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Easy DIY Chalky Paint

By A Cultivated Nest Team

Don’t you just love the look of chalky paints? They look so pretty, and have such a nice texture. It’s also easy to use chalky paint to distress furniture, and who doesn’t like it when a DIY project is easy? If you like easy projects, you’ll love this homemade recipe for Easy DIY Chalky Paint!

Easy DIY chalky paint

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

Commercial chalky paint can be somewhat pricey (around $40 per quart), and you’re limited by the colors the manufacturer makes. This recipe allows you to get the looks and benefits of commercial chalky paint without the cost! And the fun thing is that you can make whatever color you like! I chose to make mine blue, but I could have just as easily made a lighter blue, or red, or any color I wanted!

Easy DIY Chalky Paint

Materials:

Easy DIY chalky paint

Mason jar (I like these because of the lids, the lines for easy measuring, and they are cheap!)
Calcium carbonate (which you can buy at health food stores, or online)
Latex paint color of your choice (be sure that the finish is either flat or matte)
Stir sticks
Warm water
Measuring spoons

Directions:

I like to make one cup at a time because it mixes better and the paint goes a surprisingly long way.

Easy DIY chalky paint

1. Start with the Mason jar and add 4 TBSP of the Calcium Carbonate.

Easy DIY chalky paint
2. Next add 2 TBSP of warm water, and stir until you get a creamy base.

Easy DIY chalky paint
3. Add one cup of paint to the mixture and stir until the calcium carbonate and paint are well blended and you don’t see any white.

Now you’re ready to paint with your DIY chalky paint at a fraction of the cost of the name brand chalky paints out there. No sanding or priming needed. Typically I do 3+ coats and finish with a waxing cream. I rub the wax on with a clean rag, and buff it off with a clean rag.

Easy DIY chalky paint

***This post contains Amazon Affiliate Links. Please see our Disclosure Statement for more information.

You may also be interested in:

10 Inspiring Thrift Store Makeovers

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Filed Under: DIY Projects, DIY Projects Tagged With: chalky paint, DIY, DIY projects, Homemade

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Comments

  1. Theresa H. Roach says

    October 9, 2015 at 8:25 am

    I want to try this on some things I have been wanting to paint! Have a blessed day dear Manuela, HUGS!

  2. Zografia says

    October 10, 2015 at 6:03 pm

    I have a night stand that must get a new look! But chalk paint is kind of out of my budget! So, i am going to try this! Thanks for the recipe!

  3. Lucinda Nutting says

    October 21, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    Wow, I love this post! I didn’t know you could make this stuff. I’m a huge crafter and I’m always going through chalk paint, but it is so expensive. Thanks for the post!

  4. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says

    October 27, 2015 at 6:40 am

    I love the look of that. I think I would like to try this on a bookcase I have been meaning to repaint.

  5. Annie says

    October 27, 2015 at 10:57 am

    I am getting ready to repaint a desk. Thank you for this tutorial, I can’t wait to try and make it.

  6. Karen says

    October 27, 2015 at 12:13 pm

    I really want to try to do this. I like the IDEA of crafting, but am not really talented at it 🙂 I do have several friends that have done this to furniture lately, and it inspires me to give it a try 🙂

  7. Betsy Segars says

    October 27, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    I love this! I didn’t realize you can make chalky paint so easy.

  8. Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says

    October 27, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Thanks so much for sharing this! I’ve already got a ton of ideas for the chalk paint I’ll be making this weekend.

  9. Pam says

    October 27, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    I have been wanting to paint some things with a chalky finish but chalk paint is expensive in my neck of the woods. I need to try making it myself!

  10. Liz Mays says

    October 27, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    Oh this is so cool. It would be fun to try this out on some of the furniture I’ve been keeping in storage.

  11. Diana Elizabeth says

    October 27, 2015 at 6:20 pm

    My mind is blown, I had no idea you could make your own chalk paint of any color! Thanks for sharing this – I love it!

  12. Toni | BoulderLocavore says

    October 27, 2015 at 9:23 pm

    This is so cool! I had no idea you could make chalk paint yourself. Pinning now!

  13. Chasing Joy says

    October 27, 2015 at 10:23 pm

    Chalk paint sounds like fun. I might use it on a dresser I have.

  14. Anjanette says

    October 28, 2015 at 12:53 am

    This chalk paint is such a neat idea. i love the different texture it offers. Thanks for sharing.

  15. Marcie W. says

    October 28, 2015 at 8:54 am

    I would love to refinish a piece of furniture and really like the look of chalky paint. I appreciate that making it yourself allows you the freedom to select any color.

  16. Debbie Denny says

    October 28, 2015 at 9:21 am

    This is so cool. I just love the idea of making your own chalk paint.

  17. Melissa says

    October 28, 2015 at 10:31 am

    I had no idea it was so easy to make! I just bought some to paint my kitchen cabinets.

  18. Shell says

    October 28, 2015 at 11:41 am

    This is genius! I have wanted to use chalkboard paint, but it’s so expensive. This is a great alternative!

  19. Tracey says

    October 28, 2015 at 11:45 am

    I was just about to go out to buy some expensive chalk paint and then I saw this! Thanks for saving me tons of money!

  20. Crystal says

    October 28, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    I’ve never made my own before, but it looks easy. I love that you an make it in any color you need.

  21. Shannon Gurnee says

    October 28, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    This is such a creative DIY recipe! I would have had no idea to make DIY Chalky Paint this way!

  22. Valerie says

    October 28, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I haven’t used chalk paint before but I love how easy it is to make. There is so much that can be done with it!

  23. Christie says

    October 28, 2015 at 4:31 pm

    What a genius paint hack! i’m totally looking for some calcium carbonate now!

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A Cultivated Nest makes no claims of “expert status” and the owner will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the use of the information found on this website. Posts may contain affiliate links. A Cultivated Nest is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Cultivated Nest is also a participant in the Etsy affiliate program via Awin. This means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in my posts. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.

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