Chalkboard paint has been a trendy item for a few years now. Many home improvement shows, blogs, and magazines have featured it at one point or another, and with a few companies producing this paint it’s very accessible to the average consumer. Chalkboard paint is both fun and functional and can be used anywhere in a home. However, it’s most often found in only black and green. A few products in other colors are available but have only recently been easier to find and are often in far fewer colors.
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There’s a solution, though! Mixing a bit of non-sanded grout into latex paint will give you a chalk-friendly surface in any color you want. Acrylic paints should work, too, but avoid oil-based paints – they won’t create the right surface texture.
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The best ratio to use varies depending on who you ask, but 2 tablespoons grout per cup of paint seems like a good place to start. You can always add more grout, but don’t mix it up so thick you can’t paint with it and be sure to thoroughly mix in the grout without lumps.
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As for how to use chalkboard paint? Here are just a few ideas:
- Message board from framed plywood or a painted canvas
- Trays – especially great for parties because you can label what’s being served
- Inside of a pantry or kitchen cabinet door – perfect for grocery lists or keeping track of all those hard-to-see cans and jars
- Mini signs for placecards or an appetizer table
- Paint an entire refrigerator
- Kids’ rooms or playrooms can use a little chalkboard paint right on the wall
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Since you know how to make any paint into chalkboard paint, you don’t have to worry about the chalkboard fading into the background (unless you want it to)!
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Non-sanded grout can be purchased at your local tile or hardware store, or if you or someone you know recently remodeled, you might be able to snag just a little bit from them. It’s best to use regular chalk on these surfaces; chalk pens may not erase properly. Make sure you “prime” the surface after painting but before using it by completely covering it with chalk then wiping off with a dry towel.