My husband and I recently moved from a home we owned to a home we rent. While I love the fact that we can call someone when the toilet overflows I don't love that the changes we can make on the home can't be permanent. Our kitchen aches for a backsplash and I've decided chalkboard is the perfect solution: practical and beautiful, chalkboard paint makes the space under your cabinets a useful area for grocery lists, recipes and love notes.
TOP ROW
1 The versatility of chalkboard paint lets you do anything from writing notes to making a formal pattern, from Design Sponge.
2 I love the way the chalkboard complements the dark lower cabinetry in this kitchen, from Cool Springer.
3 This kitchen embraces the funny messiness that chalkboard paint is bound to bring, from Design Sponge.
4 Not ready for chalkboard paint everywhere? Try it only over your stove, from Kitchen Clarity.
5 If only my handwriting were this lovely, I'd paint my entire house in chalkboard paint, from Paint It.
BOTTOM ROW
6 I love the way the walls create a record of activity within this kitchen over time, from Taza and Husband.
(Images: as linked above)
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LOVE!!!
what a great idea
I did this in my kitchen after months of not being able to decide on tile. It's an inexpensive solution that I love, but having lived with it for awhile now, oil (from washing dishes) has made it's way to a few spots and soaks into the chalkboard, changing the color. I'm hoping to correct it by "seasoning"- adding more chalk and then wiping away (as the paint recommends before first use). Just something to consider!
How is this perfect for renters? Don't get me wrong, I love the look and as a renter would love to do it, but I'm not sure my landlord would be that keen on me painting chalkboard everywhere...
Pretty sure it's perfect for renters because it's paint. Most landlords will let you do what you want with paint.
Heidi: is that sarcasm? I've lived in the same rental for 6 years and I've never been allowed to paint jack. However, if there were a chalkboard decal, i'd be all over it.
No - my landlord will let me paint anything as long as I approve it in advance. We've also gotten to the point now that he trustsmy design choices so I pretty much have free reign. If you do it well it basically improves the property value so it's a win win.
In my old studio, I had a wall that the previous tenant had painted this awful, pale lavender. I painted it with chalkboard paint and my landlord loved it. When she would show the apartment she would always mention it. But in my new apartment the wall in the kitchen is textured so I don't think it would work out :(
Terra O (I hope you see this!), did the seasoning with chalk work on your oil stains? I have a stove right next to a wall but I'm reluctant to tile because of how it might make the rest of the wall look. I love the idea of a chalkboard paint backsplash for that section, but I'm worried about the oil too. How did it work out for you?
In my last apartment, I wasn't allowed to paint so I ordered chalkboard contact paper. It looked like it was painted but came off so easily. After two years and covering an area of 6' by 6' it only took off a dime size piece of paint in one spot. Landlord happy and I was happy.
i feel like it would be difficult to write anything in that area, because you'd have to bend over and your arm would be way out. Grease and soap and crap would get on there, making it look like crap after a while, because that chalkboard paint is not the easiest thing to wash.
I hate chalk dust. But if you don't mind it, it's a good idea.
I thought the same thing. It's one of those ideas that on the surface seems neat, but I would not want chalk dust near my food prep or cooking areas.
You could always use chalk markers, they look amazing, aren't dusty, and come in amazing colors, though they are a little pricey. I think I'd go with the contact paper so you could change out spotted sections.
You could take a piece of plywood the size of your back splash and paint it with the chalk board paint. Attach it to the original back splash with something that is easy to remove. Maybe the stuff you use to make your pictures stay in one place ,quake secure putty. It is also easy to remove when you want to.
This is a great idea! I love the ability to change things out easily - renting or not, everyone needs a change!
But the best solution would be chalkboard contact paper- so much more simple and easy to remove! My personal favorite is Wall Doctor
beadboard contact paper- gorgeous!
http://www.grahambrown.com/us/product/18698/Beadboard%3A+Nonwoven+Paintable+Wallpaper
Hannah McCoy
Hannahmccoyinteriors.com
@KimberlyM Nouvelle Images makes a few "Homestickers" with chalkboards as decals. Here's a tea pot with "steam": http://www.amazon.com/Homestickers-Chalkboard-Teapots-and-Steam/dp/B004SIZPCI/ref=sr_1_82?ie=UTF8&m=A2WSPHWQ8PQQS4&s=generic&qid=1318563508&sr=1-82
Hobby Lobby stores carry a sticky backed chalkboard type of material which we used and we love the look. Great for renters who want to change the look but can easily remove when leaving.
Am I the only person who has a weird thing where they can't stand to touch chalk? I could never have blackboard paint in my house because the thought of touching chalk gives me the heebie-jeebies.
repressd I also hate chalk and chalk dust. But strangely I love the idea of a blackboard in my house. My compromise is that I am painting a small overhead beam and its support with the paint. I'm using magnetic paint too. *love*
I DIY'd a magnetic chalkboard wall in my kitchen a couple of years ago. I started with a textured wall, sanded it down as much as I could, painted on a layer of concrete acrylic fortifier, smoothed the wall with joint compound (the fortifier helps to keep this stuff on, apparently), primed with magnetic primer and then two layers of chalkboard paint. I use a wet cloth to erase (which minimizes dust) and then use the wet cloth to wipe up any escapee dust. Love it and it looks great at the end of my galley kitchen.
I used a couple of plastic place mats from Target as a back splash in my last apartment. It really did the job: it was pretty (and removable) and I could easily wipe up stains. Win-win.
I think this is brilliant. Backsplash areas are usually small enough that you might even be able to convince a landlord to let you do it. In our case, we went for it and did a giant wall for the kids, and in the kitchen just used chalkboard decals on the refrigerator.
http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/inspiration/a-creative-corner-corner-blog-156428
The black/gray of these backsplashes looks fantastic. I do think that the old "school" green chalkboard color would work well in some of these kitchens as well. I sometimes regret not using that color for our giant wall, would've been lovely!
Tiffanie
http://bloggingcornerblog.blogspot.com/
I LOVE blackboard paint, but I DISLIKE chalk!
Instead of chalk, I like to use water-soluble pastels. They work more like a crayon than an oil pastel so there is no dust and they will not smear, but because they aren't wax based you can wipe them off with a wet cloth (and a little elbow grease)! The colours are also much more vibrant than chalk. I use a brand called Caran d'Ache which you can find in art supply stores.
Surprisingly, they also make great face/body paints too - dip them in water and they glide onto skin smoothly. Halloween anyone?