Scavenger Chic

Upcycled Door, Menu Chalkboard DIY

• By Joan
• April 27, 2022
• No Comments

Upcycled Door , Menu Chalkboard DIY

Today I bring you a chalkboard made from a salvaged vintage door.  And I can honestly say that is not the direction this project was going when I began working on it this morning.

This door was about to become a small coffee table.

I cut off the smaller section of the door and while I was still needing a few strips of wood for the coffee table , I cut off the side pieces of the larger section of the door.

What I was left with was this nicely framed piece of wood/door.  A perfect size for a chalkboard!

I left my coffee table project, it had a little glue drying anyway, and switched to a DIY chalkboard.

If you’ve never made a chalkboard, it’s so easy.  Just grab a jar of chalkboard paint and begin to paint.

 It helps to start with  a smooth surface and I would recommend at least 2 coats.

I painted the frame with gray, olive green and  teal blue chalk paint mixed with a little antiquing wax. My camera picked up none of those colors,

Finished with a white wax, painted on and the excess rubbed off.

You’re going to have to trust me, you can see the layers of chalk paint and wax in person.  It may have helped not to do my painting on such a sunny day.

If you’re going to make a menu board and you don’t trust your own hand lettering skills head to the internet for lots of chalkboard font ideas.  I’ve included a few here.

I chose the second image and inverted the colors so that it would take less ink to print out.

Print out your image, coat the back with a light colored pastel or chalk and tape in place.  I actually prefer the pastel, a little less dust and it seems to transfer better.

Trace over the lettering with a pen.

Your image should have transferred to the chalkboard.

I used paint and a fine paintbrush to fill in the lettering but you could also use chalk or a chalk pen depending how permanent you want your lettering.

Ready to record your menu of the day or for the week.

Leave the “menu” off and use your upcycled door chalkboard in the kids room.

Hang your chalkboard in the kitchen so you never hear that “What’s for dinner?” question again. 😀 

How about using a chalkboard for sports or after school schedules!

BTW, you can find the DIY for the built in cabinet here.

I’m still working on that upcycled door coffee table but you’ll just have to wait another week for that one.

Until next time, stay inspired.

Related posts:

Upcycled Washtubs and an Old Door Upcycled Vintage Door Coffee Table DIY Backgammon Board with a Recycled Door DIY Parcheesi Game Board from an old Door