I’m sharing my two favorite, tried-and-true chalk paint recipes! Although there are many fantastic brands of chalk paint on the market, homemade chalk paint is the best solution for color customization and saving money.
Homemade chalk paint is usually much more cost-effective because you can buy a color sample from $3 to $9 and add some simple ingredients to transform it into your dream chalk paint! I have completed one or two pieces of furniture with a batch of homemade chalk paint made from a single paint sample.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I can earn a small commission, at no cost to you, on qualifying purchases. You can read my affiliate disclaimer here.
Here are a few products you will need for your homemade chalk paint:
Always read product warnings and ingredients before mixing and use proper safety gear! I always wear gloves and eye protection when mixing, just in case. Surface preparation is key to a successful finish. Make sure you have removed any dirt or grease from the surface. If you need to sand, make sure you wear a dust mask.
The first recipe is simply made with latex paint, Plaster of Paris, and water. That’s it! This recipe is my favorite for a base coat covering laminate or melamine surfaces. It sticks well and dries hard with a flat finish. It distresses well and is incredibly durable with a proper topcoat. Just make sure you don’t use ceiling paint or any other paint with stain-blocking additives.
This next recipe is an absolute dream to apply. It’s creamy and dries matte and smooth. It is the easiest to distress and I love using it on pieces with intricate details because it doesn’t take much elbow grease to distress around the detailed areas.