7 Beautiful Chalk Paint Ideas That Will Convince You to Try the Trend

If you know what chalk paint is, you probably have many chalk paint ideas and opinions on its uses. You might love this paint for its ability to turn any thrifted piece of furniture into a shabby-chic icon—or you might dislike it for that very same reason.

Using chalk paint extends far beyond shabby-chic décor and upcycled furniture. It can fit into a farmhouse kitchen and a modern bedroom alike when applied correctly, and the many colors available add to the possibilities.

The textured, lived-in look of this specialized paint—as opposed to the gloss or semi-gloss of standard paint—gives character to kitchen cabinets, walls, furniture, and more, making it easier to establish the atmosphere or mood in a space. If you want your home to look different from your neighbors' without resorting to fringe design choices, adding chalk paint might do the trick. See these stunning ideas for inspiration.

Chalk Paint Dresser

It's well-known among chalk paint fanatics that a coat of this paint can dress up any dresser, armoire, or chest of drawers. This particular specimen proves that a chalk-painted dresser doesn't have to have a distressed look—with fresh hardware and a moody blue paint job, the dresser looks modern.

Boho Sideboard

Small pieces of furniture like this one—with drawers and a flat surface for keys, decorative items, books, and more—are dynamic pieces that can fit into an entryway, a dining room, a living room, or nearly any other space that has a spare wall in need of filling. The fresh coat of chalk paint on the furniture makes it super playful (and perfect for enlivening an otherwise neutral space) without venturing into the overly rustic territory.

Wall of Wonder

While usually centered around furniture applications, this stunning bathroom proves that chalk paint can go on the wall, too. The look is typically moody and bold, with a matte finish that is a striking departure from the standard gloss or semi-gloss of most paint colors. Depending on color choice, the vibe can go anywhere from moody to bright to playful—and application can be as easy as using one color rather than attempting an ombre look like this one.

Kitchen Cabinets

Colorful kitchen cabinets are having a moment, and using chalk paint instead of traditional paint lends the final product a slightly more relaxed look and feel. Here, the look is an almost modern farmhouse (with the emphasis more on modern than farmhouse); without the slight sheen of a typical paint finish, the kitchen feels lived in and casual.

Startling Stairs

Trying some staircase decorating is always fun, and tackling the project with chalk paint means the final look is a little more casual and playful—call it primary school chic—than it might be with paint of a different finish. The feel is a little farmhouse-y, but with darker colors or a slate of pastel shades, the stairs will look more modern or sunnier, depending on the desired vibe.

Chalk Painted-Brick

Painted brick is still super popular, but the brick doesn't always have to be white. Here, a matte black chalk paint looks super modern—but not harsh—around a fireplace. The finish isn't so out-of-place as to be jarring but offers a striking focal point for the space.

Moody Armoire

Similar to the dresser, using the same paint shade on walls and large furniture gives the set-up the look of high-end, custom-built-ins. Here, with dark blue chalk paint, the look is a sort of shabby elegance—not quite stiff and fancy, but still elevated.