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In this post: Learn how to create a full scale chalkboard wall in three easy steps!
If you follow us on Facebook, you may have noticed that we painted a chalkboard wall in our dining room. I originally thought I wanted to put the chalkboard wall in the kitchen. But after living with it in the dining room for several weeks it is SO PERFECT here. I have to say it was a fabulous decision and the kids are LOVING it! I use it to write homeschool assignments on (page numbers, etc) and to show examples (like parallel and perpendicular and why the fish is the sign of being a Christian) and the kids draw ALL OVER IT with their friends.
It was a bit of a time consuming project (not really in actual work, just in the waiting), with multiple coats and dry time, but it was really simple and totally worth the wait.
3 Easy Steps to a Chalkboard Wall
Supplies
Instructions
1. Paint wall with Chalkboard Paint. It’s fairly thin stuff, so I had to paint three coats for good coverage over the old mustard colored wall. Let cure for a few days. Follow the package directions. Don’t skip this step, or you won’t have a good hard surface.
2. Cover ENTIRE wall with chalk. This is called seasoning the board. Just rub the whole surface with the side of a piece of chalk. We went through more than a few pieces for this step, which is why we bought a classroom size box of dustless chalk.
3. Using a cloth or a chalkboard brush, wipe down the chalkboard wall. Now it’s ready to use!
And trust me it will get used!
What about the chalk dust?
Some of you have asked about the chalk dust. Dustless chalk definitely makes it better. But there is still dust, it just seems to drop to the floor instead of floating around all over the house. I do wipe the floor and baseboard along the base of the chalkboard wall a couple of times a week. Not really a big deal, which will be even less of a big deal when we replace the ugly wood baseboards with crisp white ones.
Update: We lived in this house with the chalkboard wall for 4 years and loved it! 🙂 Just in case you were wondering!
Have you ever painted a chalkboard wall in your house? Would you?
xo,
Shannon
