Fun with chalkboard paint

Photo credit: Yellow Brick Home

If you’ve spent any time on Pinterest, you’ve likely seen that chalkboard paint projects are incredibly popular. Perhaps that's because they remind us of childhood or they free us to express ourselves in an easily erasable way.

Chalkboard paint: how to make it and use it

Here's how to make chalkboard paint and some fun ideas for how to use it.

Though you can buy chalkboard paint in a wide array of colors, it’s also easy and inexpensive to make at home.

How to make your own chalkboard paint

1. Begin with a flat-finish latex paint in the color of your choice.
2. Pour 2 cups of paint into a clean container and add 4 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout, which you can find at your local home improvement center for as little as $5. Mix thoroughly with a paint stirrer, making sure to work out any clumps.
3. Using a paint roller or sponge paintbrush, apply paint to a primed or painted surface. Working in small sections, go over each spot several times for good coverage. Let dry.
4. Sand your painted surface with 150-grit sandpaper and wipe off the dust.
5. To condition your surface, rub the side of a piece of chalk over the entire painted area and wipe away the residue with a barely damp sponge. (Recipe source)

So now that you have your chalkboard paint, what should you do with it?

Great chalkboard paint projects

Photo credit: our fifth house

I love this dramatic chalkboard wall calendar that covers the entire wall, and I’m tempted to do an entire wall in our home office.  (original pin source) 

No child could resist this huge chalkboard canvas. This chalkboard wall is a great surface for your kids to express their creativity over and over again in an earth-friendly way.  (original pin source) 

Why not convert the backsplash in your kitchen into a handy chalkboard? This would be a perfect spot for making a grocery list or planning menus for the week.  (original pin source) 

If you’ve ever been tempted to throw a wine and cheese pairing party, a great chalkboard table runner like this one is a handy way to clearly label your pairings for your guests.  (original pin source) 

Watch how to decorate with chalkboard paint >>

Before your next party, try using chalkboard paint on the base of your wine glasses as a fun way for guests to keep track of which wine glass is theirs.  (original pin source) 

This fun chalkboard headboard offers the perfect spot to write love notes to your partner or middle-of-the-night reminder notes to yourself.  (original pin source) 

Here are even more ideas for decorating with chalkboard paint >>

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