Easy DIY Magnetic Chalkboard – How to Make Under $12
Learn how to make an easy DIY Magnetic Chalkboard in under $12 with this detailed tutorial. It makes a great addition to any office or playroom!
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A DIY Magnetic chalkboard provides hours of fun for any space.
Especially a playroom. And that is exactly what we needed on the one blank wall!
Online research yielded – the use of magnetic sheet metal coupled with pre-existing frames like this and this, or added simple frames around it like this or this.
I needed a large one to fit the wall so I decided to build my own frame.
Plus, it needed to be super sturdy to be able to stand up to the test of my rough 2-year-old boy!
Best of all – it took only about half an hour of active work and the cost was only $12 for the sheet metal and furring strips!
Now that is an amazing deal for the hours of fun!
RELATED: Check out this version I made for the kitchen!
DIY Magnetic Chalkboard Using Sheet Metal
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Materials for the DIY Magnetic Chalkboard
- 2 – 1″x 2″ x 8′ common board. I used furring strips.
- 2′ x 3′ galvanized sheet metal – I got mine at home depot
- Spray Primer
- Chalkboard paint. – I used the brush-on version, you can also use the spray can.
- kreg jig ( See my full guide on how to use a Kreg jig)
- 1 1/4″ Pocket hole screws
- D-ring hangers and/or command strips to hang to the wall. I use these Monkey hooks in the wall to hang stuff.
Cut List –
- 2@25.5″ – short sides
- 2@34.5 ” – long sides
- 1 @ 20″ – shelf
How to make a magnetic chalkboard
Step 1 – Prep the sheet metal
- Start by roughing up the sheet metal with a ball of steel wool. This gives the primer and paint something to grip to. You don’t need a lot of “sanding”. Just a light rough up will do.
- Apply a couple of coats of primer. I like to use the Zinsser primer.
Step 2 – Apply Chalkboard Paint
Paint the sheet metal with chalkboard paint using a roller.
I needed about 3 coats of paint to get even coverage.
You can also use chalkboard spray paint if you like.
Step 3 – Prep the lumber
Cut the furring strips and make the pocket holes using the Kreg Jig on both ends of the long sides.
Step 4 – Build bottom lip
On the bottom strip, attach the 20″ shelf using wood glue and finish nails or countersink screws from the back.
Step 5 – Build the frame
Build the frame using 1-1/4″ pocket hole screws and wood glue. Make sure everything is square.
Be sure to have the pocket holes on the back of the frame!
Stain or paint the frame. I used Minwax tintable stain in “Spice” that I had from a previous project.
Step 6 – Attach the metal sheet
Use liquid nails to glue the frame and the magnetic chalkboard together.
I put some of my bazillion books to good use.
24 hours later we have the fun magnetic chalkboard ready!
Step 7 – Mount it on the wall.
I used d-rings, picture wire on the chalkboard and monkey hooks on the wall.
I added some heavy-duty command strips to the bottom so the kids don’t pull it forward.
That is it!
This magnetic chalkboard has been the center of so much fun for the kids and playdates in the last couple of weeks that it has been on the wall!
If you build it, I would love to see it! Feel free to email photos to me at anika@anikasdiylife.com or tag me on Instagram @anikasdiylife for a chance to be featured on social media! I can’t wait to see what you build!
More Like DIY Magnetic Chalkboard
Easy DIY Magnetic Chalkboard - How to Make Under $12
Learn how to make an easy DIY Magnetic Chalkboard in under $12 with this detailed tutorial. It makes a great addition to any office or playroom!
Materials
- 2 - 1"x 2" x 8' common board. I used furring strips.
- 2' x 3' galvanized sheet metal
- Spray Primer
- Chalkboard paint
- 1 1/4" Pocket hole screws
- D-ring hangers
- command strips
- Monkey hooks
Instructions
- Start by roughing up the sheet metal with a ball of steel wool. This gives the primer and paint something to grip to. You don't need a lot of "sanding". Just a light rough up will do.
- Apply a couple of coats of primer. I like to use the Zinsser primer.
- Paint the sheet metal with chalkboard paint using a roller. It took 3 coats. You can use a spray chalkboard paint if you prefer.
- Cut the furring strips and make the pocket holes using the Kreg Jig on both ends of the long sides.
- On the bottom strip, attach the 20" shelf using wood glue and finish nails or countersink screws from the back.
- Build the frame using 1-1/4" pocket hole screws and wood glue. Make sure everything is square. Be sure to have the pocket holes on the back of the frame!
- Stain or paint the frame.
- Use liquid nails to glue the frame and the magnetic chalkboard together. Allow to set for 24 hours.
- Mount to the wall using d-rings, picture wire on the chalkboard and monkey hooks on the wall.
- I added some heavy-duty command strips to the bottom so the kids don't pull it forward.
- That's it!
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
It looks like your child is enjoying your project to no end! Great job Mom!! I like how you made sure it was magnetic as well as a chalkboard.
that turned out great!! I can see it will get a lot of use and love 🙂 Thank you for linking up with us at TaDa Thursday!!