Paint a Chalkboard Accent Wall the Kids Will Love

One quart of chalkboard paint turns a kitchen wall into a grocery list, calendar, and art studio all at once.

How to build it

1. 1

   Prep the wall

   Wash the wall with mild soap and let it dry completely. Fill any nail holes with spackle, sand smooth, and wipe down with a tack cloth. Chalkboard paint shows every bump, so prep matters more here than with regular paint.

2. 2

   Tape your borders

   Use painter's tape to define the chalkboard area — a full wall, a rectangle, or even a giant framed panel. Run a level along horizontal tape lines; your eye will catch a crooked edge every single day if you skip this.

3. 3

   Roll the first coat

   Stir the paint thoroughly (don't shake — it creates bubbles). Cut in the edges with an angled brush, then roll the first coat in thin, even passes. Thin coats are the secret: two thin coats beat one thick one every time.

4. 4

   Apply the second coat and cure

   Wait 4 hours, then apply the second coat perpendicular to the first. Pull the tape while the paint is still slightly tacky for crisp lines. Then the hard part: let it cure for 3 full days before writing on it.

5. 5

   Season the surface

   Before first use, rub the side of a piece of chalk over the entire surface, then erase. This 'seasons' the board so your first grocery list doesn't ghost into the paint forever.