When Lyzz sent in her clever DIY chalkboard door project, we were excited to share it. Here’s what she wrote:
I discovered your blog about six months ago and have been hooked ever since. I read it every day and always find fresh inspiration. We decided to tackle a before-and-after project. Chalkboard paint looks great in many homes, but most California walls are textured, so painting a wall wasn’t an option for us. Instead, we turned the door between our house and garage into a large chalkboard canvas. We added a chalkboard calendar by carefully measuring the calendar grid ahead of time. Since blue painter’s tape is fairly wide, my car-enthusiast husband suggested using 1/8-inch vehicle pinstripe tape, which worked perfectly. After two coats of paint and a few hours of work, we had a functional message board that fits our busy household. The best part is the cost — the project ran about the same as a modest store-bought message board, roughly $14 for chalkboard paint and pinstripe tape. Keep up the great work on your blog! – Lyzz
This transformation is brilliant. The graphic, well-defined calendar boxes make planning simple, while the additional chalk space above and below is perfect for notes, reminders, and shopping lists. It’s a practical, inexpensive solution that adds personality and functionality to an otherwise ordinary door. Kudos to Lyzz for the thoughtful measuring and the clever use of pinstripe tape to create clean grid lines.
If you’re considering a similar project, here are a few concise tips based on this build: measure carefully before marking the grid; use thin pinstripe tape for crisp lines; apply at least two even coats of chalkboard paint; and allow adequate drying time between coats. These steps help achieve a durable, smooth finish suitable for everyday writing and erasing.
We love seeing readers’ creative projects—this chalkboard door is a great example of how small, inexpensive changes can make a big difference in home organization and style. We’ll be on the lookout for more clever DIYs to inspire our own chalkboard ideas.