Chalkboards used to be associated with schools with offices but lately things changed and now see see them as chic and playful accessories for our homes. A framed chalkboard can turn out to be the missing accessory in a living room with a casual and fun interior design or in a kid’s room. Chalkboard walls have become very popular as well, especially in kitchens. But if you want more flexibility, a chalkboard frame can be exactly what you need. It will also provide you with a way to customize this accent piece, to give it some color and to establish a style for it.

The frame can come from an old painting or you could even make it yourself out of some scrap wood. Another possibility is to build it using casing mouldings as suggested on Lezoemusings. Spray paint the frame gold to give it an elegant and refined look. This project also shows you how to use fiberboard to make the actual chalkboard.

Instead of putting together a frame and a chalkboard, another option is to use an old cabinet door. Its transformation would be very simple. You’ll just have to paint the center portion using chalkboard paint. Paint the frame a different color or leave it as it is. Of course, this only works with certain types of door cabinets. Have a look at the description provided on Refreshliving for more details.

A different possibility is to turn a mirror into a chalkboard. Such a transformation is described on Twelveonmain. Here you’ll also find out how to create homemade chalkboard paint using a cup of latex paint, 1/3 cup of plaster of Paris and 3 tbsp of water. If your mirror if already framed you should first clean and paint the frame white or another colors and then the mirror.

A picture frame could work if it’s large enough for what you have in mind. Let’s say you want to make a chalkboard sign for a party or some other occasion. Take the old frame, a MDF board, some chalkboard paint, a mini paint roller with a tray and a drill and get to work. You can find detailed instructions on Thesweetscape together with a suggestion for decorating this thing with string lights.

As we’ve already mentioned, the type of frame you choose to use for the project will help determine the style and the look. For example, a vintage frame with intricately carved details and patterns on it will definitely look elegant. You can paint it to give it a more modern appearance or you can give it a distressed finish to emphasize its vintage charm. {found on burlapandblue}.

Similarly, the shape of the frame also has a big impact on the final result. Check out this gorgeous frame featured on Hobnailhouse. It’s definitely very stylish and elegant. You could try to find something similar by looking for old mirrors. After applying chalkboard paint to the back board, you can start decorating your new framed chalkboard with some fabric flowers and other things.

A great thing about chalkboards is that they let you express your creativity time and time again. But what if you want to preserve your drawing? Well, then you should check out Littleredwindow. Here you can find out how to preserve and protect your chalk drawings using workable fixative, matte spray Mod Podge or hairspray.

Once you decide on a design idea for your framed chalkboard, you’ll be able to enjoy it for a long time before it starts to look old and ugly. When that time comes you’ll have to give it a makeover. You can do that with some scrapbook paper and glue or mod podge plus some acrylic craft paint. The project is described on Littleredwindow.

The frame around your chalkboard can be the thing that turns it into a sign which you can use in a lot of great ways. It could even be an interesting decoration for a wedding. Paint the frame to make it match the rest of the decor and then find the right message to write on the chalkboard. On Plasteranddisaster you can see how you can use it as a seating sign.

A distressed wood chalkboard has the potential to look beautiful in a lot of different settings and interiors. If you want to make one from scratch have a look at the project described on Hawthorneandmain. It all starts with a piece of MDF covered with several layers of chalkboard paint. Then wood boards have to be cut to size and secured to the board in order to create the frame. To get the distressed look you can hit the boards with a sledge hammer.

After you’re done building the frame and painting your chalkboard you can take a step back and enjoy your creation. However, your work is not over yet. You still have to write something on the chalkboard and we all know that’s not as simple as it seems. So a little help is welcomed. Findingsilverpennies suggests using a printed stencil. Print out the desired message on a piece of paper and rub white chalk all over its back. Flip it over and place it on the chalkboard. Trace the writing with a ball point pen. Lift the paper and fill in the letters with chalk.

You can use a lot of interesting printables if you want to dress up your chalkboard for Christmas or any other occasion. It can be a message, a drawing or a silhouette. You can find a few interesting suggestions together with instructions on how to obtain the desired look on Pastelsandmacarons.

Another Christmas printable idea can also be found Oneleganceandenchantment. After you print out the design on paper you need to cover the back with chalk. Then tape the design to the chalkboard and trace over it with a pencil or a pen. Lift the paper and trace over the whole design using a chalkboard marker.

As fun and practical as chalkboards may be they all have a downside. All the dust that gathers under the chalkboard is annoying in a lot of ways. So if you want to get rid of it, have a look at the dust-free chalkboard featured on Hawthorneandmain. To make a similar one, take a board, mat or anything similar and apply chalk board spray paint on it. Then take some chalk and rub it all over. Put the chalkboard in a picture frame along with the glass. You’ll be able to write on the glass with markers.

The chalkboard part can merely be a small portion of a more complex design. If you need some inspiration you can check out the idea on Delineateyourdwelling. The supplies needed for this particular project include some burlap canvas, assorted ribbons, a gold paint pen, chalk and scissors. Glue the ribbons to the burlap canvas to create a pattern. Then apply chalkboard paint to a piece of cardboard and cut it into an oval shape. Add some gold trim and then draw something on it with chalk.

A really cool idea can be found on Cottage4c. Basically the project described here shows you how to cover your refrigerator doors with framed chalkboards. To make that happen you’ll need a plywood panel. Attach a bunch of strong magnets to the back and see if it sticks to the fridge. Then apply chalkboard paint on the front. You can either frame it or leave it as it is.

The project on Diydesignfanatic shows you how to make a framed chalkboard from an old mirror. We’ve actually already discussed this idea so let’s review it really quick. It starts with a framed mirror. If the frame already looks good, just tape the inner edges and apply a few coats of chalkboard paint to the mirror. Make sure you clean it first.

There are plenty of uses for a framed chalkboard. For example, you can use it as a menu board in the kitchen or the dining room. If you have a bar you can use it there to keep track or everything you have. The chalkboard can also be useful if you want to write down grocery lists or recipes. {found on dearlillieblog}.

You could also display a framed chalkboard in the entryway. Turn it into a wall decoration on which to write a nice welcoming message or to draw something beautiful that represents you and your family. You could attach hooks to the bottom of the frame to maximize its usefulness. {found on homeisright}.

A framed chalkboard can also be an interesting wall decoration for the living room. You can use it to create a casual ambiance in the room, personalizing it in a lot of fun ways depending on the occasion or the mood you’re trying to create. You can even let your guests add their own touch to the design. Perhaps they can leave a message. In this case, the guest room could also be a great location for such a feature.{found onoverthebigmoon}.