Learn how to make your own large hanging chalkboard with Kristi! Make one for yourself in just a few hours and enjoy through the seasons!
Our friend Kristi is here to share her tutorial for how to make your own large hanging chalkboard!
Hi everyone! I’m Kristi from Making it in the Mountains here to share this large DIY chalkboard tutorial! Most of the tutorials I came across for DIY chalkboards were mounted directly to the wall or, if they did hang like a picture, they were much smaller than I had been hoping for. So, we actually designed ours to be the best of both worlds…
Large DIY Chalkboard
Here’s how to create your own DIY chalkboard.
Supplies
- MDF or hardboard (48″ x 60″ or so)
- primer
- chalkboard paint
- 1″ x 3″ x 48″ qty 4, mitered corner
- 1″x 3″ x 60″ qty 4 mitered corner
- Minwax Provincial Stain
- two paint brushes
- lint free cloths
- finishing nails
- two d-ring hangers
- picture hanging hardware
Instructions
1. Cut an inexpensive sheet of mdf or hardboard to the desired size (ours measured 4’x5′).
2. Then paint it out with one coat of primer and at least two coats of chalkboard paint (I did three for good measure). Be sure to let it cure for the required amount of time (as listed on the package).
3. Build a frame around the back. If you want your chalkboard to be able to hang on the wall like a picture, you’ll need to build out a frame for the back, which gives the thin wood of the chalkboard some support to stand straight and also provides a strong area to attach the hanger(s) to. If you don’t want to “hang” your chalkboard and are comfortable just nailing the whole thing straight to the wall, then you can skip this step. We used some pieces of 1×3, cut to length with metered corners and attached them all to the back of our chalkboard with some finishing nails, creating a frame around the outside edge.
4. Build a frame around the front of your chalkboard. Exactly as you did with the back, construct a frame for the front of your chalkboard, except don’t actually nail on the pieces yet, as they’ll be easier to stain before they’re attached.
5. Stain the frames. Paint on, then wipe off your desired wood stain your frame pieces, don’t forget to stain the outer edges of the back framing attached to your chalkboard as well. I went with Minwax’s Provincial stain and wiped it off almost immediately to keep the colour a bit lighter.
6. Attach the frame pieces to the front of your chalkboard. Using some finishing nails, fasten each piece of trim to the front of your chalkboard, taking care to match the edges to one another and to the edge of your chalkboard.
7. Attach hangers. Be sure to find hangers that are designed to withstand the weight of the chalkboard (it’s not incredibly heavy, but still) – we found D ring hangers work well. Attach one to the back frame on either side, making sure that they are level with one another.
Before using your chalkboard, be sure to cover the ENTIRE thing with chalk. This is called seasoning the board. Just rub the whole surface with the side of a piece of chalk. Classroom dustless chalk works particularly well for this. Then wipe it with a chalkboard brush or a clean dry cloth.
Nothing adds rustic farmhouse character like a chalkboard! And the bigger, the better, right?
Kristi Mercer says
March 30, 2016 at 10:18 am<3
Claire says
March 30, 2016 at 3:47 pmYour giant chalkboard looks great. I like the mini wreath decoration as well it balances it out.
Kristi says
March 30, 2016 at 10:52 pmThank you SO, SO much Claire!
Marie, The Interior Frugalista says
March 31, 2016 at 12:53 amKristi, I was admiring your chalkboard when I saw your hallway reveal. So glad you did a post about how you made it. It looked looks fabulous in that space!
Kristi says
March 31, 2016 at 8:35 amAwwwww, well thanks Marie! I’m thrilled that you loved it as much as I did! xo
allie @ Through Her Looking Glass says
April 3, 2016 at 6:51 pmGorgeous chalkboard Shannon. I am in process re-designing my office/work space and have been thinking about what I’d hang over my metal industrial “work table”. I love how you framed this and the simplicity. I might make half of it a painted cork board, as I’m needing a space to pin up ideas, etc. Super post, thanks for the inspiration!
Kristi says
April 3, 2016 at 7:36 pmThank you so much Allie! I’m so happy you’re feeling inspired!
Merryjo Agnel says
April 4, 2016 at 12:38 amYour giant chalkboard looks Awesome. Love this. Super post, thanks for the inspiration!
Kristi says
April 4, 2016 at 11:26 amThank you so, so much Merryjo! I’m so happy you loved it!!!
Barb Carlson says
April 8, 2016 at 12:58 pmI love this. My first thought was go to the thrift shop and buy something with a frame and make the chalkboard to fit. Quick. Easy.
Kristi says
April 8, 2016 at 7:15 pmThat’s a brilliant idea! Thanks so much Barb!
Katrin says
April 9, 2016 at 6:09 amThis is soo gorgeous, I love chalkboards A LOT! I’ve never thought of making one with a pretty frame like this, it sounds easy to do! Thanks for sharing this at Sweet Inspiration#1!!!
Kristi says
April 9, 2016 at 9:59 amThank you Katrin! It really was super quick to whip up!
Jenny @ Refresh Living says
April 10, 2016 at 6:18 pmYour chalkboard turned out beautiful – and it fits so perfectly in your farmhouse hallway. Thanks for the tutorial!
Kristi says
April 10, 2016 at 10:23 pmThank you so, so much Jenny! I absolutely adore it in our new hallway too! Thanks again!
Lorraine says
May 22, 2016 at 4:22 amI really wanted to know how to create a chalk board. THANKS
Kristi says
May 22, 2016 at 4:54 pmOh good! So happy you’re feeling inspired!
Lyndi says
May 31, 2016 at 2:32 pmHi! Love Love this! Just quick question what size of D Rings did you use? Our local hardware stores seem to only carry larger ones?
Kristi says
May 31, 2016 at 6:39 pmThanks so much Lyndi! I don’t think it matters too much what size you use as long as it fits onto the back of the frame. Just for reference, we used ones similar to these: http://www.amazon.com/Extra-Triangle-Picture-Hanger-Wiseacresart/dp/B000OMMI9U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1464734239&sr=8-2&keywords=d+ring+hook. Thanks again!
Jennifer says
November 21, 2016 at 9:10 pmDo you need to use a wax to seal the chalk paint afterwards or just primer and chalk paint?
Kristi says
November 21, 2016 at 9:27 pmAs long as you use proper chalkboard paint, you don’t need to seal it with anything, just be sure to “season” it by first rubbing a piece of chalk over the entire chalkboard before using it.
Holly says
January 31, 2017 at 4:04 pmCan you just nail the whole thing to the wall using a brad nailer? Or would that be a bad idea?
Meredith says
February 13, 2017 at 10:35 amSo, do the nails show on the front at all? It doesn’t look like it in the pics but I’m not seeing where you put the nails to attach the front part of the frame to the chalkboard?
Manny says
April 4, 2017 at 4:39 pmHow thick is the board u used for the chalkboard?
Cheyenne says
January 10, 2018 at 12:53 amHi!
I really loved this tutorial and my husband and I FINALLY decided to give it a go after a ton of research. It is now finished but I am stumped as of what to use for hardware. Its a lot taller than this one pictured, and not as wide. It will be used by my toddler which is why I am having such a hard time picking out the hardware… Are the D rings good enough to where it couldn’t easily be ripped off the wall? This is a very large chalkboard and I want it super secured to the wall. You never know with toddlers! Could I add anything along with the D rings to prevent this from happening? Maybe some heavy duty command strips? Thank you, and Lovely job with this project! I had been researching for months before I finally stumbled upon a tutorial where they didn’t nail or staple the board to the wall, I like knowing I will be able to move it in the future. Any input on (easy installation) hardware is appreciated. 🙂
– Cheyenne Cobb
Aspiring Interior Designer, and lover of all things farmhouse
Shannon Acheson says
January 10, 2018 at 10:52 amYes, if it is within reach of a toddler, I’d definitely be sure it’s secured well. I hesitate to make recommendations as we don’t have toddlers here anymore. Please do be sure it’s fastened well – either into studs or with heavy duty anchors.
lily zea says
March 5, 2018 at 11:30 pmHow long did it take you to make this chalkboard? I am planning on making mine for my sorority and want to know how much time I will need to devote to it! Thank you!
Fawn says
May 19, 2018 at 8:51 amWhat is that on the corners of the back part of the frame? Almost looks like some type of metal? Or is the color just different? Either way, I like it and want to try to replicate it. Also, where on the back did you attach the Document rings? On the frame? Thanks!
Kara says
February 9, 2019 at 1:24 pmBeautiful chalkboard! How thick was the MDF you used?
Shannon Acheson says
February 19, 2019 at 9:48 amGood question! I think any thickness would work. It just depends on your likes and dislikes and such! 😉
Kara says
February 12, 2019 at 12:24 amDid you use spray chalkboard paint, or did you roll it on with a foam roller?
Shannon Acheson says
February 12, 2019 at 12:56 pmThe chalkboard paint is brushed or rolled on. Although if you have a steady hand, you could use spray chalkboard paint if you’d like.
Christina Werremeyer says
March 19, 2019 at 2:52 pmWhere did you find those mini-wreaths? I’m looking for something identical to those.