How to Paint a Chalkboard Wall
Unleash your inner artist (or let your little ones stretch their creative muscles) with a DIY chalkboard accent wall. This is an easy, low-cost project to add a fun doodle wall to kids' bedrooms and playrooms or a functional brainstorming wall in your office. The best part is that you'll have this useful guide from Sherwin-Williams to help along the way! Keep reading for details on how to make a chalkboard wall from start to finish, including steps to follow, valuable tips and other chalkboard wall ideas.
What is Chalkboard Paint?
Chalkboard paint is a smooth, slate-like finish that, when fully dry, can withstand chalk. Painting a chalkboard accent wall allows you to have an authentic blackboard in your room, which your kids will love drawing on and you'll love using for daily tasks. The best part is that chalkboard paint for walls goes on like regular paint using a brush and roller so that you can complete this project in no time!
Upsides of Painting a Wall with Chalkboard Paint
Completing a DIY chalkboard wall will give a unique design element to the room, like a traditional accent wall. However, there are even more benefits to making a blackboard wall, whether it's in a kid's room or a part of your working space. Here are some chalkboard wall ideas for different spaces:
Kid's Rooms & Playrooms:
- Artistic expression with doodles
- Educational tool for lessons and diagrams
- Interactive play with friends, like tic-tac-toe
- Chore lists and other reminders
- Storytelling and imaginative drawings
Offices & Workspaces:
- Brainstorming and collaborating with coworkers on projects
- To-do lists and reminders for the workday
- Motivational quotes and visualizing goals
- Presentations and on-the-fly diagrams
STEP 1
Prepare the Room for Painting
Preparing the room and working area for painting will make clean-up much quicker. Start by placing a drop cloth near the wall you plan to coat with chalkboard paint to catch any drips or spills. Then, place painter's tape over outlets and trim to protect these areas from paint.
STEP 2
Cut in the Accent Wall
The next step is cutting in the accent wall with chalkboard paint. Use a Purdy® Clearcut® Glide brush to apply paint around the edges of the wall near the ceiling and trim. Creating this initial border will make painting the rest of the wall with a roller much simpler and cleaner.
STEP 3
Roll on Chalkboard Wall Paint
Use a Purdy® White Dove™ roller cover to apply chalkboard paint to the remaining wall surface. Apply two coats with light pressure and keep the roller wet with paint to ensure a smooth finish.
STEP 4
Let Dry & Get Creative
Let the chalkboard paint for walls dry for at least 24 hours; then, it's time to get creative! Once thoroughly dried, break out the school-grade chalk and start doodling or lining out your agenda for the next workday.
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
Project Supplies
Paint
Brushes, Rollers & Frames
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