DIYers keep coming up with tons of fun chalkboard ideas to spice up their homes. And who can blame them? It’s a remarkable object that can find its use in almost any room you pick.
It gets even better: you don’t actually have to buy a new board for this to work. As you’re about to see, you can achieve plenty with nothing more than a bit of chalkboard paint and everyday household items.
Come take a look!
Chalkboard Sign Ideas
1. Hanging Signs
If you happen to have an old chalkboard lying around, why not repurpose it?
For instance, have it cut into interesting shapes such as this one. Punch two smaller holes for the rope, and you’ve got yourself an adorable hanging sign for your bedroom or living room wall.
The best part is that it has a practical side, too. Use it to jot down reminders, important appointments, lists, or leave a note for your loved ones.
2. Garage Sale Signs
For those who love preparing large garage sales each spring, chalkboard signs can help out a great deal. For one, customers will know where to look for their desired items without having to keep asking you for instructions. And when you’re done, you can just store them away and reuse them next year.
3. Welcome Sign
Here’s another creative way to make your guests feel welcome — use your chalkboard for a beautifully written sign which you’ll display on an easel. This detail will comfortably fit any interior design style or party theme you choose.
4. Signages for Parties
These nifty little things are excellent for festivities with plenty of invitees, especially if you live in a big house. Make as many of these cute signages as you need so your guests won’t have to wander around your home searching for specific rooms.
Chalkboard Wall Ideas
5. Brainstorming Wall in a Home Office
Those of you who work from home know how useful it is to have a designated area to let your imagination run wild, brainstorm, find solutions, or simply let go of your built-up stress. For convenience, we suggest painting the wall by your home office desk.
This is also a fantastic addition to team-building games or holiday parties. For instance, on Halloween, the chalkboard wall can be decorated with decals or drawings of pumpkins, spiders and webs, witches, bats, and similar themes.
6. Motivation Corner
Set aside a special corner for your friends and loved ones to share their most poetic or encouraging thoughts with you. Or, go the other way around and write new motivational quotes or personal messages each time you get visitors. That way your guests will leave your home genuinely inspired.
If for whatever reason you don’t wish to cover the entire wall, just go with a larger chalkboard instead, like the one in the photo; you’ll achieve the same effect.
7. Kitchen Wall
You might think a chalkboard wall doesn’t belong in a stylish kitchen, but you’re wrong. It’s a cool way to make the room look like a modern restaurant and give it a more relaxed vibe. Jot down grocery lists, daily meal plans, favorite recipes… or just random thoughts you don’t want to forget!
Chalkboard Art
8. Eccentric Art
If you want your artwork to shock and awe, choose materials no one would even imagine using or seeing on a chalkboard. Here, the word love is written in barbed wire — quite an unexpected contrast between gentleness and brutality! Guess some people just like it rough.
9. Chalkboard Paint on Canvas
What’s so awesome about this idea is that you don’t even have to add anything over the chalkboard surface for the canvas to draw positive attention. This black and white combination looks especially elegant.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t paint or draw on it. If you’ve painted your chalkboard canvas black, we suggest metallic chalk markers and pens for artwork you’ll proudly hang in your living room.
10. Quotes in Vintage Picture Frames
For this adorable project, you need four things: a small black chalkboard, an old-fashioned frame, chalk pens, and your dearest quote. This creation is a charming way to decorate your bedroom corner. Not to mention it’s a sight you’ll enjoy waking up to every day!
It would also be a memorable gift for a family member or close friend. Of course, in this case, you’d include a quote or a message that will carry sentimental value for them, too.
Practical DIY Ideas
11. Kitchen Chalkboard Infographic
You know that confused stare you give your guests when they issue you a hundred verbal instructions on how they like their coffee? Spare yourself the headache with a genius infographic for your coffee corner!
When you’re having friends over, just ask them to confer with the chalkboard and tell you what they’d like to drink. You can do the same with your home bar for different types of wine, whisky, and other beverages.
12. Impromptu Clock
A chalkboard makes for a super convenient clock base for several reasons. First, it’s easy to drill through and attach a mechanism to it. Secondly, you can alter its design as much as you like since you can erase the previous drawings.
Finally, the base can be shaped whatever way you like: as a circle, triangle, square, hexagon… The list goes on.
13. Chalkboard Clipboard
If you’re looking for chalkboard paint ideas that involve repurposing, you’ll simply love this one!
Instead of disposing of your old clipboards, apply chalkboard paint on them and hang them in your kids’ bedroom, hallway, office… pretty much anywhere you’d find them helpful.
You don’t need to use a drill or nails to keep them up either. Simply place hanging strips on the back and they’ll stick firmly to the wall; the task takes mere minutes to complete.
14. Party Menu
This idea will be especially appealing to people who regularly throw parties. Have a large chalkboard cut up in halves that perfectly fit the shape of the steps. Leave it blank for your guests to write or draw what they like, or turn it into a cool menu. The choice is yours!
Conclusion
Chalkboard decor works for almost any style and space. It’s incredibly interactive, and without a doubt — fun! With these and similar ideas, you’re free to create pieces that will not only be aesthetically pleasing but are highly customizable and practical, too.
FAQ
What can you use on a chalkboard?
The tool of choice mostly depends on how permanent you want the results to be. For removable or erasable traces, consider regular chalk, chalk markers, chalk pens, glass pens, and even paper stickers and snow spray in case you’re feeling festive.
How can I make my chalkboard look better?
To refinish a used chalkboard, all you’ll need is a wet cloth or sponge, fine sandpaper, and chalkboard paint. First, you need to remove all the chalk from it by wiping it with a sponge. Draw the sponge from one side to the opposite and avoid circular motions.
Once you’re done cleaning, let the chalkboard dry completely before you start sanding down any imperfections or rough spots on it. If there are any holes or chipped corners, fix them with all-purpose putty, then sand any protruding bits left after mending.
Finally, you’re ready to apply two or three layers of paint to the chalkboard surface. If there are trims, make sure they’re covered with masking tape before you start painting.
What can I do with old chalkboards?
If you like giving old items another chance, as we do, then there are two things you can do: rejuvenate them or repurpose them. To give your chalkboard a new lease on life, just follow the tips described in the text above.
For those of our readers who wish to repurpose, here are a few creative chalkboard ideas:
- convert it into a clock
- install it in a carved vintage mirror frame
- resize it and turn it into a tabletop for children to draw on
- paint it and cut it up into coasters
- turn the chalkboard into smaller signages or hanging signs
- place it into a wooden frame to make a coffee tray
