DIY Chalkboard Wall
The chalkboard wall is an easy DIY that the beginner DIYer can tackle with a few tools, but it adds so much character to a space! I completed my entire project in one nap time – which is always a reason to celebrate in our house!
Tools:
Saw (hand saw or miter saw)
Nail Gun (or long finishing nails and a hammer if you don’t have a nail gun!)
Caulk Gun
Measuring Tape
Laser Level (regular level will work fine, but a laser level is very helpful!)
Paintbrush or sponge to apply stain
Paintbrush to apply chalkboard paint
Supplies:
2 pieces of 1-in x 4-in x 8-ft pine (more or less depending on your exact measurements – I am going based off of my measurements)
Wood Stain
Chalk
Chalkboard Paint
Painter’s Tape
Liquid Nails (Not necessary, but if you want the wood to be extra secure or you’re not nailing it into a stud it will be helpful.)
Visual for reference, but you can obviously make the chalkboard any size you want. I’m a visual learner, so drawing projects out always helps me double check my work, especially if the coffee hasn’t kicked in yet! I normally scribble down my design on a scrap paper…you guys get the fancy diagrams!
Choose your chalkboard size and choose if you want the long boards to be the vertical or horizontal board.
I’ve included an example of both for reference and also provided an example with a “farmhouse style” frame where the top and bottom horizontal boards extend beyond the vertical boards by 1.5” on both sides (add an additional 3” to your horizontal measurement).
*Warning if you are new to DIY* – “common” 1-in x 4-in x 8-ft pine is typically an actual size of 0.75-in x 3.5-in x 8-ft, but make sure you measure all of your boards to confirm! Always measure twice and cut once as they say!
Again, I am a visual learner, so if you’re new to DIY and/or not a big math person I have included a basic diagram to help center your chalkboard!
Once you’ve determined your measurements follow the steps below:
Set up your laser level and tape up your chalkboard with painter’s tape (you can tape an area one inch larger than you want your actual chalkboard to be, so your wood boards overlap the chalkboard, or you can do what I describe in step 7 – this is totally personal preference).
Paint inside painter’s tape using your chalkboard paint. I like to paint the entire first coat from top to bottom with vertical strokes.
While your first coat of paint dries, head out to your workspace and cut your boards.
Head in to paint your second coat of chalkboard paint. This time paint left to right or horizontal, so you get a continuous brush stroke side to side.
Remove your painter’s tape.
While your second coat of paint dries, stain your boards. I love to use Old Barn Milk Paint wood stain, because it is all natural and has zero smell. I stained our DIYed wood mantel inside our house with this stain and there wasn’t any odor at all. The stain I used for this project is Weathered.
The pine boards are never perfect and you don’t want to see any of your wall color between the joint of the chalkboard (wall) and the wood boards, so I find it easiest to just take a small paint brush and go around the exterior of your painted chalkboard area with the chalkboard paint. This ensures the wood frame overlaps the black paint a bit. You should still have a visible edge where the painter’s tape was originally to help set your boards (and your laser level…seriously, if you haven’t purchased one by now…go do it! We use this thing during almost every single project).
Once everything is dry it’s time to install your pine boards! (Insert laser level commercial!)
After everything is installed, dried and cured (read the directions on your chalkboard paint – different brands may be different in terms of drying and curing times) you will season the chalkboard.
To season the chalkboard, you take a large piece of chalk and, with the long side down, rub the entire chalkboard area until the entire surface is coated. Repeat that same process with a second coat in the opposite direction.
Wipe off the chalk with a dry cloth or eraser and you’re done!!
Are you new to DIY or just wanting to add some character to your home? Let me know in the comments where you are DIYing your chalkboard wall and how you are using it. While you’re at it, tag my in an Instagram story or photo of your chalkboard! I love to see how you all take this project and make it your own!
There are so many fun ways to use chalkboard walls in our homes and they add so much character!
Thanks for your support and for stopping by!
Happiness is homemade,
Ashley
