One of my favorite things about farmhouse design is the oversize wall art with the inspiring quotes on them. They're gorgeous and a beautiful statement piece to add to your home.
I lack storage space for a collection of them, but I found the next best thing! I could have a similar look and spend a fraction of the price by switching the quotes, verses, and artwork on a chalkboard. Here is my D.I.Y Chalkboard Plans for my 4 ft x 4 ft giant statement chalkboard & ideas to get you started!
Tools You Need For This Project:
1x4 boards (trim/frame boards)
1/4 inch plywood (4x8 ft)
1/2 inch wood screws
chalkboard paint
stain- your choice of color
paint brushes
paint roller
chalk
table saw or power saw
electric drill
Picture Frame D Hooks (2)
Size Matters
Before you get started and saw happy, make a plan and figure out what size chalkboard is going to work best for your space. I knew I wanted a large, in your face, statement piece for our long narrow living/dinning/kitchen combo space. We have this long 27 ft. wall that needed filled up. I wanted my chalkboard to be large and in charge, but not so in charge that it's nauseating. Remember, you actually have to write on this every now and then. If a large chalkboard is intimidating; go smaller. Once your plan is made and you know the size you want, you can move onto the fun part.
Pro Tip: The people working in the lumber department are happy help make some of the work less on your end. They can cut any wood to any size you need! Awesome for people like me with little SUV's or if you don't own a saw at home! I got 1 sheet of plywood that was 4x8 ft cut down to 4x4, and then two 2x4s, then had him cut one of the 2x4s into a 2x2 ft size. It's FREE! They will not charge you for getting any wood cut.
Putting It All Together
Start by cutting your plywood sheet to size (if you haven't already done this in the store). If you had it cut in store; skip to step #2.
Make The Frame: Take your 1x4 boards and cut two pieces to fit the length of the left and right side of your plywood sheet. Measure the distance between inside "gap" of your left and right boards to get an accurate measurement for your top and bottom 1x4 boards. Make the cuts needed.
Go ahead and stain the 1x4 boards now. While those boards dry, you can take your chalkboard paint and give it a quick shake or a few stirs. It's easier to paint the chalkboard paint onto the plywood before assembling it. Less mess and we won't have to use painters tape to keep it off the frame boards. You will need to roll on the chalkboard paint to get a clean and smooth finish. You may have to roll on a few coats of the paint. Two to Three coats should do it! Let everything fully dry!
The next step is a little tricky and might be easier with a helpful hand. We want a clean finish on the front of the frame, so the screws will be going in from the back side. Lay your plywood sheet, chalkboard paint side down, onto a flat surface. Slide your left and right boards underneath the plywood. Make sure it's flush on top, bottom, and side edge of plywood. Take your 1/2 inch screws and drill from the back side of plywood down into the 1/4 boards. Do this on both sides. Slide top and bottom 1/4 boards in place; keeping them flush with side edge of plywood and drill them into place like you did the others. This will create a clean front finish.
Attach a hefty (appropriate weight) picture frame D hooks to the backside of your chalkboard.
Before you hang the chalkboard or write on it, you must "season" your chalkboard. This is done by taking chalk and rubbing the chalk long ways against the chalkboard; all over. The entire chalkboard should be covered with chalk. You can then take a rag, towel, or shop cloth, and rub the chalk off the chalkboard. If you skip this step, you may experience scratches in your chalkboard or permanently seeing the first thing you ever write on your chalkboard forever.
Chalkboard Art
To be totally honest, my best ideas come from Pinterest. If you don't follow me on my Pinterest yet; you should! I have a Pinterest Board called "Chalkboard" dedicated to the best of the best ideas! I save all my favorite inspiration in there!
Maybe you have a saying, quote, or phrase you would love to write on your new chalkboard. Sometimes, I like a simple "art moment" where I just draw a picture or hang a holiday banner over it instead of writing a quote. I like to do holiday themed stuff for the kids. It makes it so much more fun! They love seeing what gets put on the chalkboard next.
Below is a collection of my chalkboard designs over the past couple years.
Comments