Having a blank wall in your kitchen leaves you with so many options. You can:
- Add additional shelves
- Create a family picture collage
- Hang a cork board, mail sorter, and key rack for a makeshift command center
You’re options are endless. For me, I wanted something with that was practical, large enough to fill up the entire wall, and magnetic since I’m not a fan of cluttering up the front of my fridge.
My solution was to create a large magnetic chalk board wall. I love the idea of my daughter being able to draw and color on the chalkboard and playing with magnetic letters one day while I’m working in the kitchen. In the meantime, it serves as a blank canvas for my incredibly talented friend/neighbor to practice and showcase her beautiful lettering. It’s a small sacrifice I make to offer up my space for her craft. 😉
Check out her work at Keaton Lettering Co. also here and here.
Links are affiliated for your shopping convenience.
Supplies:
Foam Roller (2)
4 pieces – 1.5″ x 1/4″ Lattice Strips
Prep Your Surface
First, you’ll want to prep your surface by filling in any holes with drywall putty, sand uneven surfaces, and wipe down your wall with a gentle cleaning agent.
Once your wall is clean and dry, tape off your chalkboard area. I wanted mine to cover the majority of the wall, so I made it 3′ x 5-3/4′.
Apply Primer
This is the step that never ends. Magnetic primer only works properly if you apply 5+ coats. Roll it on with a foam roller in thin, even coats. Make sure the primer is dry before applying a new coat. You’ll want to test it after each coat to make sure your magnets are sticking. I just ended up using the entire quart, which was 7 coats! This stuff is not cheap (per quart) either, so make sure you get your money’s worth and keep testing it before apply your chalk paint.
Chalk Board Finish
Once your magnetic primer is dry and in working order, apply a couple coats of chalkboard paint with a new, clean foam roller. Allow paint to dry between coats.
Creating the Frame
I used 1.5″ x 1/4″ lattice strips because I just wanted a simple frame that didn’t take away from the doorway trim or the chalkboard. Feel free to use your favorite trim piece and customize it in a way that suites you. I measured and cut each piece at a 45 degree angle using our miter saw. You can also use straight cuts as well, but if you’re using a 45 degree cut, measure each piece at the longest point.
Stain or paint each piece before attaching it to the wall. You can always touch it up once it’s attached, but it’s much easier to prepare the wood first.
Using a level, tack each piece of lattice on the wall with 1-1/4″ finishing nails.
Prepping Your Chalkboard
Before you get too excited about a finished chalkboard, you ABSOLUTELY need to prep it first. Use the side of a piece of chalk and rub it on the chalkboard. Once you’ve covered the entire surface, clean it off with a damp sponge. If you skip this step, the first thing written on the board will be there permanently, so take the time to prep it first.
It doesn’t matter what color chalk you use. I went through several pieces to cover this large surface.
Now you can enjoy it!
I love changing my board for each season, and I’ve also used it for random pregnancy updates as well. I’ve definitely not been good about documenting this whole process even though I had great intentions on taking weekly bump shots. I’ve been good to get one a month, but solo shots are awkward (or is it just me?).
As I mentioned above, I’m most looking forward to our daughter and future children using it as a creative space. I’d also like to utilize the upper space for grocery and to-do lists or jotting down coming family events. There are so many ways you can use your chalkboard including using it as a piece of art. I’m a sucker for practical design!
Do you have a chalkboard wall in your home? I’d love to see how your project turned out! Make sure to tag me @dahliasanddimes on Facebook and Instagram.
21 Comments
Jessica
March 27, 2017 at 8:25 amI have always wanted to do this, but I haven’t quite found the perfect space for it. This is a great tutorial! I will pin it for later!
cara
March 27, 2017 at 1:09 pmI love this oh so much! I love the flowers you decorated it with too, so pretty! Question- do you have a tip for removing chalk markers? I have a chalkboard in my kitchen and I haven’t been able to figure out how to fully remove the old paint. Thanks!
Diana
March 27, 2017 at 3:43 pmUnfortunately, chalk markers are permanent. The best thing to do might be to paint over it with a couple coats of chalkboard paint. Best of luck!
Shani | Sunshine & Munchkins
March 27, 2017 at 9:45 pmThis is pretty amazing! That is a great space for a chalk board. I had no idea that there was such a thing called magnetic primer though. Pretty neat. We have a 16×20 chalk board in our home and I’ve had fun practicing my handlettering on it. I’ve been using chalk markers since they are a little cleaner and they come off really well!
Diana
March 28, 2017 at 10:53 amWhich chalk markers do you use? I’ve only heard of the permanent ones.
Jewels
March 27, 2017 at 11:34 pmThis is such a creative idea! I wish my handwriting was as pretty as yours! I’m adding this to my list of things to do in my future home.
Diana
March 28, 2017 at 10:49 amI wish my handwriting was that pretty as well! My neighbor owns a lettering shop, so she writes on my board as practice. 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/keatonletteringco/
Alex Snider
March 28, 2017 at 7:39 pmThis is awesome! We are going to be adding a pantry soon and this would be perfect to do to the doors!
Diana
March 28, 2017 at 8:30 pmThat’s a great idea to do this to the doors! It’ll look great.
Ann
March 28, 2017 at 11:24 pmLove this! I have wanted to do this in our kitchen for a while now! Pinning for later! 🙂
Colette @ restyle it wright
March 30, 2017 at 9:53 pmGreat use of the space! So many amazing paint lines out there to use to achieve these looks! So fun!
Jumana
November 16, 2018 at 10:03 pmHello, do you think this would work on wood? I would like to do it on the side of my floor to ceiling pantry.
biden 46 hat
November 11, 2020 at 4:42 amPlease let me know if you’re looking for a article writer for your blog.
You have some really good articles and I feel I would be a good asset.
If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d absolutely love
to write some content for your blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
Please send me an email if interested. Thank you!
My web site; biden 46 hat
biden we just did 46 hat
November 11, 2020 at 8:21 amThere’s certainly a great deal to know about this topic.
I like all the points you made.
Here is my web page; biden we just did 46 hat
joe biden we just did hat
November 12, 2020 at 8:21 pmHurrah! After all I got a webpage from where I be capable of in fact obtain valuable facts concerning my study and knowledge.
Look into my blog … joe biden we just did hat
we just did 46 hat
November 13, 2020 at 12:18 amWhat’s up it’s me, I am also visiting this web page regularly,
this web site is in fact fastidious and the viewers are truly sharing good thoughts.
Here is my website we just did 46 hat
Michaela
November 25, 2020 at 1:08 amHi, check out the collection of useful information we have prepared for you. I am sure you will find here something that will interest you! You're welcome 🙂 Michaela
her Latest Blog
December 26, 2020 at 12:56 pmI enjoy this site – its so usefull and helpfull. http://bookmarkswing.com/story8572709/a-review-of-weight-loss
link
January 13, 2021 at 1:28 amQuality posts is the important to interest the viewers to pay a
quick visit the web page, that’s what this website is providing.
Adrienne
January 15, 2021 at 3:23 pmWhen someone writes an article he/she keeps the image
of a user in his/her mind that how a user can know it.
Thus that’s why this paragraph is outstdanding. Thanks!
Tegan
January 16, 2021 at 6:53 pmHave you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles?
I mean, what you say is important and everything.
However think about if you added some great
visuals or videos to give your posts more, “pop”! Your
content is excellent but with images and videos, this site could certainly
be one of the very best in its niche. Wonderful blog!