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20 DIY Chalkboard Projects

I think that by now, chalkboard projects have graduated from “flavor of the week” to “design staple.”  Prime example, just look at all the chalkboard products we have at our fingertips: chalkboard paint, spray paint, vinyl, contact paper, and {wait for it} even chalk cloth vinyl.  They’ve made it easy as 1-2-3 for us to transform practically anything into a chalk-able surface.  And I am guilty as charged!

Since I can’t seem to get enough of chalkboard projects, I’ve collected 20 DIY Chalkboard Projects into a round-up worth a gander.  You’ll quickly see that chalkboard isn’t just for the classroom anymore.  No, no.  Chalkboard is for our mugs and signs and gifts and walls…and it is here to stay!

20 DIY Chalkboard Projects | The Thinking Closet

DIY Chalkboard Project Round-Up

The sisters at A Beautiful Mess never cease to amaze me with their creative projects, including this chalkboard mug.  Such a great hostess or holiday gift!

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
DIY Chalkboard Mug | A Beautiful Mess

Speaking of great gift ideas, how about these chalkboard coasters?  You could play tic-tac-toe in between sips of lemonade!

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up by The Thinking Closet
DIY Chalkboard Coasters | The Sweetest Occasion

Chalkboard gifts need none other than chalkboard-inspired gift-wrap!  I bought a roll of black paper and chalkboard markers last Christmas, and I’m still getting great use out of them.

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Chalkboard-Inspired Wrapping Paper | The Thinking Closet

Did you know that you can achieve an antiquing effect on fabric using Mod Podge?  Learn the how-to in this nifty tutorial by No. 2 Pencil:

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Antiqued Fabric Framed Chalkboards | No. 2 Pencil

Did you also know that there’s such a thing as chalk cloth vinyl?  Perfect for a reusable pennant banner!

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
All Occasion Chalkboard Banner | Delia Creates

You’ll never look at “trash” the same way when you see how Bethany transformed a bench thrown out by her neighbor into a darling chalkboard Welcome sign!

DIY Chalkboard Project Round-Up by The Thinking Closet
Trash-to-Chalkboard Transformation | Pitter & Glink

You can even transform baking pans into nifty chore charts with some chalkboard spray paint as Kirsten shows us!

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up by The Thinking Closet
DIY Chalk Chore Charts | One Tough Mother

If you’re a fan of charts, then check out this chalkboard menu board!  I love its simplicity.

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
DIY Chalkboard Menu Board | Adventures of a DIY Mom

And y’all know how much I love surprise notes…what a great idea to make a chalkboard surface on a lunch box for notes to the kiddos!

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Lunch with Chalkboard Note Area | Repeat Crafter Me

I used chalkboard spray paint to transform chipboard into a Birthday & Anniversary Calendar to keep track of those dates I always forget forgot.

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
D.I.Y. Birthday & Anniversary Calendar | The Thinking Closet

And oh, the potential fun you could have in family photo shoots with some chalkboard talk bubbles!  First-day-of-school tradition, perhaps?

DIY Chalkboard Project Round-Up by The Thinking Closet
DIY Chalkboard Talk Bubbles | Oh Happy Day

Chalkboard can even be fashionable!  Amy proves it in this tutorial.

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up by The Thinking Closet
Chalkboard Heart Necklace | One Artsy Mama

Want to get a head start on Christmas gifts?  Check out these clever chalkboard ornaments:

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Chalkboard Ornaments | Rust & Sunshine

At parties, use chalkboard “dipped” wine glasses to help distinguish whose is whose!

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up by The Thinking Closet
Chalkboard “Dipped” Wine Glass Stems | Inspired Honeybee

Who is brave enough to go big with a chalkboard wall?!  I love how Chris used different colored chalk markers to accent the wall.

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Chalkboard Wall | Just a Girl

Chalk is such a great non-messy medium to use with kiddos…and what a great idea to add a chalkboard surface to a kids’ craft table.

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Fun-in-the-Sun Craft Table | 7 Alive

Did you know that chalkboard isn’t limited to black?  Look at this purdy blue that my friend Jen used:

DIY Chalkboard Project Round-Up by The Thinking Closet
Travel Train Box | de Jong Dream House

And check out this tray that got a bright n’ bold makeover with some lime green chalkboard paint!  Hooray for tea time!

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Colored Chalkboard Painted Tray | A Stylist’s Life

These chalkboard painted pots are so lovely…they almost have me deluded into thinking I  have a green thumb.

DIY Chalkboard Projects Round-Up | The Thinking Closet
Chalkboard Painted Herb Pots |
The Weekend Homemaker

A certain “someone” (me!) created some wooden chalkboard labels (these below!) to help organize “their” (my!) kitchen pantry last fall.  It’s still going strong!

DIY Chalkboard Label Tutorial by The Thinking Closet
DIY Chalkboard Label Tutorial by moi at de Jong Dream House today!

While my buddy Jen is abroad in the Netherlands, I have hijacked her blog, de Jong Dream House.  (Hijacked…guest posted…same thing.)  And today, I’m sharing this very tutorial from the archives, my friends…and it’s one that probably most of you have never seen as it was published when I was just a baby blogger with only my family for followers.

Now that my “family” has grown to include so many of you dears, I thought it was time to give this post its “second spring” in (ahem) summer.  Check it out here.

Then, be sure to mosey around the Dream House a bit, look for a sole mate, and taste some yummy homemade Nutella.

20 DIY Chalkboard Projects | The Thinking Closet

The 21st Chalkboard Project

Just popping into this post a few months later to add my latest DIY chalkboard creation, a Ruler-Framed Chalkboard Sign, perfect for teacher gifts, hospitality gifts, or photo shoots!  Check out the full tutorial here.

Ruler Frame Chalkboard Sign Tutorial by The Thinking Closet
Ruler-Framed Chalkboard Sign

Your Turn!

Do you have any DIY Chalkboard Projects you’ve tackled?  Any pins that I need to check out?  Do share!  You always inspire me when you do.

Have a wonderful rest of your weekend, everyone.  {Linking up here.}

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79 Comments

  1. I did a chalkboard sign to hang outside our trailer at the campground. I did one for our neighbours too. That way if anyone comes and are wondering where we are they can check the board and we will have written where we are (ie at the pool, doing the craft, etc) and then they can also leave us a note if they need too. It was great fun to do.

    1. No worries, Debbie! It was a joy to feature your dipped wine glasses. They’re super cute and added so much creativity to this round-up.

  2. I love your round-ups! Alicia, my housemate, has turned me onto the amazingness that is chalkboards! They seem to be all around Lismore House. I like these unique projects….especially the DIY Chalkboard Label tutorial. 🙂 It’s so smart, because there have been many a time I’ve printed out a label, but later (depending on how much of the “thing” I have) I may want to move the location or replace it. The chalkboard label allows for that flexibility. I’m glad that post is getting another go out in blogland. Wow, and I can’t believe it’s almost your blog one year anniversary!!!! If this is what’s happened in one year, I can’t wait to see what will happen in 2…or 10??

  3. I love all these! Thank you for sharing at our Simply Create Link Party. We will be featuring and pinning your conglomeration post on Thurs. night at our Link party. 🙂

    Melissa
    redflycreations.com

  4. Great collection!

    A few months ago I found a beautiful, antique, wooden mirror frame. The glass had broken leaving just the plywood behind it. I loved the frame and it was like $2, so I had to take it home. Now it is a pretty chalkboard in my bedroom! I haven’t posted it yet, need to get on that!

    1. Wow! That’s a perfect use for such a frame! In fact, I’m hoping to do something similar as a hospitality gift…so DO let me know when you post on it, Erika! I’d love to glean some inspiration from your creation.

  5. I did not read all of the comments, so if someone already posted this idea–sorry you have to hear it again. I got this idea from–where else–Pinterest. I tried it and it works like a charm. You can use black poster board for your chalkboard. Put it in a cute frame and write away. It erases, too–no need to “season it”. I can’t believe something so easy works.

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Madeline! And for the invitation to check out your new blog. Congrats! What an exciting time for you!

    1. I love hearing how many people are chalkboard fans. No wonder it’s cropping up everywhere lately! And a chalkboard is the PERFECT medium for a summer fun list. I can just see those fun items popping off of the black background with such vibrancy. Thanks for co-hosting such an awesome party, Jenn. And for stopping by!

  6. These are some really great ideas. I love the chalkboard look! I just made a big chalkboard for our kitchen using chalkboard spray paint and a cute white frame and it was so easy and came out great. Thanks for sharing.

    1. You hit the nail on the head with the word “easy.” I think that’s why I love the chalkboard spray-paint. In just a few sweeps of the can, you can dramatically transform a piece into a chalkboard surface. It’s fantastic! Thanks for sharing your story and for stopping by, Kelly. Great to “meet” you.

  7. Great chalkboard project roundup. Thought I had every chalkboard idea there was but you surprised me with a couple of new ones!
    We would like to invite you to party with us at 5:00 on Thursday evenings at the new Blog Strut Peacock Style Link Party to share your very creative and clever roundup. Come on over!! http://wp.me/P2Vf55-1K

    1. Yay! I love surprising people! And thanks for the invitation, Sande. If I can make it, I’ll stop by!

    1. The honor is all mine, Delia! I’m really obsessed with that re-usable banner that you whipped up! So practical!

    1. I’ve got a whole roll of that black craft paper left over if you want some! I’ll probably be using it for the next 50 years, so chalkboard BETTER not go out of style. 😉

    1. Thanks so much for the feature, Ms. Mackenzie! Grabbed my featured button already and am wearing it with pride. 🙂

    1. Yay! I’m always happy to find another fan of chalkboard paint! And thanks for the invitation. Once I get caught up on emails and comments and get back to linkys, I’ll do my best to stop by.

    1. Thanks, Kenley! Chalkboard is definitely on the brain these days…”I just can’t get enough” as the song goes. Hope you’re having a wonderful week, my friend.

    1. Thanks, Abby! And you’re so sweet to head over to check out my “blast-from-the-past” post. Those were in my pre-watermarking days of old…it’s crazy to think how little I knew then about blogging…it was my first week, I do believe! But I DID know that I loved chalkboard projects. 😉

      And I know you’d work some magic with some chalkboard paint at your disposal. Watch out, world!

    1. Thanks, Jennifer! And going to your chalk paint project, I totally remember reading that when you first shared it back in February! It’s such an awesome look for that space. Thanks for sharing it again to jog my memory! (He he…I had fun reading my own comment.)

    1. Great idea to have a Round-Up board! I might have to follow in suit. Thanks for stopping by and for the pin-love, Kathy! I appreciate it.

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this round-up, Ingrid! Yes, a reusable pennant banner would come in handy for parties, wouldn’t it? And you’re kind to mention your appreciation for my birthday and anniversary calendar. It’s still doing its job and giving me more forewarning on upcoming important dates. Which reminds me, I have some anniversary gifts to pull together! 😉 Have a great week, my friend.

    1. Of course! Thanks for the invitation to hijack de Jong Dream House for a weekend. ‘Twas a joy and an honor. Now, go live it up in the Netherlands; I can’t wait to hear about your adventures upon your return.

    1. Why thank you, Allison! I appreciate you taking the time to comment and to pin. Have a fantastic week!

  8. Thanks so much for featuring my menu board!! You’ve gathered up so many great ideas – which is great for me, since I still have more chalkboard paint to use up!

    1. You’re so welcome, Rachel! And I can’t wait to hear what you end up creating with that extra chalkboard paint. The possibilities really are endless, aren’t they?

    1. Of course! Thanks for taking the time to stop by and check it out, Marilyn. You rock.

  9. Great ideas!

    Remember sidewalk chalk of your childhood? I sometimes use it to welcome people in front of the tenthouse!
    I fear writing on black boards with chalk in schools will soon be a thing of the past, but I still love to use it when I teach and will do it until they haul away the chalkboard! 🙂

  10. Amazing round-up, Lauren! I’m so inspired. Like you, I love chalkboard anything. And I was going to say that the chalkboard bunting was my favourite, but when I read “Here I am, Rock you like a hurricane” on the speech bubble, I was sold on those.

    Reading Scorpions lyrics on a Sunday morning starts it off just right! 🙂

    Pinning, sharing, shouting from the rooftops! 🙂

    1. Thanks for being such a supportive bloggy buddy, Tara! You are awesome on so many levels (your affinity for Scorpions lyrics not withstanding). And I’ll have you know that I’m finding as many opportunities as possible to use the word “kidlets” now thanks to you. 😉

    1. Thanks for the pin-love, Mary! And I know that feeling of “so many crafts, so little time.” The clock always seems to tick faster when I have craft supplies out…what’s that about? 🙂

    1. I thought that one was particularly clever! I pack Mark’s lunchbag for work and am trying to scheme a way to do something similar…though a bag is less conducive to chalkboard than a box. Hmmmm…..

    1. Thanks, Holly! I had to stop myself at 20, but could have kept going. There are just so many creative chalkboard projects out there!

    1. Oooo! How fun! I’ll have to look out on Too Much Time to see what you’ve been up to. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. Love your linky party!

  11. These are great Lauren. Chalkboard is making a bit of a come back here too. I road tested many ways to design crochet/knitting patterns but it turned out chalkboard is definitely the best way to do equations. How surprising! LOL!
    I got a mini folding chalkboard, crocheted a cover and voila! A laptop that is actually a real live chalkboard!

    1. Your mini folding chalkboard with crocheted cover sounds darling! I love it! Do you have photos of it on your blog? Would love to see this little gem. 🙂

      1. Oh my goodness. Yes, the links work. And yes, I’m a HUGE fan of the chalkboard laptop! Absolutely brilliant, Sharon!

    1. Thanks, Katherine! It was a blast to pull together this round-up. Got my creative juices flowing!

  12. I love chalkboard projects! In fact, I think it’s time I do more of them 🙂 Love all these great ideas you were able to round-up. Thanks so much for including my lunch box with chalkboard note area!

    1. Yay! Glad this round-up may have re-inspired you to work on chalkboard projects. I really can’t get enough of them myself!

      And it was an honor to include your oh-so-awesome lunch box in the mix. I am SO doing that down the road when I have lunch boxes to pack! Thanks for the inspiration, Sarah.

    1. Your “Welcome” sign brings a whole new meaning to the saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Seriously, what a treasure you created. Thanks for allowing me to feature it in this round-up, Bethany! And thanks for the pin!

  13. I love it! So many great ideas! Last year, I stocked up on some chalkboard vinyl from Pick Your Plum, so I’ve been rather chalk-happy myself. And when I was painting my son’s room (when it was still a nursery, sniffle) I did a whole wall in chalkboard paint. Much to my mother-in-law’s displeasure, hehe. I love the coasters. Can’t wait to have a go with my boring set!

    1. Chalkboard vinyl is one medium I haven’t worked with yet, but am dying to…will have to keep my eye out on Pick Your Plum for some! And what a great idea to do a chalkboard wall in a nursery…I haven’t really seen that before. I love it! (Even though your MIL may not. Tee hee.)

      And do you think you’ll use the vinyl on the coasters or paint them? I’d love to make some, as well!

      1. I will most likely paint the coasters since they are a porous tile. The vinyl works really well for smooth surfaces like glass or plastic (totes in my craft room) but I’m not crazy about how it adheres to rougher surfaces. I put a sheet of it on the freezer in the garage to keep tabs on how much meat we have left, but it kind of bubbles around the edge. Of course, that may also be due to the temperature changes in the garage…

        1. Good thinking with using paint on a porous surface. And I have wondered how the vinyl would hold up in general with the humidity here in Florida. The contact paper I used on my drawer organizers has held up on our main level, but not so well downstairs in basement-like lower level. I think temp. changes make a big difference with those sorts of things!

    1. Love those chore charts! Although we don’t have kidlets of our own yet, I might need a chore chart for myself. (I need a chart to motivate me to exercise…why shouldn’t the same hold for chores, right?) Anyway, thanks for allowing me to include it! I know that so many others will find inspiration in it, as well. Have a great start to your week, Kirsten.

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