IKEA Easel Makeover with Mod Podge

This IKEA easel was trashed by my three-year-old, so I gave it a complete makeover with clear chalkboard paint. You’ll love how easy this is!

Skills Required: Beginner. You’ll be applying clear chalkboard paint, Mod Podging, and a few other craft basics.

I know I’ve said this before but I’m so excited to share today’s makeover with everyone today!!

I got this easel from IKEA about 4 years ago for my boys and it’s in pretty bad shape. I’ve been wanting to give it a makeover for awhile now.

I got some clear chalkboard topcoat and I practiced on something small. It worked perfectly!! So I thought I’d give this easel makeover a try. One of my favorite parts – you can make the chalkboard any color!

I plan on putting this in my son’s room, so I gave it a little nautical makeover.

Table of Contents

IKEA Easel Makeover

For this makeover you’re going to need:

Gather These Supplies

Clear chalkboard paint
Mod Podge Furniture Matte
IKEA Easel
Paint
Scrapbook paper
Paintbrush
Decorative rope
Hot glue gun

Getting Started

As you can see this was in pretty BAD shape. My 3-year-old wrote all over it with a crayon and totally messed up the chalkboard.

To get started I cleaned it up as best as I could.

Step 1 – Paint the IKEA Easel

I taped off the easel and painted on two coats of white chalk paint. I let each coat dry 30 minutes.

Step 2 – Paint Front of Chalkboard

I really wanted to make the chalkboard blue. I thought the blue against the white would be perfect. I painted on two coats and let dry 30 minutes.

Step 3 – Add Your Clear Chalkboard Paint

Now the fun part!! Adding the clear chalkboard topcoat. As per the directions. I painted my first coat and let dry an hour, then painted on my second coat. Let it all dry 24 hours.

Note: Mod Podge Clear Chalkboard Topcoat is no longer available – hence the recommendation to use clear chalkboard paint, which works just as well!

This IKEA easel was trashed by my 3-year-old, so I gave it a complete makeover with Mod Podge clear chalkboard topcoat. You'll love how easy this is!

Step 4 – Set Chalkboard

I got a piece of chalk and rubbed it all over the chalkboard to set it. Then I wiped it down with a piece of cloth.

Step 5 – Line Tray with Paper and Mod Podge

I wanted to add a “pop” of color to the tray with some scrapbook paper. I cut the paper in half then sized it to fit the bottom of the tray.

I pulled out my “handy dandy” Furniture Matte Mod Podge. I added a layer to the bottom of the tray then gently placed my scrapbook paper on top. I rubbed out any of the bubbles.

Then I added some Mod Podge on top. Let it dry for 30 minutes.

Step 6 – Add Your Rope

Too add an extra touch to the easel I used some decorative rope. Rope is always a perfect nautical touch, right?!

I measured it out, then hot glued into place.

Finishing Touches

I’m SO happy with how my IKEA Easel makeover turned out. I made a cute little banner for it (I’ll see how long that lasts “-“) and now I’m ready to put it in my sons room!!

See how excited he is about his IKEA easel makeover!! Plus I think the chalkboard works better then before.

Love the before and after picture!

After I made this chalkboard over I went to a thrift store and found another one. So I’ll give that one a makeover for one of my other boys.

Just so everyone knows I LOVE this clear chalkboard topcoat. I plan on making a chalkboard for myself now. Maybe a light coral color for my office!

If you enjoyed this easel makeover, I’d love for you to check out these other projects: