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How to Turn a Mirror into a Chalkboard

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How to turn a mirror into a chalkboard using chalkboard paint. A quick and easy DIY project that transforms an old dresser mirror.

If you’ve been following our kitchen remodel, then you know that we have a very small, galley style kitchen. What you may not know is that there’s only one wall that we can hang any kind of decor on. Eek!

Vintage mirror before it was turned into a kitchen chalkboard

My original idea was to turn an old, chippy window into a chalkboard, but when I saw this vintage mirror at a local ReStore for $10, I knew that the window idea was, well…out the window.

I was looking for something with some curves in it to balance out all the straight lines in the kitchen and this was it!

Supplies to turn a mirror into a chalkboard

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I wanted this to be a quick and easy project so I decided to use spray paint on the frame and chalkboard paint on the mirror.

The first thing I did was to remove the back so I could get the mirror out. Then I cleaned the dust and dirt off the mirror and the frame.

Vintage mirror frame and two cans of spray paint

I’ve been wanting to try spray chalk paint for a while and this was the perfect project for it, so I picked up some chalky finish spray paint in gray and white. I used the gray as a base coat and then I used the classic white over that.

Both were super easy to use and dried quickly. I will say that the slate covered much better than the white but the finish was smooth and chalky.

Once the frame was completely dry, I did a light sanding to expose some of the gray color and my frame was done. I was looking for a chalky, flat finish so I didn’t bother with waxing the frame.

The next victim was the mirror.

Vintage mirror frame after it was painted white

Can you paint over a mirror with chalkboard paint?

For those that ask “can you paint over a mirror with chalkboard paint?” I simply say, “why not?”

It actually turned out to be a super simple process.

To do this I used chalkboard paint in a black finish. I painted a quick coat, right on the mirror, with a foam brush and let it dry for 4 hours.

Painting a vintage mirror with chalkboard paint

I let it dry the recommended time between coats and used opposite strokes for each coat (the first coat was from top to bottom, the second coat was from side to side, and so on). It took 4 coats to to get it looking the way I wanted.

After letting the chalkboard dry for 4 days, as per the directions, I seasoned it with chalk.

It’s essential that you season a freshly painted chalkboard, otherwise you will always see what was written on the board. Chalkboard paint is very porous and using chalk to season it fills the little pores in the surface.

vintage mirror painted with black chalkboard paint and box of white chalk

Simply take your chalk and use the side, rather than the tip, to rub the entire surface. Make sure you rub the chalk vertically and horizontally. After you’ve completely covered your board with chalk, take a soft, damp cloth and clean the surface. Now your chalkboard is ready for fun!

Cleaning chalk off of a vintage mirror to turn it into a kitchen chalkboard

After I finished seasoning the chalkboard, I put it back in the frame and reattached the backing. I added hooks and wire and hung it on the wall in the kitchen.

I’m showing you the chalkboard and the whole wall to give you some perspective of the only space that I can hang decor. The kitchen is a work in progress so light switches and cabinet doors are still missing.

 kitchen chalkboard hanging on a gray painted kitchen wall

I’ve wanted a chalkboard calendar for as long as I can remember, which is why I originally got the old window, so that’s what I made. This actually worked out better because I can see the whole month’s list of activities.

Vintage mirror turned into a kitchen chalkboard with a calendar

I love how it turned out and it’ll be fun to do different themes every month.

Vintage mirror turned into a kitchen chalkboard with a monthly calendar

I know chalkboards have been around a while, but have you ever turned a mirror into one?

vintage mirror and kitchen chalkboard with large graphic over the top

As always, thanks for stopping in!

Want to know how I created the chalkboard calendar? Check out my easy tutorial.

Also, make sure you check out our kitchen remodel, that we completed for under $3000.