Prep ahead to get a smooth finish.Ĭhalkboard paint is a bit different from what you’re used to. And if the surface has a texture, scrape or sand before you paint. “Don’t paint over any holes or cracks in the wall make sure you fill them before starting with your base coat,” Lightner says. Traditional paint is quite forgiving: It slides onto just about any surface and can even cover up small blemishes like cracks and nail holes. Not so with chalkboard paint, which is best applied to a flawless, smooth surface. Broaden your color palette.Ĭlaim your home to stay up-to-date of your home‘s value and equity.
If you have an already dark area, like a bathroom with few windows, you can sport black without a problem, but light-filled spaces will feel small and dark if painted black. (We’re big fans of this vintage green seen below.) Go with what feels natural to the room and don’t forget to consider the lighting. Chalkboard paint comes in a variety of colors and gloss levels. Many chalkboard paint designs you see are in black, but if a dark wall (or piece of furniture, décor item, or appliance) won’t look good in black, don’t force it. “Rub the chalk all over the entire surface to get a patina look,” Lightner says. The result will give you a faded look with lines and smears, which are perfectly rustic. Apply a coat of chalkboard paint, let it dry until the paint is sticky, and wipe the coat down with a dry washcloth. “You can also paint on glass, cabinets, clay pots, fences, and other accessories around the house to get that rustic look.” “Use chalk paint on furniture and walls if you are trying to achieve an antique type look,” says Lightner. You’re going to want to write and draw on the paint, and if you have to move the table to do it every time, you’ll wish you’d picked another spot.Ĭhalkboard paint was designed for coloring on, but that isn’t all it can do. Stick to one wall, like the space behind your kitchen table, to make things pop. When you’re looking at painting a large space such as your kitchen, chalkboard paint should be an accent, not the main attraction, says Dan Lightner, co-founder of the building and design firm Concrete Craft. Make sure to heed these do’s and don’ts, from what surface to paint to how long you should wait between coats to which kind of chalk to use once it’s good to go. That said, there’s a method to applying chalkboard paint that homeowners would be wise to follow. Chalkboard paint is a huge trend-and why not? It creates a ready surface where you can jot down your shopping list or notes to family members, as well as a place where your kids (and even you!) can express your artistic urges whenever the mood strikes.