How to Make Your Own Sidewalk Chalk

Chalkboard paint is one of those little inventions that can totally change the way we do things — or at least come in really, really handy. No mama wants to spend her oh-so-precious time scanning school supply websites for a clunky chalkboard just to write her family’s soccer/t-ball/dance/karate/swimming schedule on. That’s where chalkboard paint comes in. It’s affordable, it’s versatile, and it’s a lifesaver for artsy and craft-averse parents alike. Scroll on for seven easy chalkboard paint tricks that’ll give your life a major upgrade.

1. Boredom Buster: Instead of having to stop whatever you’re doing and hunt for paper, paints, crayons, and glitter to entertain your kiddo, a wall of chalkboard is… well, kind of just there. Outline a massive rectangle with painter’s tape, fill it in with chalkboard paint, and there you have it: a low-maintenance art activity that’s available all the time.

2. Scheduling Hack: Again, buying a chalkboard (or a white board) takes time. There are so many options out there, and you have no idea which one will fit in your space. And then you have to figure out how to hang this gargantuan creature on your kitchen or family room wall. No thank you! Just turn one of your walls into a DIY chalkboard, draw a grid on it, and start adding your family’s weekly schedule.

3. List Twist: There’s never any paper when you need it, and don’t even start looking for a pen. You’re lucky if you find half a crayon. But that doesn’t stop your fam from listing off all the things they need. Chalkboard paint to the rescue! A strategically placed swatch and a tiny container of chalk (try reusing an old yogurt container) make for an instant list.

4. Writing Reminders: Picture this: You’re leaving for work at 7am, but your S.O. and the kids aren’t making their way to daycare until 8am. You don’t want to get in the way of their routine, or wake them up earlier than necessary, so you leave behind a note… a note that no one sees, because it’s on a Post-it that fell onto the floor and was promptly eaten by the dog. A wall covered in chalkboard paint lets you graffiti mega-sized notes to each other, without the fear that they’ll get lost in the ether.

5. Crafty Containers: Chalkboard paint is a great way to label all of those mason jars you’ve been saving. With the swipe of a piece of chalk, you can organize pantry items, the kids’ art supplies, and lord knows what else. Best of all, you can always erase and rewrite, so your DIY storage system stays super versatile.

6. Gifts Galore: Don’t settle for the same-old, same-old for Grandma this year. True, she won’t complain that she’s getting yet another holiday card finger print painting, but you want to gift your own mama with something special. Cover just about anything (except food) with chalkboard paint and you’ve got a completely crafty and simple-to-make present.

7. Study Buddy: Whether your little one is just starting to learn her ABCs or she’s already writing her name, chalkboard paint is a serious game-changer when it comes to practicing everything from the alphabet to addition. A wall, some chalk, and a little tutoring by you can get your child completely into the learning process!

Do you have a favorite chalkboard paint craft? Share yours and tweet us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Getty)

All you need to do is a take a quick glimpse at Valerie’s Instagram account to get excited about learning chalk illustration. Her designs might look intricate and complex, but anyone can learn to illustration with chalk. Especially when Valerie is sharing all of her illustration tips and tricks that she picked up over the years working with chalk.

Her new online class, Intro To Chalk Illustration, is the follow-up to her first Brit + Co online class Intro to Chalk Lettering.

In this 85-minute beginner-friendly course, you’ll learn how to illustrate floral designs with chalk. To be precise, you’ll learn how to draw three types of flowers: An anemone, a rose, and a coneflower. Valerie will teach you design principles, how to create a balanced composition, and how to add texture and depth using smudging and erasing techniques. Your final project will be tying all the elements together to create a floral illustration design. And since we all love lettering, she’ll show you how to incorporate lettering into your illustration.

Need an extra resource? Check out Valerie’s book, The Complete Book of Chalk Lettering: Create and Develop Your Own Style, for more chalk lettering lessons and projects!

By the end of Intro to Chalk Illustration, you’ll know how to:

Ready to get chalky? Enroll in our newest illustration class today. You can even paint it with Valerie’s first course, Intro To Chalk Lettering, to learn even more chalk art techniques.

PSST! DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE CLASS GIVEAWAY

By enrolling in the class today, you’ll automatically be entered into our class giveaway. You could win prizes up to $125 in value, including:

We’ll pick three winners at random on 9/19. Winners will be announced here and notified via email as well.

Once you enroll in the course, it’s yours forever. You can watch it on demand whenever… especially on a lazy Sunday in your pajamas! The course also comes with an 11-page workbook created by Valerie that you can download after you enroll.

So what are you waiting for? Enroll in our Intro to Chalk Illustration online class today.

What are you excited to learn in this upcoming class? Share with us on Twitter and tag @BritandCo and #bcclasses.

Kitchen renovations are no joke – they're a major investment, so you’ll want to think twice before committing to fleeting trends — especially for big-ticket items like cabinets, countertops, and appliances. I’ll admit it: I’m still without a backsplash five years later because I can’t commit! While it’s perfectly fine to follow your heart if you love a particular look, kitchens can quickly feel outdated when you lean too heavily on short-lived fads. To help you create a timeless, stylish space, we’ve rounded up outdated kitchen trends to avoid — and easy ways to modernize if your kitchen is stuck in the past.

Scroll to see if you have these outdated kitchen trends in your house right now!

Mark McCammon

1. All-White Kitchens

The all-white kitchen craze has officially run its course, often feeling cold and sterile — like say a doctor’s office. Today’s kitchens are all about warmth and character, with palettes in soft neutrals, earthy greens, or bold, moody shades like oxblood and midnight blue. Choose a color that speaks to you for a timeless, inviting space you'll love for years to come.

Pixabay

2. Granite Countertops

This early 2000s trend has been overdone and feels so dated now. Marble, sleek quartz, even butcher block are more classic choices.

Curtis Adams

3. Ornate Cabinetry

The color and detail of this traditional kitchen feels drab and dated. Instead, look for flat-panel or Shaker-style cabinets with clean, minimal lines.

Terry Magallanes

4. Farmhouse Decor

This kitchen is a lesson is don'ts. The grey vinyl flooring (especially hideous!), farmhouse stools, and white cabinetry hail from a decades-old trend that needs to disappear in 2025.

Home Depot

5. Glass Mosaic Tiles

Glass mosaics, popular in the 2000s and 2010s, tend to lean toward a transitional aesthetic, which is the opposite of an organic, minimalist, or vintage-inspired design kitchen are craving now. The grout lines are bit difficult to clean too between all the tiny tiles. Zellige tile or a slab of marble are a more sophisticated look for today's kitchens.

Level 23 Media

6. Black & White

The stark contrast between black and white can come across as harsh and overly dramatic, a look that peaked in the 2010s. The farmhouse sign doesn't help warm it up either. Soften the look with earthy, natural tones.

Curtis Adams

7. Subway Tile

Subway tile is classic, so there’s no need to rip it out if it still brings you joy. However, the white subway tile paired with dark grout has overstayed its welcome. This overdone trend became so ubiquitous that it lost its charm and individuality, leaving kitchens looking more cookie-cutter than full of character.

Amazon

8. Industrial Lighting

This nod to the past needs to, sorry, stay in the past. Look for organic, natural forms and lighting that reflects your kitchen's unique aesthetic.

Shutterstock

9. Tuscan Style

This rustic kitchen feels dated with its heavy, ornate features like dark wood cabinetry and trim. Go for clean, brighter spaces.

Shutterstock

10. Tile Countertops

Natural stone, marble, and wood are trending for 2025. Grout-filled countertops like this one are not. Time to go!

Max Vakhtbovycn

11. Moroccan Mosaic Tile

Kitchens are becoming elegant places to cook, eat, and gather. This busy design can look cheap. The white mid-century Eames-style chairs, sorry to say, are also out.

Andrea Davis

12. Barn Doors

Using barn doors between the kitchen and other spaces is a look that is officially out. They proved to be not that functional and the look is now dated and too kitschy. Buh bye!

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