t know you could buy chalkboard paint. I wanted to have something a bit bigger than the frame you recommended from IKEA (27 ½x39 ¼”). Do you think that by simply going to Home Depot and grabbing a large wooden board that it would work as well? Thanks a lot for the idea!
I think that will work perfectly! Good luck
Chalkboard marker removal success! Just as I was headed for the paint can to recover the stubborn chalkboard marker, I reached for the can of Scrubbing Bubbles (you’re welcome, Johnson & Johnson) and lo & behold, one application and a little elbow grease took it off. I will; however, be using the fabric pencil from now on. Thanks for that suggestion!
PS – I did re-season before I began again.
great tip!
I love this. I want to do the top of a kids table which is painted. Strip the paint and continue or what? Thanks
You really don’t even have to strip the paint. Just sand it down a little to make a smooth surface and then paint with chalkboard paint.
I have a white Ikea frame and chalkboard paint in hand as we speak! This was the break through idea needed to complete my small kitchen “command center”. Thank you!
Do you use chalk ink to write on your board? It looks lovely but I’m hearing it won’t work for me unless my surface is very solid (ie. not my wall painted with chalk paint).thanks! I LOVE all your posts. Thanks for sharing your life with us!
Such a fun addition to your already fabulous kitchen! I love the idea of wrapping the wire with jute rope. It gives it so much character and is so much nicer to look at than the plain wire hanger.
super amazing!
{love this} am pinning to my pinterest board as a future DIY project!
another great idea emily! thanks so much for the inspiration! have you ever done a post on your family’s schedule for the day? as a mother of four myself, i often have days where i feel like i have no chance at all to be creative…some better than others. i would love to see an example of yours and others’ schedules, how to be efficient/creative at the same time! ;)
Just started following your darling blog. Do you think you could just paint the plexi glass with chalkboard paint and it would still work as well?
Love it! What a great idea…and the rope is perfect! Thanks for letting us know about “seasoning” the chalk board. I never knew! Have a great day!
I love this! I’m gonna make one for my dinning room/ school room. What are the dimensions on your board?
Fun chalkboard! Will you notice if I come and hang out in that corner? I love the bench and table. I promise to be quiet and not drool too much!
Love your board Emily! I have a large, $10 garage sale frame sitting in my office as I type this…waiting to become a beautiful new chalkboard. I just need to find the right type of material to use for the board…going to Lowe’s later this week to search. Wish me luck!
Darling! on a totally unrelated note-where did you get the beverage fridge that I can see the corner of in the last pic?
Love it- it looks great, while being an easy project!
I created a couple of chalkboards for our home by just spraying some cheap big canvases with chalkboard paint. Now we play doodle on them, write holiday messages, etc. So fun. And you’re right, so necessary to cure them first. We made the mistake of playing pictionary on one with a rowdy friend who drew quite the suggestive figure… took me awhile to get that “erased.” :)
…cute post! I have been DIY’ing chalkboards for my upcoming wedding. I have actually been buying the frames at Goodwill, and then spraying the actual glass with chalkboard paint. It has worked out fine – but I totally agree with needing to season them. :)
Thanks for this tutorial and for the advice on seasoning it,,,who knew?!? Thanks also for the frequency of your posts! I follow a handful of other blogs as well, and yours is one I can always count on for “regular” inspiration! Love it! :)
Nicole B.
Looks Great!!! I never knew that you had to season chalkboard. Maybe that’s why mine wasn’t erasing… ha Thanks for the great tips and the beautiful styling!
What a big win! Love it! And the extra detailing….always your trademark…with the covered wire. Great job Emily!
I am a huge diy chalkboard fan! I absolutely love your wrap-the-wire-in-twine idea!!! Thanks for sharing!
love this! wrapping the wire did make it special. great tutorial.
Beautiful & simple…and THANK YOU for the tip on seasoning your chalkboard!! I have repainted the beautiful chalkboard my husband built me for our living room, and my daughter’s easel numerous times to get rid of “the ghost.” I feel so relieved now!
It looks fantastic! I love your simple, natural way of prettying up your home. You have such a distinct Emily style. It always inspires me.
I just made one of these too! I used a thrifted, chunky frame and had Home Depot cut the same kind of backer board for me. And I thought I was original! :) I love how you wrapped the wire…genius!
How very smart! And I love that you wrapped the rope – makes such a difference in its appearance. (I am also loving your cool watermark on your photos…very pretty.)