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Build a Large Magnetic Chalkboard for Home or Classroom

DIY Large Leaning Chalkboard Mirror: Step-by-Step Build and Budget

It’s Tuesday the 30th, which means it’s time to share this season’s completely unofficial Pinterest Challenge project. This entry is a DIY take on the chunky-framed leaning mirror trend, except we turned ours into a giant chalkboard so it’s both decorative and functional.

Designing it like a large leaning mirror means the piece can be moved from room to room. It becomes a place for grocery lists, quick notes, Clara’s scribbles, and seasonal messages. For safety, we secured the finished piece to the wall using hardware intended for leaning mirrors so it’s stable around kids.

Inspiration and approach

We pulled inspiration from a few pinned ideas: oversized chalkboards, leaning easel boards, and door-mounted chalkboards. Rather than copying any single project, we combined elements we loved into our own version. The result is a tall, freestanding chalkboard with a chunky stained frame that looks like a leaning mirror at first glance.

Materials and dimensions

One of the advantages of this build was that we used a large leftover sheet of plywood we already had on hand. Our finished chalkboard board is 68 inches tall and 21 inches wide. To create the frame we used four 1×6 boards: two cut to 29.5 inches for the top and bottom, and two cut to 63 inches for the sides. The final overall dimensions of the framed piece are approximately 29.5 inches wide by 74 inches tall, which allows for overlap so the plywood appears to sit slightly inside the frame.

Essential materials used:

  • One piece of plywood (68″ x 21″)
  • Four 1×6 boards for the frame (two at 29.5″, two at 63″)
  • Magnetic paint (several coats for strong hold)
  • Chalkboard paint (two coats on the front)
  • Wood stain (we used a dark walnut tone)
  • Screws to secure the plywood to the frame from behind (approx. 1¼” length)
  • Leaning mirror safety hardware to secure it to the wall

Preparation and paint

We started by applying four coats of magnetic paint to the plywood front. Multiple coats ensured the board was magnetic enough for magnets to hold. Once the magnetic paint cured, we rolled on two coats of matte chalkboard paint over the front surface only. The back remained raw for a moment, until John painted it a fun hidden color because he didn’t like the scuffed plywood look. That secret color is a small personal touch—rarely seen, but meaningful to us.

Frame assembly (no fancy tools required)

To keep this build approachable for most DIYers, we avoided compound cuts or miter saw complexity. Home improvement stores typically offer free or low-cost cuts for plywood and boards, so we sized everything at the store and brought the pieces home ready to assemble. We stained the 1×6 boards with Minwax Dark Walnut before assembly to avoid getting stain on the chalkboard surface.

For assembly we used a pocket-hole jig to attach the frame pieces, but you can alternatively use metal corner brackets or simply screw them together from the back if you don’t own a jig. The important part is getting a square, sturdy frame that the plywood panel can be attached to from behind.

Attaching the plywood and finishing touches

The plywood overlaps the frame slightly so you can attach it by driving screws through the plywood and into the frame from the back. Choose screw length carefully so the screw passes through the plywood and bites into the frame without poking through the chalk-facing side—around 1¼” worked well for us.

After assembly we allowed the paint and stain to cure and air out, since both types of finish have strong fumes while drying. Once cured, we moved the chalkboard into the living room and attached it to the wall using the same anti-tip hardware that’s recommended for leaning mirrors so it won’t tip around children.

Conditioning and styling

To prep the chalkboard surface for use, we conditioned it by rubbing the side of a piece of chalk all over the surface and then wiping it clean. This helps prevent ghosting and improves erasability. We placed the framed chalkboard where it bridges the wood and gray elements in our room: the chalkboard color ties into the sofa and ceiling beams while the walnut frame echoes nearby wood furniture, creating a cohesive look.

Kid-friendly and functional

When our daughter Clara woke from her nap and saw the new board, she cautiously approached until we handed her a box of chalk. Her excitement confirmed that this was a great family-friendly addition—fun for kids and useful for household notes and seasonal displays.

Budget breakdown

Here’s an approximate cost summary based on what we purchased vs. what we already had:

  • $0 — leftover plywood, leftover stain, leftover magnetic paint (if bought new, estimate around $45 total for these)
  • $10 — chalkboard paint
  • $16 — four 1×6 boards for the frame
  • Total: $26 when using leftover materials (project could cost up to roughly $70 if you need to buy all materials).

Share your project

If you tackled a Pinterest Challenge or any DIY project recently, share what you made. If you’ve blogged about it, link to the specific post and include a descriptive project name rather than just your personal name. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to share photos on a public photo gallery so others can see. We love seeing how different builders interpret similar inspiration.

This DIY leaning chalkboard mirror is a simple, low-cost project that adds both personality and function to a living space. It’s moveable, kid-safe when anchored, and customizable in size and finish—perfect for notes, seasonal displays, and daily doodles.