Don’t Make It a Focal Point: Chalkboard paint is best used in moderation. Use it to paint a small wall or just a portion of a wall. Place the chalkboard wall in a less obvious part of your house and you won’t have to worry about the trend becoming an eyesore. A big chalkboard wall in a main part of your home—such as the living room—may end up making the room look like graffiti central. It's important to know the difference between regular chalk paint and chalkboard paint, as the latter can be written on and erased like an old-fashioned chalkboard but isn't suitable for use on furniture. The best chalk paint for furniture is one that adheres well to wood surfaces.

The best chalk paint is Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint. With outstanding adherence and durability, this paint is great for a wide variety of surfaces. For small craft projects where you don't want a lot of leftover paint, we recommend FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Paint, which comes in bottles as small as 2 ounces and costs just about a dollar an ounce. What to Look for in a Chalk Paint Surface Compatibility Chalk Paint: 1 litre is enough to cover approximately 13 square metres. 500ml is enough to cover approximately 6.5 square metres. Keep in mind, if you’re painting over a dark colour, you may require further coverage to achieve desired opacity. Struggling to choose a colour? The Chalk Paint™ Colour Card uses real paint swatches to give you an accurate colour sample. For those who are looking for a rustic look, applying chalk paint with a natural flexible long bristle brush is highly recommended, as the brushstrokes can be seen and add some character to the matte finish. Some people favor using a foam roller, even though this technique may call for additional paint.This paint dries to the touch in 30 minutes. However, if you’re looking for a more opaque finish, you’ll have to wait at least two hours between coats. While primer isn't necessary with this chalk paint, it is highly suggested for unfinished wood. You also don't need to sand your surface for the paint to adhere. If paint gets on the floor by accident, the latex formula makes it easy to clean up with just soap and water. A chalk paint's coverage claims should be taken with a grain of salt because of how widely varying each project is. Darker woods, for example, will require more product or coats to cover, especially if you’re using a lighter paint color. If you're going for a weathered look, full coverage might not be that important. You might even like the way the wood looks when it shows through. All things considered, 1 ounce of chalk paint will typically cover 1 to 3 square feet. Chalk paint is great for many different types of DIY projects, including painting furniture and repurposing picture frames. In addition to giving any project a matte, farmhouse-chic finish with minimal effort, chalk paint is great because itdoesn't need much surface prep, is easy to apply, and can be distressed or waxed. Struggling to choose a colour? The Chalk Paint Colour Card uses real paint swatches to give you an accurate colour sample.

Be sure not to confuse chalkboard paint with chalk paint. Chalkboard paint is just what it sounds like—paint that allows you to turn the item or wall you’re painting into one you can write on with chalk. It creates a hard, scratch-resistant surface and can be applied to wood, metal, drywall, glass, concrete and more. According to Rust-Oleum, a maker of chalkboard paint, the paint works best when used indoors and can be cleaned with soap and water. Allow the paint to dry for three days and once cured, prepare the surface for chalk by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk over the entire surface, and then erase it. If you get tired of a chalkboard wall, you can just paint over it. Wash the area to remove all residue, then sand, prime and paint over it with your favorite new color. To use the chalk paint on upholstery, evenly spray the fabric with water, and brush on the chalk paint (you may want to dilute it slightly). If necessary, apply a second or third coat of paint to get the desired effect. You can successfully transform a side chair or even an entire sofa with this chalk paint in minutes. Dust can prevent paint from adhering to upholstery, so be sure to clean and vacuum the surface before beginning. The paint is free of chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde, or heavy metals and comes in 4-, 16-, and 32-ounce containers, so you can choose the right size for your needs.

After painting, seal indoor furniture with Chalk Paint® Wax. On floors, seal with Chalk Paint® Lacquer. Take a look at our Techniques & Tips section for more ideas and inspiration to help you get started. This chalk paint, like most others, is versatile and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces like wood and glass. Dust: If you don’t like dust, a chalkboard wall may not be right for you. Chalk is messy and the dust from the chalk will find its way to your floor and to any furniture and crevices nearby. Colored chalk dust can also discolor any flooring or painted walls nearby. Contrary to popular belief, chalk paint is incredibly versatile and can be used to paint fabrics as well as furniture and vases. Almost any chalk paint will work well on fabric, but we prefer Country Chic, because it is inexpensive and comes in more than 50 different colors.