chalkboard paint

Chalkboards are appearing in kitchens all over the place. They are perfect for kids who love to draw on walls, an efficient way to leave notes for other people and of course reminders for yourself.

How to Create a Chalkboard in the Kitchen?

Chalkboard paint can be applied to virtually any area of a kitchen. But you can also use chalkboard contact paper or apple removable chalkboard panels. These last two options can be easier and less messy, and the removable panels are not permanent. Panels may be a good way to start for people experimenting with their first chalkboard.

Chalkboards look great on walls, cabinet doors and refrigerators. You can cover an entire space or you can frame your board using an old picture fame or build one yourself with materials from your local home improvement store.

Where Should You Put Your Chalkboard?

If you are trying to figure out where to put your new chalkboard, think about what you will be using it for and who will be using it. Do you want to design an entire mural, or do you simply want an erasable grocery shopping list? Will user be able see it… and reach it?

Another nice feature of chalkboard paint is that you can get the tint-able kind. This means that you can paint an area (or your fridge) to match with rest of your cabinetry. Alternatively, you could choose a contrasting color… that would get people’s attention!

Chalkboard Ideas: What else can you do? 

Erasable surfaces can be very useful for containers that store food (like cookies!) other items (like silverware), plant vases or flower pots, picture frames or place mats for the kids (or adults). These mason jars look pretty cool for a simple inexpensive chalkboard craft. Surfaces don’t need to be flat, so be creative. However, if they are shiny, smooth or have a glossy finish, take some sand paper to the surface to rough them up so the paint sticks (plastic doesn’t work well for this unless you use a plastic-specific primer underneath).

Chalkboard contact paper is an easy and mess-free alternative to using chalkboard paint. Use it for projects that have large flat surfaces. On the other hand, you can cut the roll into smaller pieces to make small chalkboard labels for glasses, boxes or other containers.

Where to Buy Chalkboard Contact Paper:

Amazon sells vinyl wall decals in large rolls of about 6.5 feet long x 18 inches wide. These panels work well if you want to cover a large area on a wall, an appliance like a fridge or dishwasher.

In addition, you can create multiple blackboards or craft items as gifts for friends. The rolls don’t cost much money when you consider how useful the erasable chalkboard surface is. (Not to mention, you don’t have to spend time painting.)

You can also find this type of contact paper at crafts stores like Micheal’s. Stores like Walmart, Home Depot and other hobby shops usually carry it too.

The video below shows how to make a simple and inexpensive chalkboard for a refrigerator using chalkboard paper and special duct tape for a frame.

Note: Chalkboard contact paper has a big advantage over chalk paint in that you can remove it. These peel-and-stick decals simply peel off of the surface that you stick them too. Consequently, they work well as temporary wall decor for people living in apartments or renting office space.