How to Paint a Chalkboard Wall

At the time, this project was honestly the last thing that needed to happen in the middle of everything else going on in the house.

There was already a finished living room makeover upstairs and a kitchen renovation happening downstairs, but somehow a chalkboard wall still got added to the list.

This bedroom makeover was all for a little boy who had been waiting forever for his superhero room, and the chalkboard wall felt like the perfect feature to make the space feel extra fun.

Even with the mess, paint splatters, and total chaos happening everywhere, seeing how excited he was made the whole project completely worth it.

Supply List

• Painter's Tape
• Paint Brushes
• Roller
• Cloth or Paper Towel
• Chalkboard Paint

The amount of chalkboard paint needed will depend on the size of the wall you plan to cover.

A standard gallon of paint usually covers around 350 to 400 square feet with one coat.

Before the Chalkboard Wall

One of the best things about this house was the huge upstairs bedrooms. Even with a king-size bed in the room, there was still plenty of open floor space for the kids to play.

For this project, the chalkboard wall was painted on the short wall directly behind the bed. The only slightly annoying part was the rounded corner where the wall met the ceiling. It was not a clean straight edge, which made taping everything off a little tricky.

Using FrogTape Advanced made a huge difference in achieving crisp paint lines around those awkward corners. Sometimes the right tape really does save a project from becoming frustrating.

Preparing the Wall

Before painting, the wall needs to be clean and free of dust or dirt. If the wall has rough spots or texture, lightly going over it with sandpaper helps create a smoother surface for the chalkboard paint.

Once the wall is prepped, apply painter's tape around the area you plan to paint. Taking a little extra time here really helps later when it is time to remove the tape.

One little trick that helps a lot is running a damp cloth or paper towel along the edges of the tape after it is applied.

This helps seal the tape to the wall so paint does not sneak underneath and ruin those clean lines.

Painting the Chalkboard Wall

Start by using a paintbrush around the edges and corners where the roller cannot easily reach. Then use a roller to fill in the rest of the wall with chalkboard paint.

Depending on the color underneath and the paint brand you use, you may need a second coat for full coverage. Let the first coat dry completely before deciding if another coat is needed.

Once the paint is dry to the touch, slowly peel the tape away from the wall in one smooth motion.

Pulling it off too quickly can sometimes pull fresh paint with it, and nobody wants to fix that afterward.

Conditioning the Chalkboard Wall

After painting, the hardest part is waiting. The chalkboard paint needs a few days to fully cure before it is ready to use with chalk.

Before anyone starts drawing all over the wall, the surface needs to be conditioned first. This sounds fancy, but it is actually really simple. Rub the side of a piece of chalk over the entire wall and then wipe it clean with a dry cloth or paper towel.

This step helps prevent permanent ghost lines from appearing after erasing drawings. It only takes a minute and makes a big difference.

A Fun Wall That Actually Gets Used

One of the best things about a chalkboard wall is that it actually becomes part of everyday life. It is not just something pretty hanging on the wall that nobody touches.

This same technique works in bedrooms, playrooms, kitchens, offices, or anywhere that could use a little creative space.

Kids love it because they can draw freely, and honestly, adults end up using it just as much for notes, doodles, and reminders.

There is just something fun about having permission to write directly on the wall.

More Bedroom Ideas

Can you have too many bedroom decorating ideas? I don't think so! Here are a few more fun ideas to try next.

Hi, I'm Katie!

I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!

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