Beginner Friendly Chalk Paint Projects and Ideas You Can Do + Step by Step Tips

If you’ve ever felt intimidated by painting furniture or home decor, you’re not alone! Chalk paint is one of the easiest DIY paint techniques for beginners. In this guide, I’m sharing simple chalk paint projects and ideas anyone can do, plus step-by-step tips to help you succeed.

With chalk paint, you can transform tired furniture, thrift store finds, and everyday objects into beautiful pieces with minimal prep.

I am by no means an expert when it comes to chalk paint, but the good news is that you don’t have to be. The first time I tried it, I was hooked on this easy way to transform objects.

Chalk Paint Testimony

Years ago, I saw one of my “expert” chalk paint friends (Tina) paint so many projects and make so many things that all looked very professional. She chalk-painted furniture, thrift store finds, and did several other furniture makeovers. I was so impressed, because she even made her own chalk paint at home! She kept encouraging me and telling me how easy it was, but I wouldn’t listen.

A year or two later, another friend (Kelly) who I also consider to be an expert chalk painter planned a women’s event at the church. She taught us (or probably just me) all of the basics of chalk painting. This is where it all started – my first project!

Over a period of two Wednesday nights, we made these cute little trays. Yes, I was still intimidated, but everyone kept telling me there was no way to mess it up. I worried mostly about the brush strokes showing. Everyone just said not to worry, it would work itself out. They were right!

I have another “expert” chalk paint friend now. When I say expert, I mean expert. She even has her own chalk paint line, Bungalow 47! She has painted everything! You have to see her blog post about painting her slate floor. Unbelievable! As the expert in the field, she also gives step by step instructions and tips. In fact, she has a post that is a great guide to painting furniture. You can see it here.

It has been several years since my first chalk paint project at the church, and I have painted so many things. Once you get started and see how easy it is, you see new possibilities everywhere. It is such an easy way to give old furniture new life and a whole new look!

Chalk Paint Instructions (Beginner DIY)

I do not claim to be an expert in chalk paint, but I have done several easy projects and love using chalk paint! To go from such intimidation to “What else can I paint?” is saying a lot. 

Here are the very basic instructions for chalk painting:

• Choose the item to paint.
• Clean and prep
• Paint
• Sand (Optional)
• Wax or Seal

What is Chalk Paint and Why it is Perfect for Beginners

Chalk paint is one of the most beginner-friendly paints you can use, and it has become popular for good reason. Unlike traditional paints that require sanding, priming, or a lot of prep work, chalk paint adheres easily to most surfaces with very little effort.

Its soft, matte finish gives furniture and home décor pieces that charming, vintage look so many of us love. Because it dries quickly and is easy to layer or distress, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to update a piece without spending hours on the process.

Whether you’re transforming a thrift store treasure or refreshing something you already own, chalk paint makes the project simple, forgiving, and fun, even if you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before.

Step by Step Chalk Paint Instructions (Beginner Friendly)

• Choose the item you want to paint. I have only chalk painted on wooden surfaces, but it works on other surfaces as well.
• Gather supplies – Chalk paint, paint brushes, drop cloth, sand paper (if you want it to have a distressed look) lint-free cloth, clear wax or dark wax
• ​Prep Work – Clean the piece of furniture or object you will be painting.
• Paint the piece of furniture. You will probably want to add a second coat of paint. If you are painting a light color on top of a dark color, you may need a third coat. Let the paint dry between coats. (If you want a distressed look, don’t worry about the brush strokes showing through here.)
• Use the sandpaper to lightly sand the item if you want it to have a distressed finish. If not, skip this step.
• Final Step – Use the lint-free cloth and wipe the wax onto the surface of the painted object. I use a circular motion in small sections until it is covered completely. Wipe away any excess wax. This acts as a sealant for the paint.

10 Easy Chalk Paint Projects Anyone Can Do

Let’s look at a chalk paint project I have done to see some of the things I have learned about chalk painting. Hopefully these will give you other ideas of objects to chalk paint.

#1 Appliance Cabinet

My pantry was so full of kitchen appliances, that they were taking up the room for food! I wanted a cabinet I could put in my laundry room that would double as storage for appliances as well as a place to put laundry baskets. I found the perfect cabinet, but it had been stored in a barn. It was filthy. Here is the total transformation.

I normally wouldn’t clean a wooden piece of furniture with Lysol, but it was pretty extreme as you can tell by the dirty water!

#2 Recipe Book Holder

This cookbook holder was a bright orange color. I painted it gray to match my daughter’s kitchen.

If I were doing this one over again, I think I would try the chalk paint that comes in a spray. It was a bit challenging to get in all of the little cutout spaces.

#3 Vintage Bread Box

We made a trip to Jay’s Granny and Gramps (Shelton’s) house, and I ended up with some new chalk painting projects (along with a week long sitting area project).

​This bread box is where I keep dog medicine and a few treats. This was the first of the chalk paint DIYs I did on my own.

I don’t have a before picture, but it was a light brown color.

#4 Old Family Gun Cabinet

This gun cabinet was also similar to an oak coloring. This was the first time I took on a furniture piece. I wish I had a before picture, but it was a while ago, and I did not think to take pictures.

#5 Old Cabinet Drawer

This drawer has special meaning behind it. My daughter was driving by my grandmother’s (Grace’s) old house one day and saw these out by the curb. They were remodeling the kitchen and throwing away the old cabinets. Of course she asked if she could have some of them.

Talk about a walk down memory lane! I love thinking about all the times Granny used these kitchen drawers. If I were guessing, I would say that this is the one that held her kitchen utensils.

#6 Desk from Facebook Marketplace

I bought this desk off of Facebook Marketplace several years ago. However, it was solid black. This is one of the projects I mentioned that I had to use a third coat of paint. It worked though!

As you see in the pictures, I painted this project in the house. That is another plus to chalk paint – there are no strong fumes. Also if you look closely at the picture, I am not using a regular drop cloth. It is a cheap disposable tablecloth! 

#7 Spoon Holder

My She Shed is in the process of a total make over, so things are not as they will be. You can see how it started out on the post here, My Initial She Shed Vision, Ideas, and Plans.

My dad found this spoon holder at an estate sale and thought of me. I painted it gray to match the She Shed decor, and I love it. 

#8 Side Table

This was just a regular brown table that I painted with gray chalk paint. Since the She Shed has a rustic look to it, I sanded the table to get a distressed look.

#9 Vanity

​Once I realized how easy it was to transform items with just a little bit of chalk paint, I started painting items for gifts. 

This sweet little girl vanity went from solid black to a very pale blue! I did have to give it a third coat to cover the dark paint.

Evelyn was thrilled with her little vanity.

#10 Electric Fireplace

I still have a few upcoming furniture projects that I need to get finished pretty soon. All of these are items that are in my She Shed.

I was able to get the electric fireplace painted though. It was tough making a decision on paint color, but I think the dark gray turned out great.

I definitely like the new chalk painted version better!

Don’t be afraid to give something an update with a little bit of chalk paint. The options are almost limitless!

Tools and Supplies for Chalk Painting

These are some of the items (or similar) that I use. The affiliate links are below for your convenience, but you can also find these items at your local hardware stores.

• Paint Brushes and/or Sponges (I like sponges best.)
• Disposable Plastic Tablecloth
• Clear Wax
• Lint-Free Cloths
• Sandpaper
• Ryobi Sander (You can definitely do this by hand, but a sander works more efficiently for larger projects.)

​As far as the actual chalk paint is concerned, I have used several different brands. The most common one I have used is Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint. They even make chalk paint in spray paint form!

Since then, I got to see Jill’s paint color chart at Bungalow 47 in person. She has some beautiful colors that you can’t get at your average store!

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The first time I experienced how much fun it was to give old items new life, I remember hearing all of the ladies talking about the projects they had completed. Like I said, I think I was the only one who learned the process that night. Some had even chalk painted all of their kitchen cabinets! 

Your Turn to Chalk Paint

You may have chalk painted many things. If so, I would love to see them!

If not, what chalk paint project will you try first? Please share them in the comments so we can all see and get ideas.

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Until next time,

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“She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.”
Proverbs 31:17