Whether fostering creativity in a child's room or making a practical family message board, chalkboard paint is an easy and inexpensive way to get the job done.

Chalkboards Have Come a Long Way

The first chalkboards were merely small framed squares of slate, a type of sedimentary rock composed of clay or volcanic ash that is fragile and can be easily split into thin sheets. A modernized version of this basic tool is still in use; today’s chalkboards are typically composed of a steel sheet enameled with porcelain.

Chalk boards have been widely replaced by plastic whiteboards, otherwise known as dry erase boards. Still the old-fashioned chalkboard has its charm, and a hand-made one-of-a-kind chalkboard is certainly more of a decorating statement than a plastic whiteboard slapped on the fridge.

What Is Chalkboard Paint?

Chalkboard paint is a dark, easily cleaned water-based paint that will adhere to many surfaces; a versatile substance that allows you to essentially create a chalkboard anywhere! You can find many brand of chalkboard paint, including Crayola, at most home supply, paint, or hardware stores.

General Instructions for Using Chalkboard Paint

1. Smooth surfaces make the best chalkboards, so be sure to sand first if the surface you want to paint is rough.
2. Clean the surface before painting to remove any grit or loose material.
3. Use paint tape to outline the boundary of the chalkboard. Press tape down firmly over entire length to ensure a crisp border.
4. Use primer first, especially if the surface is porous or you are starting with bare wood.
5. Paint chalkboard pain on evenly with a good quality bristle or sponge brush.
6. You may need to apply several coats. It is best to wait 24 hours before recoating. This makes for a long project, but it pays to do it right.

Chalk Board Paint Home Improvement Projects

Fancy Framed Chalkboards

If you have any old framed pictures or mirrors, put them to good use by painting the glass with chalkboard paint. The result will be an entirely unique chalkboard that you can hang anywhere.

Paint a metal sheet placed within your frame and you have a very handy magnetic chalkboard.

You can even use old frames that are empty. Paint a square of chalkboard onto the wall, just slightly larger than the open area within the frame. Then, after the paint dries and the tape is removed, securely mount your frame to the wall.

Cupboard and Pantry Doors

Never have paper handy in the kitchen to write down food items that you are running low on? A simple solution is to paint a cupboard or pantry door. You can paint the entire surface, or if the door has a border, just paint the center section.

Large chalkboard pantry doors are a great place to record useful household reminders as well as providing the kids with a surface to draw on that is nearby when you are working in the kitchen.

Kids' Closet Doors

If you know a young boy who loves cars and trucks (and most do), here is a very simple do-it-yourself idea for transforming a closet door into a chalkboard road, compete with double yellow center lines.

It is simple to turn your son’s boring closet doors into a private drive. See the Suite101 article Boys Room Decorating Ideas for step-by-step instructions and photos to take you from project beginning to end.

Other Home Improvement Ideas

See more Suite 101 articles for ideas on how to weatherproof your house and create a uniquely decorated boy’s room.