Chalked Paint: From Old Table to New Desk

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I knew that this year we had to make sure both of our older kids had desks to do their homework but I wanted to redo an old Ikea dining room table that was destroyed for our oldest. I have a real love/hate relationship with purging my house. Some items I am more than happy to toss to the curb and others sit in our storage room collecting dust until one day we decide to save it and put it to use.

This table was save-worthy.

The Ingo Wood Table from Ikea

We got this table from a family friend (only $80 brand new) and although we didn’t need a table at the point I thought we could use it in the future for something. Over the years it’s been coloured on, painted black, sanded to reveal the original wood table top but it was never perfect.

When we started thinking of back to school at the beginning of summer break and what we needed to get done to be ready I knew that this table was going to become our oldest’s desk. It was big enough that it would easily hold his computer and all of his accessories but also had enough space for him to do his work.

Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint & Clear Chalkboard Top Coat

When we finished our other Rust-Oleum projects earlier this summer (check out our deck revamp and DIY patio refresh) we were excited to try out the Chalked Paint. The finish goes on matte and its so smooth. I was torn about whether I wanted to sand the table after I finished painting it to give it a more weeathered and vintage look but decided against it. I am pretty sure my son will make it look weathered and vintage all on his own.

We decided to go with the ‘pebble’ colour and I initially tried to use a paint roller but it’s not recommended and for good reason. The paint goes on splotchy but once I got the paint brush out I quickly fell in love with the results.

This paint dries almost immediately and you can see the brush strokes in the finish. It adds to the beauty of the finished product and I honestly didn’t want to give this table to my son at this point but in the end this table was destined to be his.

After 2 coats of the Chalked paint in pebble we did a protective topcoat of the clear Chalkboard paint that turns surfaces into writable chalkboards. Overall the table stopped being matte but now our guy can use chalk pens to write down important info–like the name of his Minecraft buddies.

Final Thoughts

I loved, loved, LOVED the final product without the clear chalkboard top coat BUT it was not going to last in our house with just the paint especially since we were putting the computer on the table.

That being said I now want to do an old dresser and a couple of bookshelves with the same finish plus the chalk topcoat for my girls. Maybe I can encourage them to write on their furniture and not the walls and floors 😉

Check out Rustoleum’s whole line of products and get some inspiration for your next project on their website (like maybe cleaning and sealing your deck). You can also purchase the Rustoleum line at most major Canadian retailers: Home Depot, Home Hardware, Canadian Tire, Lowes, Rona, Wal-Mart.

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This post is in partnership with Rustoleum Canada. All opinions are our own.

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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22 Comments

HEIDI C.
August 17, 2017 / 11:02 pm

You did an amazing job with this! You totally transformed this table.
Jonnie
August 18, 2017 / 3:04 am

What a difference! We’ve been discussing painting my sons desktop with chalkboard paint. It’s worn right now but is such a solid desk that I want to find a way to keep it. You’re results are definitely encouraging!
kathy downey
August 18, 2017 / 10:47 am

I totally love it,turned out perfect.We just finished stripping 8 chairs and a table now we are just waiting for sunny weather to stain !
Kevin B
August 21, 2017 / 1:32 am

This looks really nice. Good job!
Elizabeth Matthiesen
August 24, 2017 / 10:15 pm

Your table looks marvellous now, what a difference the paint has made. I was thinking of doing something similar with a couple of old books cases that I inherited. They aren’t real wood though so I’m not sure chalk paint would work on them.
nicolthepickle
August 25, 2017 / 7:21 am

The table is a good shape. I’m glad you saved it.
Janet M
August 25, 2017 / 6:14 pm

You did a beautiful job with the table. Chalkboard paint is so versatile.
Debbie White Beattie
August 29, 2017 / 5:13 am

This table/desk looks awesome and I would never of thought of using chalkboard paint but what a great idea
CalviN F.
August 29, 2017 / 2:06 pm

Quite the good idea, actually have a wooden table currently that looks like the before photo so this would be nice to try..
Kristi F
August 29, 2017 / 6:17 pm

That table was definitely save worthy being such nice solid wood. I love how it looks!
Donna L.
August 31, 2017 / 12:59 am

Great job! The table looks so fresh and modern now.
LisaM
August 31, 2017 / 6:58 am

That looks fantastic. I love that I’m more willing to try new things around the house; I fixed a window and this weekend I’m going to try and hang some curtains!
AD
August 31, 2017 / 7:59 pm

Wow, this looks great! You did an amazing job and it seems so easy!
Nate
September 1, 2017 / 10:43 pm

great way to use up an old table
kathy downey
September 22, 2017 / 4:56 pm

After yours turned out so well i striped my grandson and it turned out great.
Julie
September 28, 2017 / 11:40 am

Love this, it looks great! It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do!
Elizabeth Matthiesen
October 10, 2017 / 10:04 pm

That table looks wonderful now, I also like the bench with the flower pots, great way to show them off. 🙂
Lynda Cook
October 17, 2017 / 7:41 am

Looks like a brand new table, ?I love the colour you picked out for the table, very nice!!
erin n
October 17, 2017 / 3:48 pm

nice job! i need to start trying to do more DIYs around my home.. 🙂
Linda H
October 29, 2017 / 12:22 pm

You did a beautiful job and it looks brand new.
Tannis W
December 22, 2017 / 12:52 am

Hmmm, I never would have thought to paint a desk with chalkboard paint. Interesting idea!
kathy downey
May 14, 2018 / 2:18 pm

You table looks fantastic I can’t wait to get outside and do mine!