• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Emily A. Clark

design. simplified.

  • Home
  • About Me
  • Our Home
  • Shop My Style
  • Contact

Our Kitchen: Chalkboard Paint Under the Counter

May 2, 2011

Since the space under our kitchen bar counter takes heaps of abuse, I decided to paint it with chalkboard paint.

Before:
painting under kitchen counter
After:
chalkboard paint under kitchen counter

It definitely wasn’t the easy afternoon project I had envisioned, but I really like the way it turned out.  But, for those of you considering this, here’s the good, bad and the ugly details of using chalkboard paint under your counter. . .

First off, ignore the mess on the counter.  I know you’re looking at that first, so I thought I would just go ahead and say it :)

I started by using painter’s tape to tape off the trim on both sides and the floor.

I wasn’t even going to use primer but someone told me that chalkboard paint would slide right off of that surface if I didn’t.  I actually rolled on a pretty heavy coat of Zinsser primer, and I think that was a good thing.
No turning back now. . . Primed and ready to paint:
I used some Valspar chalkboard paint that I had left over from another project:

I was planning on slopping on one coat and going about my business, but that didn’t work out.  Here’s the right side with one coat, and the left side after two coats:

Time to take off the tape and admire my work. . . Unfortunately, the two coats of paint and primer decided to come off right along with it in a few places.
I also decided how obviously stupid it looked to leave that one strip of trim unpainted and went back to work covering it up.

 

 

I found the best method for touch-ups was just to take a regular brush and “glob” in places that needed thicker paint to cover.

Two afternoons of work later. . . .
chalkboard paint in kitchen

So, here’s my take on this project.  I like the way it looks and the texture it brings into our semi-uninteresting kitchen.  Some of you had mentioned earlier that you wouldn’t want all of the chalk dust that would come along with it.  Honestly?  I would welcome chalk dust anyday over some of the other nasty stuff I find on our floor (day-old nuggets, chewed-up grapes, smashed cheese. . . the list goes on).  Dust is least of my worries.

And, what do the kids think?  They thought it was novel for the first week or so, and as with most playthings, are pretty much over it now.  I’m still glad I did it, even if it’s just for the way it looks.

painting under kitchen bar counter

 

You Might Also Like

  • Styling Our Bedroom DresserStyling Our Bedroom Dresser
  • Your Neighborhood ProduceYour Neighborhood Produce
  • Dissecting The Details: An All-American Country CottageDissecting The Details: An All-American Country Cottage
FacebookTweetPin

Filed Under: chalkboard, DIY, kitchens

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. [email protected] Lime in the Coconut says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Very cute…Love the pic of all of them creating their art!!

    Reply
  2. Andrea says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:22 am

    I think it looks great. Gave you kitchen some personality!

    Reply
  3. Jade @ Flip Flops + Pearls Design says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:32 am

    Definitely adds to the space! I agree…what is a little chalk dust when there is more questionable stuff that hits those floors!

    Have a great Monday!

    Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:49 am

    What a cool idea! And I’m sure the kids love it! That could probably keep my kids busy for hours (well, minutes at least). :)
    Jen
    Scissors & Spatulas

    Reply
  5. Mr. Goodwill Hunting says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:50 am

    What a great idea…especially for the little ones.

    Rashon aka Mr. Goodwill Hunting

    Reply
  6. Shelley says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:50 am

    Love how it turned out! Adds so much interest :D

    Reply
  7. SHERRY HART says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    I like it Emily…it is just another element of layering…..

    Reply
  8. [email protected] says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:30 pm

    The black really makes the white dishes on the opposite side of the room pop.

    When I had my dining room painted black the painter said it was best to let the first coat dry for 24 hours to avoid peeling. That’s what we did, not sure if that applies to chalkboard paint but I thought it was worth mentioning.

    Reply
  9. jillian :: cornflake dreams. says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    how fun! it looks great and your kids are going to love it :) xoxo jillian:: cornflake dreams

    Reply
  10. Tiffany says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:44 pm

    Love it! It adds so much character to the space. Glad that the kiddos liked it!

    Reply
  11. Emily says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:54 pm

    I love it! And it looks like the kids do, too! :-)

    Emily Hewett
    A Well Dressed Home
    awelldressedhome.com/blog

    Reply
  12. Janell @ Isabella and Max says

    May 2, 2011 at 12:58 pm

    Love the eat your vegetables! Is it helping?! Looks really great! Janell

    Reply
  13. Dianne says

    May 2, 2011 at 1:15 pm

    very cute! i think that I’m going to be painting my under-bar wall too!

    Reply
  14. GLENDA CHILDERS says

    May 2, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    I read that you can buy dustless chalk.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Reply
  15. Amanda says

    May 2, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    love it! and I bet the kids love it even more! makes me wish I had an island w/ stools so I could do that!

    Reply
  16. Jessie says

    May 2, 2011 at 2:38 pm

    The painted space looks great. I love the picture with the kids scribbling on the chalkboard area.

    Jessie
    http://www.mixandchic.com

    Reply
  17. Kristin and Chris says

    May 2, 2011 at 3:52 pm

    It looks great!! And, I had the same issue with Frog Tape this weekend too… the paint peeled off my freshly-painted front door. Boo!

    Reply
  18. Jenna Lee says

    May 2, 2011 at 4:13 pm

    I love blackboard paint! i need to get some NOW! The before and after are so cool. Thanks for sharing!

    http://jennaleelac.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  19. Megan {Honey We're Home} says

    May 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    I think doing the chalkboard wall there was a great idea! I’m so identifying with you about the food on the floor- we have smashed bananas, grapes, pancakes- you name it. I bought a splat mat for under the highchair but I’m forever finding food on the floor. And we only have one kid!

    Reply
  20. April @ A kitchen table for two says

    May 2, 2011 at 4:23 pm

    It looks wonderful! I’m glad you posted this… I’m doing this to my pantry doors in just a few weeks. Thanks for the tips! =)

    Reply
  21. Ashley Falkenburg says

    May 2, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

    http://www.ashleyfalkenburginteriors.blogspot.com

    Reply
  22. [email protected] says

    May 2, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    The simplest projects are never simple are they? It looks great even if the kids have already moved on.

    Reply
  23. H.G. The Countess says

    May 2, 2011 at 5:30 pm

    I think it looks great, and worth it if even just for the design. Have you heard of idea paint? Similar concept but it’s like a white board rather than a chalk board, so no dust. All the rage in NYC right now :)

    Reply
  24. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    May 2, 2011 at 5:45 pm

    I think it looks really great against your light colored tile. I’ll bet if you had the primer tinted it wouldn’t have taken as many coats. The chalkboard in my kitchen is pretty much the same for my kids – old news. However, my son likes to do his spelling pre-test on the chalkboard so it’s still useful :)

    Reply
  25. Almost Always says

    May 2, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    it turned out great!
    my daughter has a large dry erase board in our den..she takes to drawing on it in spells…but one thing she loves to do is to draw a picture or “announcement” for every holiday or event…”Happy Easter”…has quickly been replaced with “Happy Mother’s Day!!”…maybe get the kids some colored chalk to spice it up a bit??! :)…we play hangman a lot on our board too!
    xo

    Reply
  26. Brittany says

    May 2, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    I still love it! What a fun idea. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  27. Caroline Simas says

    May 2, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    Love the chalkboard wall…as you may know, we did one too the hallway coat rack area that leads from the kitchen to my art studio and then onto the back patio. It’s a high traffic area and gets a lot of use. Grocery wish list, scripture for the week, messages and love notes and art by the kids. Such fun…messy but fun!
    Here’s a link to our chalkboard wall http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6106592473454802238&postID=2414247470388310258 and again here for sight word practice. http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=6106592473454802238&postID=1957073207166870280

    Reply
  28. modern jane says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    What a great idea! I love this!:)

    Reply
  29. modern jane says

    May 2, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    What a great idea Emily! I bet the kids are loving it:)

    Reply
  30. inspirationfordecor says

    May 3, 2011 at 12:13 am

    I love the look! It really grounds the space and I’m sure your kids LOVE it. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  31. Michaela says

    May 3, 2011 at 12:18 am

    Such a great idea! I love it. Since it’s banged up down there anyways, what a great way to cover it! (:

    Reply
  32. Tamra of walkswithBella says

    May 3, 2011 at 1:57 am

    Genius!!! Such a fabulous idea!!

    Reply
  33. natasha {schue love} says

    May 3, 2011 at 5:43 am

    What a fun idea! So whimsical for the kiddos!

    Reply
  34. Mage says

    May 3, 2011 at 7:01 am

    Wow, that amazingly gorgeous I’m loving the idea of a that new look! The kitchen seemed a little livelier with even in black. Wonderful! buy aion accounts

    Reply
  35. designchic says

    May 3, 2011 at 1:00 pm

    What a great idea…looks wonderful and a hit with the kid…double bonus!!

    Reply
  36. kcinteriors says

    May 3, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    It looks great! I love your honesty with the work that went into the project.

    Reply
  37. kcinteriors says

    May 3, 2011 at 4:53 pm

    It looks great! I love your honesty with the work that went into the project.

    Reply
  38. Nikki says

    May 3, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Hi! Just a quick note about the chalk… you can buy “dustless” chalk if the regular stuff is too messy. I love the chalk board under there – it looks great! Especially love the vegy message…

    Reply
  39. Cove and Grey says

    May 4, 2011 at 6:23 am

    It looks so great!!! It looks like the kids loved it too :)

    Reply
  40. Allison Egan says

    May 4, 2011 at 8:18 am

    Amazing idea!!!! So fun for kids or to write menus! Thanks so much for the step by step tips!!!!
    xo Allison

    Spicer + Bank – http://www.spicerandbank.blogspot.com

    Reply
  41. Michelle @ Ten June says

    May 5, 2011 at 4:10 pm

    Fabulous spot for chalkboard paint! I really love it.

    Reply
  42. Lara says

    May 21, 2011 at 3:55 pm

    I love the chalkboard paint! I also love the plates on your wall. Do you have any suggestions on decorating with plates?

    Reply
  43. Elizabeth says

    May 25, 2011 at 8:20 pm

    You can purchase dustless chalk!

    Reply
  44. Our New Casa says

    September 2, 2011 at 4:59 am

    I love it!!! Thanks for sharing.
    It really adds a nice, personal touch to the space.
    Ana, http://www.ournewcasa.com

    Reply
  45. jroxdesigns says

    August 29, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    I absolutely LOVE your chalkboard space! I think it is great that you put it in a space that the kids can enjoy. I featured you today on my blog as the inspiration behind my new kitchen chalkboard wall. I would love for you to stop by sometime!

    http://jroxdesigns.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/bringing-chalkboards-out-of-the-classroom-and-into-the-home-inspiration-wednesday/

    – Amber @ jRoxDesigns

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe + Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
Loading

Archives

Categories

Footer Widget Header

As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Footer

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2023 · LBD Pro V on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Copyright © 2023 · Emily A. Clark · Blog Design by Little Blue Deer
Privacy Policy