Guest Post: An Easy Chalkboard Project

With most families’ busy fall schedules now in full swing, a message board can be a lifesaver when it comes to keeping track of appointments, grocery lists and reminders. And, a stylish chalkboard is a great addition to your decor.

While there are other tutorials out there for creating a framed chalkboard, I’ve found the easiest solution is to simply convert an old framed mirror. Luckily, Goodwill is a great place to find them, usually for less than $15.  While any style will work, I always look for a frame that has character–some interesting detailing or carving, like this one:

Once you have your mirror, you will need a can of chalkboard paint (available at any home improvement store), a sponge roller, painter’s tape and spray paint for the frame.

I recently completed this project using a mirror that we had stored away.  I started by rolling two coats of chalkboard paint directly over the mirror.  Be sure that you use a sponge roller; a brush will leave marks, giving you a rough surface.  Let the chalkboard paint dry for 24 hours.

Once the paint is dry, you can begin taping off the mirror so that only the frame is exposed.  I also use a piece of newspaper or shipping paper so that no paint mist gets on the mirror. Now, you’re ready to spray. For mine, I used a glossy white interior/exterior spray paint, but there are lots of fun colors out there, if you want to experiment.

The final result is a decorative message board that hangs by our back door and keeps us on track.

-Emily A. Clark

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Editor’s Note: This post was written by guest blogger and Goodwill shopper Emily A. Clark. Stop by our Contributors page for more about Emily, or or read her other posts here.