Chalkboard paint is a beautiful way to turn any surface in your home into a creative space. It can be used to transform anything – from walls and doors to furniture and other objects – into a functioning chalkboard.
But does chalkboard paint come in colors? When most people think of a chalkboard, our childhood school rooms’ black or dark green boards usually come to mind. Your creativity is not limited to tradition with chalkboard paint as it is available in thousands of color choices.
While black or dark gray is the most commonly available option, chalkboard paint is now available in a wide variety of colors. Paint supplier Benjamin Moore alone sells over 3,500 colors as a chalkboard option, but many companies sell different colors and even blackboard spray paint. You can also make your chalkboard paint in any color of the rainbow. Chalkboard paint is an incredibly versatile medium that can be used to make a bold or playful statement.
Helpful for communication, organization, or just creating a dynamic, collaborative art project, chalkboard paint is an easy way to personalize your space. With a little bit of prep work, you can turn anything into a blank slate for all of your chalk artwork.
What colors are available in chalk paint, and how do I use them?
Chalkboard paint is available in the standard slate gray and green and a whole rainbow of other color options. You can find many tints and shades for sale on Amazon, where popular options include magenta, purple, and yellow in addition to the more traditional gray and black. While Benjamin Moore may have the most choices at over 3,500 options (any of its colors is available in a chalkboard option), plenty of companies offer great shades as well. You can even buy a can of chalkboard spray paint.
Prepping your surface
Whether you’re transforming a wall, a piece of furniture, or another surface into a chalkboard canvas, it’s best to start with a smooth, clean surface. If your object isn’t completely smooth, sand it down until it feels even. If painting only a portion of your wall, you may want to tape or trace your shape out first to keep a clean and consistent look. Use a damp cloth to wipe away any dust and clean your surface before applying a primer, followed by the chalkboard paint. An uneven surface will result in bumpy chalk art, but a smooth and even surface will provide a lovely canvas that is easier for you to write and draw on and clean.
Painting your surface
Use a foam roller or broad brush to apply thin and even coats of paint. You will need to apply at least two coats to get a smooth enough chalkboard surface, but depending on the look you’re going for, you can apply up to four coats of paint. After all, coats are applied, and you have a nice smooth surface, your chalkboard paint will need to dry for at least three days. After it’s thoroughly dry, set the paint by rubbing the entire surface with chalk (this will go much faster if you use the long edge of the chalk-like a paint roller, rather than using the tip to write like a pencil) and erase with a dry towel or eraser; this process, known as a seasoning or conditioning the chalkboard, helps you to be able to erase chalk later fully. Once erased, you’re ready to draw away!
Make it magnetic!
If you want to take your custom chalkboard to the next level, you can use a magnetic primer. This unique primer has tiny particles of iron dust mixed in, which allows you to magnetize almost any surface. As it is a primer, you apply it to your surface before the paint and add at least three coats to get a strong enough magnetic surface (be sure to wear a mask while priming, on account of the iron dust). Magnetic primer comes in black or gray only, so be advised that it works best with darker chalkboard paint colors. Yet if you want to add an extra layer of creativity with magnets, photos, and more accessories, magnetic primer can add a fun
dimension.
Don’t be afraid to commit
The great thing about a chalkboard piece is that you can change up the look whenever you want. But if an entire accent wall sounds too intimidating, you can buy peel-and-stick wallpaper that will peel off when you’re done with it. Like contact paper, this is a great way to add a chalkboard surface to the inside of cabinets or the back of a door. The peel-and-stick route has the bonus of being ready to write; unlike paint, there is no dry time before you can start chalking.
How Can I Decorate Using Chalkboard Paint?
One of the best things about chalkboard paint is the creativity it unleashes. While your finished product will encourage doodling and drawing, you can also get creative about what you turn into a chalkboard. With so many color choices available, you can let your imagination run wild. In addition to accent walls and doors, some popular options include potters for plants, labels for storage bins, and even entire tabletops. Chalkboard paint is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to your decor.
Kids’ Rooms
There are tons of great ways to use chalkboard paint in your home or workplace. It’s a great way to transform a child’s playroom or learning space, allowing you to use a wall as a blackboard or create a more traditional one in your kid’s favorite color or shape. Using the paint to make personalized, custom writing tools is a great way to help make learning at home seem more fun and familiar. But you can also use this paint to teach kids organization. For instance, you can paint the outside of their drawers with outstanding paint, and then they can use chalk to label the contents.
Adult Spaces
This unique paint isn’t just for children’s spaces, though – there are plenty of grown-up uses for chalk paint that are both fun and practical. Use it in the kitchen to display your daily or weekly menu or keep a running grocery list. You can also use it to keep the family more organized by making a beautiful calendar or schedule template; everyone can get in on the fun by illustrating different dates with chalk doodles. A community chalkboard is a beneficial way to write notes back and forth to each other and can be hugely helpful for roommates on the run.
While chalkboard paint offers many helpful organizational solutions, you shouldn’t feel bound to practical ideas; you can create a chalkboard wall in your home for purely artistic reasons. If you live in a garden-style apartment with limited window options, you can make your outdoor landscape changes with the seasons using chalkboard paint and chalk. It’s good to have a space in the home purely for making art, but chalkboards also make elegant decorations or signage for parties and holidays.
Interested in how to get started when your chalkboard dries? Check out our article here!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of chalk should I use on my chalkboard paint?
You’re not limited to white chalk – you can use colored chalk to create your artwork or throw in some sidewalk chalk to play with different widths. Crayola chalk, in particular, produces vivid colors. Properly seasoning your chalkboard with white chalk first will help your colors pop and stand out on your slate.
How do I clean chalkboard paint?
It can be hard to remove all the chalk residue from your board, as even a damp cloth can leave some strong chalk lines. If you’re trying to get your surface as clean as possible, start with a chalk eraser and erase as much as you can. Mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz the mixture on your board. Use a gentle sponge to brush away any stubborn lines softly and wipe away the excess with a rag. Some people also swear by Coca-Cola and insist it leaves their chalkboard wall looking brand new without leaving a sticky residue.
Properly seasoning or conditioning your chalkboard wall by covering it with chalk before erasing it will also help prevent this problem; the process makes it easier to erase your work in the future by filling any existing pores with a light coating of chalk.
Can I use chalkboard paint with chalk markers?
No! Chalk markers are meant to be used on non-porous surfaces, so unless the surface was specially treated, they could stain your walls or furniture. It’s best to use this type of paint with traditional sticks of chalk. If you’re married to the medium and want to find a way to incorporate them into your decor, you can always hang a marker-safe chalkboard on your wall. This style of marker works best with a board made of non-porous porcelain enamel.
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