Our playroom is a disaster, as it should be, right? That being said, I still dream that it can be less of a disaster and I don’t think I’m alone. I have plenty of those dreams that float around in my head, and some of them actually get accomplished! The chalkboard wall was just one of those projects. I was at Aldi one day, just shopping for our weekly groceries, when I went down that aisle. You know the one. The aisle you could probably skip and still get all the items actually on your list, but you go down it anyway and end up doubling your purchases. Yea that one. Well, I went down said aisle and I came upon chalkboard paint, NOT to be confused with chalk paint. Totally. Different. I had to pick it up because one of these dreams of mine was to put a “little” DIY framed chalkboard area on one of our small walls in our playroom. This particular wall is good for nothing else. In fact, it’s an exterior wall of our front coat closet, that juts into the playroom. So all it does is create a nook (I do love me a good nook!). I can’t even put furniture against it or it will block the entrance. What else do you do with a wall like that but put a chalkboard up and let yourself the kids draw on it? So once I purchased the paint, I knew I had to get down to business and complete it, which only took some framing lumber, glue/finishing nails, and time. It didn’t even take that much time. It’s one of those projects you don’t know why you didn’t finished sooner. Surely you have a wall about which you have had those same thoughts (trying to be grammatically correct here). So without further ado, here is how to do your own DIY (framed) chalkboard.
Materials:
Chalkboard Paint (NOT chalk paint)
Paint for frame
Painting Supplies
Framing lumber (I bought 2 pieces @ 8′ ea) OR you could use 1x3s
Finishing Nails
Wood Filler
Wood Glue
Straight Edge
Hammer or Nail Gum
Mitre Saw
Tape Measure
Painters Tape
Level
Instructions:
First, purchase all of your supplies (if you need to). The best part about this project for me was that it cost me less than $20 because I had most of what I needed already. Make sure you are buying chalkboard paint and not chalk paint. I know I’ve said this already, but there is a difference and the worker at the hardware store didn’t seem to know the difference. Hmmm…
Locate a wall where the chalkboard will get the most use. Maybe, like us, you have a weird, random wall that you can’t think of what to do with. Or maybe you have a playroom where the kids would LOVE to have a chalkboard wall to draw on. Maybe you just want it by the fridge, pantry, kitchen so that YOU can make notes on it or draw pretty pictures. Either way, find it and claim it!
Choose the dimensions of your framed chalkboard. Be sure to note if the dimensions will fit the whole wall, or just the chalkboard. This will determine how big you cut your frame. You could do what I did, and cut the lumber, then measure the inside to determine the size of the chalkboard. This is a bit risky as you may cut it too short.
Cut your framing lumber to the dimensions you chose for the frame. Your dimensions of the chalkboard will be the inside of the frame, not the outside. That will help you make the right cut. For example, my actual chalkboard is 19″ x 43 1/4″, but the frame itself is 23 3/4″ x 48″. That’s why I cut the frame first.
Cutting the frame: If you are using framing lumber and a mitre saw, make sure you are cutting the lumber in the right direction. Framing lumber has certain bevels and grooves, and if not cut correctly, will not line up. The inside edge should be the dimension of your chalkboard. Make the cut at 45 degrees, making sure to line up the bevels and grooves. It took me a long time to get this right. I always have to envision the cut first before I make it. An easier option is to use 1x3s and make straight cuts.
Paint your framing lumber. Doing this before you hang it will look much better since you won’t have to cut in where it hits the wall and the chalkboard. Paint it any color you want. Or stain it. The choice is yours!! (Don’t you love when you get to choose?)
Tape off the dimensions you chose for the actual chalkboard on the wall. Be sure to use a straight edge, painters tape, and a level. It’s ok if it is a little bit bigger than your original dimensions because it will end up under the frame, but you do NOT want to make it smaller. Once your frame is up, it will be very difficult to paint the part that’s too small. It’s doable, just difficult.
Paint the wall, following the directions on the can. Mine said to wait 12 hours before recoating. It also said not to use the chalkboard for 3 days to allow the paint to cure. I’ve screwed up too many times not to follow the directions, so I always err on the side of caution (did I use that right?)
Once you are satisfied with the paint, and it’s dry, hang your frame. I used finishing nails with a brad nailer. This was one of the single greatest tools I have ever purchased got as a gift. I use it A. LOT. If you don’t have one, just use hammer and nails. I have done that too. It’s not as fast, but it works just fine. For a more permanent fixture, use wood glue to affix it to the wall.
Fill any holes and gaps with wood filler and let dry. I touched mine up with paint and finished it with a coat of polyurethane.
Viola! Ok, wait three days and then, Viola!
To “season” your chalkboard, rub a piece of chalk on it sideways and then wipe clean with a dry cloth. This will allow the chalk to adhere better to the surface. Also, a friend told me not to use chalk paint pens on this type of chalkboard as it seems to be more difficult to remove. I haven’t tried it, but for now I think I’ll just stick with good old chalk, just in case! Let me know if you have used anything different with success! Maybe one day I’ll let you see the whole playroom. But for now…
Here are other DIY projects you may enjoy for your playroom!