How to Paint a Chalkboard Wall – Floor to Ceiling
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How to create a floor to ceiling chalkboard on a wall in your home. It can be on a large wall or painted on only a section of a wall depending on your available wall space. Painting a chalkboard or a blackboard on a wall is as easy as rolling paint on the wall. You can have one painted in your home in a day.
In my early days of blogging, I wrote a post entitled, How to Draw Like an Artist on a Chalkboard. It is where I shared all the chalkboard drawing tips I learned over the years, like dipping the chalk in water before using.
In my previous house I had a large chalkboard in the kitchen and later moved it to the dining room where I enjoyed changing what was on it for the season, like drawing a turkey on the chalkboard for Thanksgiving and a 3-D Bunny on the board for Easter. Sort of like my own personal graffiti panel which was only limited by my creativity.
After we moved to the lake house and I painted the kitchen cabinets, I hung a small chalkboard on a wall to continue drawing on it for the seasons, when entertaining and for celebrations.
It was fine, but small for the ideas I wanted to create.
Chalkboard Wall Drawing Ideas
The reason I didn’t hesitate to paint a floor to ceiling chalkboard in my kitchen was I knew that painting an entire chalkboard wall would add what I felt was missing in the room… something fun and out of the ordinary.
How to Paint a Floor to Ceiling Chalkboard Wall
How to Paint a Floor to Ceiling Chalkboard WallI was feeling the need to add some character to the space as well as give myself a larger canvas to create.
It is always a work in progress as I like to change the drawing for the seasons, parties or on a whim.
After the paint was dry and I seasoned the chalkboard to prevent “ghosting”, I placed the chalk holder jars and the OPEN/CLOSED sign back on the wall to add dimension.
I could not be happier with my new large drawing canvas. I like to create new drawings for each season. I also love how the black wall looks. It adds visual interest where there was once none. It also visually separates the open concept between the kitchen and living room while taking up zero space.
How to Paint a Chalkboard Wall – Floor to Ceiling
When choosing a wall to paint a chalkboard on, check to make sure the wall surface is smooth with no rough spots.
If the wall was previously painted, look closely for any dried paint drips, paint roller edges or orange peel stippling that happens when paint is rolled on a wall with a thick nap roller. These will show up on the chalkboard painted surface.
If you find any minor imperfections, smooth the wall surface with 100 grit sandpaper before painting with chalkboard paint. If there are any holes, fill these with Spackle and then smooth.
If the wall has not been previously painted, you should apply a primer base coat first. Any brand name of primer is find. I like KILZ primers. If the paint store sells it or will mix it for you you can get grey primer. It is better to use when painting a wall a dark color.
Roll on one or two light coats and let dry. Make sure the primed surface is smooth, then proceed.
supplies needed:
- Rustoleum Chalkboard Paint in Black
- Chalk – white for seasoning. If you want to use color, after seasoning, I found Crayola Drawing Chalk has the best colors. It says the chalk is for paper, but it works fine on painted chalkboard walls.
- Painter’s tape
- Paint roller, tray and paint brush
- Use painter’s tape to tape off wall. Roll on 2 coats of black chalkboard paint, letting the first coat dry before applying the second.
How to Season or Prime a Chalkboard Wall
1. Once paint is completely dry, you need to “SEASON” or “PRIME” the chalkboard. Doing this lessens “ghosting” of the first drawing and future drawings that will permanently show up after you clean the chalkboard. It will happen, so don’t skip this step.
2. It is easy to season the chalkboard. Simply hold the side of a piece of chalk and rub it all over the chalkboard until the surface is completely covered in white chalky residue.
3. Rub the just rubbed over chalk into the surface with a soft dry cloth and then lightly dampen a piece of felt or a Handi-Wipe and rub over wall. The chalk will not all come off, but you don’t want it to.
If Ghosting Happens on Your Chalkboard Wall
Let the board look chalky for a few weeks, as you can see I did on mine. Over time and the more you draw and erase, the board surface will take on a softer overall black/grey color.
Reader TIP: Joan, a blog reader wrote to tell me that she had ghosting on her chalkboard wall, but didn’t have to repaint it. Here is what she did: She used Dawn Dish Detergent full strength and a Mr Clean Magic Eraser and gently rubbed until she got all of it out.
After it was dry, she proceeded to “season” the chalkboard wall again as usual.
Chalkboard Art Ideas
Here are a few chalkboard wall ideas for which I have drawn and posted tutorials:
Chalkboard Drawing Tips & Tricks
To learn all my chalkboard drawing tips and tricks and where to find inspiration art and free printables, head over to my post How to Draw Like an Artist on a Chalkboard that will help you create drawings and art you family will love.
How to Paint Over a Chalkboard Wall
When I want to change the chalkboard wall back to a normal painted wall, it is not hard to do.
To paint over the chalkboard paint, use 180-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the surface, then wash the area with a small amount of dish detergent and water to throughly clean the surface.
Rinse well. Once the surface is dry, apply a latex primer. You will need at least 2 light coats. Let dry and then apply the new color of paint on the wall.
Do you have any area in your house that you added something fun, out of the ordinary or unexpected?
FAQ’S About Chalkboard Walls
Are chalkboard walls still in?
Chalkboard walls were the hot trend for years. A Pinterest search for “chalkboard wall” shows results ranging from playful to practical. It’s timeless and has an old-school vibe.
The subsequent workspace can be used for recipes, shopping lists, kids art projects, or the entire family.
My chalkboard wall is in the kitchen but it could just as easily be used in playrooms or kid’s rooms. Now they won’t permission to be spontaneously creative.
Is chalkboard paint different from black paint?
Regular matte black paint is an option. But chalkboard paint dries faster than matte paint. Somewhat ironically, although it has a grittier finish to facilitate writing with chalk, it looks best on a smoother surface.
As mentioned above, if your walls have a texture, use some fine grit sandpaper to smooth and prep the entire wall before painting.
If you have any questions about painting a chalkboard wall, leave it in the comment section of this post and I will answer it.
Thanks for the great information here. We are painting a chalkboard wall at the non-profit I work for. What works best as an eraser to keep the board looking nice, and if possible, to minimize dust?
Thanks!
Karen
Hi Karen – I found the best way to wipe the chalkboard with the smallest amount of dust is using a slightly damp sponge. Wet the sponge and then wring it out, then use. It works very well. If you won’t have a water source near the board, a microfiber cloth works well placed over a standard chalk board eraser.
I did this a five years ago and added a few coats of magnet paint to it so the kids could hang their magnetic letters or artwork with a magnet. All has lasted wonderfully!
Hi Cheryl – Making the chalkboard wall magnetized doubles the fun and creativity. I bet your kids love it – their very own art gallery – much better than the fridge door.
I am using a tinted chalkboard paint so my wall is pink do you think The seasoning it will have the same effect
Hi Angela – When you season with chalk over the pink, it will have the same effect. The surface will have a white cloudy transparent layer. It will look like a chalkboard.
Do you know if it’s necessary to season a chalkboard wall if you’ll be using chalk markers?
Hi Alisa –
I don’t think seasoning a chalkboard wall would help when using chalk markers, but it should be done as it can only help. It creates a buffer layer.
Some chalk markers cannot be removed from a porous chalkboard and are only made for using on glass, metal or sealed surfaces. I would check to see on a small area of your wall if the chalk markings come off. I have used chalk markers on metal and when I wiped the drawing off, it left a shadow even on the non-porous surface that I have never been able to remove. If you want deep colors for a porous chalkboard wall, check out this chalk: https://amzn.to/3c5DuyC or this dustless chalk: https://amzn.to/2TBItAQ
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Thank you for sharing these nice idea.
Just put up the twinkle lights I ordered from the link in your previous post. They are charming!
Hi Alison – Don’t they look magical? I love the atmosphere they create.
Once again, you never cease to amaze and inspire! I only WISH I had a suitable wall, but I am considering all options- I sort of do a “WWDD” (What Would Diane Do”) when I am stumped for a good idea. I do have a framed chalk board in my kitchen that I am somewhat embarrassed to admit that I have not changed or erased since February because I was just not sure I could come up with another good design. I love it the way it is now – just a vine/wreath effect with our last name initial in the center that goes well year round. I did manage to create a Christmas one last year and since I am forever doubting my abilities and hold myself to a high standard of ‘perfection’, when I do something that pleases me I want to hold onto it forever! It was February when my husband said it’s time to take the (chalkboard) Christmas tree down and I sadly erased it and did the wreath/initial. But now that you have rekindled my interest in chalkboard art perhaps I will study up your guide and give it another try and create another masterpiece for THIS Christmas. I ma a good copy-er and embellish well once I get a spark of an idea from someone else’s talent. You are so generous for always sharing your ability to create a comfortable home and we are so grateful!
Hi Joanne – I am my own worst critic too, but always have to remind myself that I am not after perfection. I decorate my house to add things that make me or a family member smile and feel good. If I really like a drawing, before erasing, I always take a photo of it with my phone so that I can remember it and maybe someday recreate it. Enjoy creating and let your imagination do it’s thing, even if you use another’s art as inspiration, add your own touches to it to make it truly yours.
It looks GREAT.
I painted a wall in my youngest daughter’s room when she was growing up. I first painted 1/2 the wall with magnetic paint first. Same brand. Not sure if they still make it or not. . .then I painted chalkboard paint over entire wall including magnetic painted area. She was able to hang papers on top of 1/2 of that wall too. She loved that wall as well as all of her friends. Lovely chalk art and sayings were written on that wall while she was growing up. Family who purchased our family home had a daughter who assumed ownership of that room :) – she LOVED it too.
Hi Sher – I think they still sell magnetic paint. It sounds like the wall was a great success and perfect for a kids room, especially a teenager. Being able to use it as a memo board and art canvas made it truly unique and a way she could personally express herself. I would have loved a wall like this in my room growing up. Thanks for sharing. I know others will find inspiration with how you created the wall.
Hi Diane – great use of the wall and really does add texture! Questions:
1). Do you use the same steps when erasing the chalkboard when ready for new artwork? (Cover with white, wipe down, etc?)
2). How did you attach the jars to the wall.? So great to use that frame. In another setting I have one jar attached to the wall to hold some items – I used white Command strips (Velcro-type) and since the jar contents block any view of the strips the jar appears to be “floating”.
As always do enjoy your posts.
PS: Still working on re-creating your no-sew valances (have had some challenges), promise to send a pic when I finally prevail!!!
I WILL prevail…
Thanks Auntie Kaye – Here are the answers to your questions:
1. I only add a new rubdown of chalk if the wall looks uneven in color. I always use a damp rag to remove the image, let dry and then decide how the wall looks overall. If not overly grey and even, I apply another layer of chalk to season.
2. I used Command Strips to hang the framed jars. The open closed sign is hung on a nail.
Thanks for reading my posts. Looking forward to see your valances. :-)
You chose a great spot for your creative chalk board! I noticed that you have stainless steel ovens. I seem to remember a post where you painted the ovens that came with the house white. Did they not hold up? Just curious as I thought that was a neat idea! Thanks!
Hi Valerie – Good memory. Yes, I did paint the original ovens white. The paint held up perfectly. The reason we had to get a new oven was the glass cracked on one of the ovens. It was not replaceable so we had to get a new ovens. Here is a link to a post I wrote about it: https://inmyownstyle.com/10-steps-forward-2-steps-back-won.html
Hey Diane,
Thank you for the tutorial. I chalk painted the exact same spot in my kitchen a year ago. I didn’t “season” it with chalk and have wanted to repaint it. The ghosting is so annoying. If going back over with another coat of chalk paint. Would you still recommend priming first? Thanks!
Hi Amy – Before repainting the wall, another reader wrote that she was able to remove ghosting on her wall by using a Magic Eraser. It may be an easy fix. If it doesn’t work, then it can’t hurt to roll on one light coat of primer first, but I am not sure it will be needed. Roll on another coat of chalkboard paint, let it dry. Once it is dry, rub chalk all over to season it.