Scavenger Chic

DIY Parcheesi Game Board from an old Door

• By Joan
• May 11, 2023
• 3 Comments

DIY Parcheesi Game Board from an old Door

A few months ago I shared with you a backgammon gameboard I created from an old flat panel door.   From  2 reclaimed doors I created 6, 2 foot square potential gameboards.

This was the final backgammon gameboard.  It certainly doesn’t look like a door any more.

Make sure you check back on the backgammon board for how I prepped the hollow core door for painting.

Today I’m going to use another of my prepared door squares for a second gameboard.  This time we’re working on your very own, hand painted, DIY Parcheesi game.

For those of you who have never played Parcheesi, a typical Parcheesi gameboard looks like this.

I could copy the image exactly, but I want to put my own spin on the game.

My gameboard is 24″ square. I divided it into a 3×3 grid, each square being 8×8 inches.

Choose any graphic design you like for your corner artwork.  The sky is the limit.  You could even decoupage images from your favorite story or game.  I’m using quilt patterns to give a more vintage, homemade look.

This is another quilt design perfectly suited for the center square of a Parcheesi gameboard.

Divide  the center section of each gameboard side into 3 equal columns (2.66″).

Paint your Gameboard

I chose 4 distinctly different chalk paint colors to paint the center column on each side of the gameboard.

Enlarge the quilt patterns to 8″ squares.

Rub a pencil, charcoal or pastel on the back of the enlarged quilt patterns.  Tape the pattern to the gameboard and use a pen and a ruler to transfer the outline of the quilt pattern to the board.

You should be left with an image that you can  paint. 

If you can do a paint by number you can easily do this project.

Paint the squares with your desired colors.

A typical Parcheesi board has 8 rungs on each column.  Since I have 8 inch squares, 1 inch rungs work out perfectly.

I’m using a Sharpie oil based paint pen marker to create my lines.  So much easier than attempting to paint on the black lines with a brush.

Create Game Pieces

You can’t play Parcheese without game pieces. It is time to create those game pieces.  You’ll need 16 colored game discs, about an inch in diameter, painted the same colors as your gameboard, 4 of each color. These were purchased from a craft store but feel free to create your own game pieces from an old tree branch.

Finish up the Gameboard

Everything still looked a little new.  It’s time to attack your new gameboard with fine sand paper.  This just gives the diy Parcheesi gameboard a look that its been played many times.

Finish your piece with clear wax.

I framed my gameboard with vintage plaster lath strips that were sanded to a nice non-splintery finish.  Feel free to use any slats of wood you have laying around.  The lath was nailed to the sides to cover up the edges of the hollow core door.

If you’ve never played Parcheesi  or you’ve played and forgotten the rules, you can find the rules here.

Is it time to create your own DIY Parcheesi gameboard? It would also make great artwork to hang in the game room.  Just sayin’ !

Until next time, stay inspired.

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