If you want to give your room a blank canvas to experiment with your creativity, setting up a chalkboard wall is one way to do so. Doing this requires minimal effort, but it can add so much value to your room. Hanging art on the wall is fine, but they give you less flexibility to change things if you want to try out a different look in the future.

Chalkboard walls give you the freedom to create your own art however you please, and they work well in numerous types of rooms. Whether it's for sketching out ideas in your home office or welcoming guests into your kitchen, all you have to do is look online to be inspired by how many unique ideas you can try on a chalkboard wall.

However, when you are creating one, you need to learn the ins and outs of the medium before you install it. With that in mind, here are the dos and don'ts of creating a chalkboard wall.

Check Your Wall's Texture Before You Start

Before you set up your chalkboard wall, you need to make sure that the texture won't be too difficult to write on. The reason why no chalkboards are bumpy is that texture makes drawing too challenging, even on a flat surface.

If you are dead set on using a specific surface for the chalkboard wall, you can use sandpaper to smooth things out. Otherwise, you should pick a completely smooth wall.

Don't Overdo It When You Apply Paint

When searching for the best location in your home to set it up, keep in mind that chalkboard paint should serve as an accent to, and not the main feature of, an existing room. You only need to decide on one wall so the chalkboard stands out in the room.

Examples of where to put a chalkboard include somewhere in your kitchen, behind the table, or in the corner of your living room. However, you must ensure that the wall is easily accessible so your family and guests can get in on the fun. Moving furniture every time you want to draw or paint is a hassle that's not worthwhile, so avoid it when you can.

Apply Two Coats of Paint at a Minimum

Your wall will be smoother with every coat of paint that you add to it, which is why two coats should be the bare minimum. Depending on the surface you paint and the brand you choose, you may need even more coatings for a completely flat finish. If you are going through the trouble of painting anyway, you might as well put in some extra effort to make things right. Not all chalkboard paint brands are alike. For best results, choose a chalkboard paint that has been formulated specifically for the task. 

Before You Draw on It, Let It Dry for Three Days

You don't want to mess up the paint job by drawing on the wall prematurely, so wait at least three days for the paint to dry before you start drawing. After the paint dries thoroughly, try to add chalk to the entire surface and then erase it with a towel to test the capability of the surface. If everything goes according to plan, your chalk should erase easily from the wall, and you will know that you painted it properly.

Black Isn't the Only Color That Works Well on A Chalkboard

A common misconception among artists is that black is the only color that a chalkboard can be. This is not true, and there are numerous different colors that all work as a backdrop for creating beautiful chalk drawings.

You might remember the vintage green chalkboards from grade school, which is why green is a fantastic choice if you plan on writing more than drawing. Also, if the walls near your chalkboard wall are dark, you will want to choose a lighter option to coordinate with, such as beige or white.

Whatever you decide to choose, make sure that it fits in well with the room. If it doesn't work, you don't want to force a color into the equation, so consider what will be around the wall and how the lighting will affect its appearance.

Consider Turning Your Wall Into a Magnetic Chalkboard

If you want to spice up your chalkboard, you can add magnetic primer for additional creative possibilities. This type of primer can make any surface magnetic, so when you combine it with chalkboard paint, it can transform your wall into an exciting canvas for your imagination. Nonetheless, you should note that, like chalkboard paint, you will need two to three coats for the magnetic primer to work its magic.

Take Your Time When You Paint the Wall

Rushing the paint job is a disaster waiting to happen, and it can lengthen the redecorating process. To make things easier, try using blackboard spray paint if you don't want to apply brush strokes for too long.

Spray paint also makes it easier to paint hard-to-reach areas. Paint your wall slowly and carefully so that you fill in the space evenly. Noticing that you missed a spot after running out of paint is a problem that you can easily avoid by taking your time when you paint.

Start by working from the middle of the wall outwards so that you don't get paint on your other walls. Overlap the paint where there are tiny openings to level things out, and your final product should be a consistent coating. You might want to take breaks in between coats to conserve your energy and so you can track your progress.

Avoid Using the Wrong Chalk Type After the Paint Dries

Prior to your first drawing session, you need to educate yourself on which type of chalk you can use on the paint. Chalk that is too hard might be too challenging to erase fully, so go for a softer one that is simple to wipe off. In addition, if you want to use chalk markers, make sure that they are erasable on the paint material, so it doesn't smear on the wall.

Overall, chalkboard walls are an exciting way to add character to a room. Now that you understand the dos and don'ts of creating a chalkboard wall, you can start decorating your room with style!