Frugal DIY: Making a Homemade Chalkboard
The following is a guest post from Kate at Coupon Cravings.
Re-purposing old items to be used in a new way can be such a fun idea to spruce up an area in your home. In this post we talk about using an old mirror, and some chalkboard paint to give new life to an old piece.
First, you'll want to find the piece that you have tucked away that you're ready to re-purpose. If you don't have one, a great place to look for a piece to paint is a thrift store where you can find one for very little out of pocket.
You can use a coupon or watch for a sale to get some nice chalkboard paint to use. Craft stores frequently release coupons and you're sure to find chalkboard paint there or a home store, such as Home Depot.
What you'll need to make your homemade chalkboard:
- Old thrift store mirror/picture frame with glass
- Chalkboard paint
- Painter's tape
- Small paint roller (like the free Valspar rollers that were available here)
- Small paint brush (for corners and edges)
Once you have found the piece you are going to make in to a chalkboard, tape the inside edges of the frame with painter's tape to avoid getting paint in undesired places. If the mirror or glass comes out of the frame, that is also an option to avoid the frame altogether by removing it and remounting later.
Stir the chalkboard paint and paint the mirror glass with four coats, allowing 20-30 minutes of drying time in between coats. You'll want to get the corners done with a smaller paint brush. Make sure to do your painting away from little hands that could touch your wet paint.
Once your fourth coat of paint is finished, remove the painter's tape (carefully, as not to get it on yourself) and prime your chalkboard by rolling chalk on it's side on top of the chalkboard and erasing it.
To clean your chalkboard, an all-purpose kitchen cleaner with a paper towel will do.
Please note, the paint is permanent, so make sure to not paint anything that you will wish you wouldn't have in the future.
Lastly, enjoy your new frugal homemade chalkboard!
Kate Sorensen of Coupon Cravings has been a devoted frugal shopper and diy gal for years. She enjoys making crafts that use things from around the house, while also using a coupon at retail stores and/or shopping at thrift stores.
PrintFrugal DIY: Making a Homemade Chalkboard
Learn how to make a homemade chalkboard with this simple DIY!
Ingredients
- Old thrift store mirror/picture frame with glass
- Chalkboard paint
- Painter's tape
- Small paint roller (like the free Valspar rollers that were available here)
- Small paint brush (for corners and edges)
Instructions
- Once you have found the piece you are going to make in to a chalkboard, tape the inside edges of the frame with painter's tape to avoid getting paint in undesired places. If the mirror or glass comes out of the frame, that is also an option to avoid the frame altogether by removing it and remounting later.
- Stir the chalkboard paint and paint the mirror glass with four coats, allowing 20-30 minutes of drying time in between coats. You'll want to get the corners done with a smaller paint brush. Make sure to do your painting away from little hands that could touch your wet paint.
- Once your fourth coat of paint is finished, remove the painter's tape (carefully, as not to get it on yourself) and prime your chalkboard by rolling chalk on it's side on top of the chalkboard and erasing it.
- To clean your chalkboard, an all-purpose kitchen cleaner with a paper towel will do.
