wall chalkboard

Chalkboards are popping up everywhere (like Brittany’s DIY chalkboard calendar from last week) and you can easily make one, but how about upping the usefulness by making a chalkboard WITH a chalk ledge?  Jaime here from That’s My Letter to show you how easy it is to add a chalk ledge to your chalkboard.

chalkboard with ledge

You definitely need a place to put all that chalk (or chalk markers like we prefer).  This chalk ledge protudes a minimal  1 3/4″ from the wall but still has space enough to hold lots of chalk.

chalkboard with ledge 5

I also attached a galvanized pail for more chalk markers.

chalkboard with ledge 1

wall chalkboard 1

I installed this chalkboard near our back door mudroom area.  Unfortunately the key pad for our alarm system is nearly smack in the middle of that wall.  I simply cut out a square in my plywood using a jig saw to accommodate the key pad.  My kids love their new chalkboard and somehow the key pad isn’t quite so obvious once they start drawing around it.

chalkboard with ledge 2

Supplies:

  • 1/2″ plywood (cut to desired size)
  • 1×2 pine board (cut to length of plywood)
  • 1 3/8″ x 1/4″ thick flat trim moulding (cut to length of plywood)
  • black chalkboard paint
  • blue painters tape
  • stain
  • polyurethane
  • foam brushes
  • drill
  • Kreg pocket hole jig (not necessary but definitely easier if you have one)
  • 1″ pocket hole screws
  • wood glue
  • 3/4″ trim nails
  • countersink bit
  • 2 1/2″ toggle bolts
  • 5/8″ spade bit (check toggle bolt requirements)
  • pencil
  • level

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut your plywood to size, using your Kreg pocket hole jig make pocket holes every 8″ along bottom edge of plywood (on back side). (I used the portable base with automaxx clamp here, much easier that slipping a large piece of plywood into the jig.)

chalkboard with ledge pocket holes

Step 2: Paint plywood two coats of black chalkboard paint.

chalkboard with ledge base attached

Step 3: Attach 1×2 board to bottom edge of plywood using pocket holes and glue.  You could also predrill and screw from the bottom of the pine board up into the plywood, be careful if using 1/2″ plywood and use minimum 1 1/2″ screws.

Step 4: Apply glue to front edge of 1×2 and use finish nails to attach flat trim moulding piece.

chalkboard with ledge stain

Step 5:  Protect the black chalkboard by applying blue painters tape.  Apply stain with a foam brush.  Let dry then apply polyurethane.

chalkboard with ledge predrill

 

Step 6: Predrill countersunk holes into 4 corners of chalkboard.

Step 7: Hold chalkboard in place on wall using a level.  Mark the wall with a pencil through the pre-drilled holes.

chalkboard with ledge wall hole

Step 8:  Using a spade bit (check toggle bolt package instructions for proper size bit), make a hole at each pencil mark.

chalkboard with ledge toggle

Step 9: Prepare toggle bolts onto chalkboard, you need to prepare all 4 bolts before attaching board to wall.

Below is a good diagram which explains how a toggle bolt works, basically squeezing the chalkboard to the sheetrock using the wings.  In my case the mounting plate would be the chalkboard:

 

Toggle_Bolt_300_piximage source

chalkboard with ledge bolt

Step 10: Insert the toggle into the hole by squeezing the wings together.  You will need a partner to help insert all 4 toggles before screwing the bolts tight.  Once all 4 toggles are into the holes use your drill to screw bolt tight, you will feel the toggle open and then eventually tighten onto the back of the sheetrock.

chalkboard with ledge 3

Step 11: Add a dab of chalkboard paint onto screw heads to make them less obvious.  Finally add a screw eye hook to the underside of the 1×2 board for the bucket if desired.

chalkboard with ledge 4

Now start looking for a blank wall in your home and build this chalkboard with a chalk ledge.  It’s guaranteed entertainment for kids of all ages.

Jaime signature~Learn more about Jaime~

 

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How to easily add a chalk ledge to your chalkboard | Pretty Handy Girl

8 replies
  1. Diana Kremenliff
    Diana Kremenliff says:

    Love the idea of chalk markers instead of regular chalk, but where in the heck did you find chalk markers for an actual chalkboard? The ones I find say they aren’t meant for chalkboards. Appreciate your insight. Thanks.

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] wall chalkboard with chalk ledge I’m over at Pretty Handy Girl today sharing how to build a chalkboard with a chalk ledge. Because what’s a wall chalkboard if […]

  2. […] to say I hadn’t seen a black board in ages and the other day I just so happened to come across a chalk board blog post by Brittany over at […]

  3. […] to say I hadn’t seen a black board in ages and the other day I just so happened to come across a chalk board blog post by Brittany over at […]

  4. […] to say I hadn’t seen a black board in ages and the other day I just so happened to come across a chalk board blog post by Brittany over at […]

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