Easy to Make DIY Dry Erase Board
We’re sharing an easy to make DIY Dry Erase Board as we team up with the fabulous ladies of the Handcrafted Society today!
This month our theme is frames.
Frames are great because they’re usually budget friendly, plentiful at thrift stores or charity shops and you can use them in a variety of ways.
So, as we gear up for all things back to school and embrace another season of change, I thought it would be fun to share our easy to make DIY dry erase board.
This project is really simple to create and is one we use to help keep us organized.
It’s easily customizable, you probably already have some of the materials you need it make it at home and you can complete this project in an afternoon.
Here’s a look at our easy to make DIY dry erase board…
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DIY Dry Erase Board Supplies:
- Large Picture (This one was a thrift store score for $3)
- Damp Lint Free Cloth (to clean the picture frame glass)
- Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (I’m using a custom mix of Old White, Country Grey and Paris Grey)
- Large foam brush
- Zinsser 123 Primer For All Surfaces
- General Finishes Milk Paint (I’m using Snow White)
- 2 paint brushes (1 – 1 ½ in work great for smaller projects like this. You can find a great starter pack here)
- Vinyl letters (optional)
- Newspaper or Kraft paper (optional)
- Tarp to protect your work surfaces
DIY Dry Erase Board Steps:
Gather your supplies and make sure your workspace has been properly prepped.
I found this picture frame at a thrift store for $3 and knew it would be perfect for a dry erase board.
It’s a generous size at 31 inches long and 25 inches wide.
Using caution and care as glass and staples will be sharp, carefully remove the picture print and any backing.
Once they have been removed, make sure the glass and your frame has been cleaned and is completely dry.
Turn the frame so that the front of the “picture” is facing your work surface and the back is exposed and facing you.
You will be painting the back of the glass to pull off the dry erase board look.
Next, apply chalk paint to the back of the glass using a foam brush.
Use even brushstrokes and thin coats of paint as you will be layering multiple coats onto your DIY dry erase board.
Make sure each coat has dried completely before adding another layer of paint.
Once all the paint layers are dry, carefully place the original cardboard or foam board backing onto the frame and secure the pieces in place.
Again, use caution and care as paint can be easily nicked and the glass and staples will be sharp.
Painting the Dry Erase Board Frame:
While the chalk paint coats were drying, I painted the frame.
This frame has a mahogany style finish which can sometimes bleed through white paint.
So, I started by painting the frame with Zinsser 123 primer.
Place a piece of newspaper or brown kraft paper under the rim of the frame so you don’t get primer on your chalk painted glass.
This is how the picture frame looked after one coat of Zinsser
and this is after two coats…
It may seem like a lot of extra work for just a frame.
But it made the General Finishes Milk Paint in Snow White go on so much easier.
Bonus, all that prep work saved me from having to deal with red stain/pink paint bleed through too.
Adding Vinyl Letters:
Once all the coats of paint on the glass and the frame were completely dry, I used vinyl letters I purchased at The Dollar Store to spell out Office.
But you can spell out anything that inspires you or even skip this step altogether if you like.
Keep in Mind…
I always look through the picture section at our local thrift store.
If you’re a treasure hunter, I’m sure you do too.
You can usually find frames like this for less than $10 which makes them very budget friendly to decorate with and to make projects with too.
As you’re buying markers for your DIY dry erase board, make sure to use those that are specially formulated for dry erase use.
Additionally, you’ll also want to avoid abrasive cleaners.
I know we all have different office spaces and workspace preferences so I hope this idea helps keep you organized.
Even small updates can make a big difference in your workday.
Especially, if you’re working from home!
Up Next…
Overall, frames can be used in so many ways so be sure to check out what the rest of the fabulous ladies of the Handcrafted Society are sharing below.
Other Frame and Office Related Posts to Explore:
How to Repurpose an Old Picture Into a Chalkboard
A Simple Bedroom Office Space for the Bedroom
Many blessings,
CoCo
Hey CoCo – This is a great idea! Love that you painted the glass with chalk paint – so this can be customized for any room in the house!. Your mom will love it too! Hug to you for a great week!
I can’t wait to check out your menu board Nancy! We keep several chalkboards around the house and they help so much. sending you hugs for a happy day, CoCo
Thanks so much, Amy! It’s always fun to see your latest projects. You are so creative. Big hugs, CoCo
Fabulous project Coco! Thanks for inspiring us again.
You are so sweet, Anne, thank you! I’m so glad you like this one and will be able to use it. Sending you hugs for a happy week, CoCo
So smart! Love this idea and the simplicity it adds to the office design.
I really appreciate it, Amy, thank you so much!
I’m always amazed that people throw away large picture frames like this one. There are so many things you can make with them and your dry erase board is a beautiful example – love it!
I know just what you mean, Jayne! Dry erase boards, chalkboards and cork boards are all so easy to make when you have a pretty frame. We’re always on the lookout for them because we use them all the time around the house. Hopefully, we’ll all be able to treasure hunt again like we use to. I miss it 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
Coco
This is such a fabulous way to create the best out of thrifty items.
I know I need one of these eraser boards for my kitchen as I’m a big fan of list making and visual tick off brings a sense of accomplishment too. Thanks Coco for yet another smart project.
So glad you’ll be able to use this idea! One of my sisters has a little that is allergic to chalk dust so this was a fun alternative because they are big list makers too. Hope your week has been a fun one! Hugs, CoCo
I love this CoCo! I actually had just set aside a frame to make a dry erase board…but never thought of painting the reverse glass or using the stickers! Genius! Thanks for sharing!
There was a time when I was a chalkboard fanatic and seriously had one in almost every room in our home! I just loved them, but one downfall was they were messing to use, (all that chalk dust)! This is a wonderful alternative, so guess what I’ll be digging out of my stash this weekend! Thank you so much for the inspiration, CoCo! P.S. Your paint techniques always turn out AMAZING!
I really appreciate your kind words, Christine, thank you! We have chalkboards all over the house too and use them all the time. My sister has a little that is allergic to chalk dust and lots of other things so this was a great alternative for them too. You know how I feel about things being pretty and practical. Can’t wait to see what you do! Hugs, CoCo
Thank you, Kristin! We all need a little easy in our lives right now and this project is definitely one of those 🙂 Big hugs, CoCo
What a fabulous idea! At first, I thought you put an actual dry-erase board behind the frame. I have never thought about painting the back of the glass. You are so clever, my friend! It turned out fantastic, and I love that it’s so functional! Pinning now!
This is such a good idea and I can see how anyone can adapt the frame style to match the decor of their office. It would also be a great as a command center board for a busy family.
CoCo, I’m completely smitten with your dry erase board! I have a couple of frames that I can use to make one of these for the grand littles and one for me too! Using vinyl letters is so brilliant! I can’t believe I never thought of making one. Thanks for the motivation!
Another beautiful project! It seems so simple, but it looks so high end!
CoCo – I literally have TWO dry erase boards in my office. They are the primary way I keep organized for the year and month. Your idea of using a frame to create a CUTE and FUNCTIONAL dry erase board – has my mind working . . . Right now – my dry erase boards are not cute. (nowhere close to cute) Thanks for the inspiration and for always helping us to stay organized.