The Top 5 Chalk Paints

Chalk paint is different from regular paint, in that it doesn't require primer or prep work, blends easily, goes a lot further, and dries super quickly. What's not to love? If you're doing a DIY painting project, give this awesome type of paint a try; it's so versatile, cool, and easy to work with that you'll likely never want to go back to traditional paint. Of course, not all chalk paints are created equal, but we've done the hard work for you by selecting the top five chalk paints available. Happy DIY crafting.

Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint

The best of the best

Get that gorgeous, long-lasting chalky finish you desire with Rust-Oleum.

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Brighten up your space with Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint, which can be used on a wide variety of interior surfaces like metal, ceramic, canvas, and wood. This top-quality paint is available in several cool colors—including serenity blue, farmhouse red, charcoal, and blush pink—so you can easily customize your look. Not to mention, this paint is low-odor, dries to the touch in just 30 minutes (to a lovely, creamy finish), and allows for super-simple cleanup with soap and water. No doubt about it, Rust-Oleum Chalk Paint is the clear winner of chalk paints.

Pros:

Can be used on a wide variety of interior surfaces.
Comes in several awesomely unique colors.
Low-odor.
Very quick-drying.
Allows for easy cleanup.

Cons:

Not the cheapest chalk paint, by any means.

FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Finish

Silky-smooth and matte

For a true matte finish, look no further than FolkArt Chalk Paint.

Best Ultra-Matte Finish

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If you’d prefer a matte finish for your painting projects, you truly can’t go wrong with FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Finish. This highly touted chalk paint boasts a beautifully chalky, matte finish that’s also easy to distress, if you’re going for a more vintage-y look. It works well on decorative glass, metal, and virtually any home decor, providing rich, long-lasting color. This paint is 100 percent non-toxic, water-based, and made in the U.S.

Pros:

Dries to a wonderfully sleek, matte finish.
Requires minimal surface prep.
Super easy to distress.
Provides durable color that lasts.
Non-toxic.

Cons:

It’s just a tad too thick for our liking, so you may need to use a roller.

General Finishes Water-Based Milk Paint

A rainbow of options

In terms of gorgeous color choices, the sky's the limit with this chalk paint from General Finishes.

Best Color Choices

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Available in a rainbow’s worth of colors, General Finishes Water-Based Milk Paint will undoubtedly add a snazzy look to your furniture (or wherever you decide to use it). Some of the (many) colors you can pick from include antique white, buttermilk yellow, brick red, persimmon, dark chocolate, and more. Handily, this paint is self-sealing, does not require a topcoat, and can be applied over raw wood or prepped existing finishes. It’s also very durable, with high adhesion rated for both interior and exterior use.

Pros:

Dozens of eye-catching colors to choose from.
You can apply it over raw wood or prepped existing finishes.
Extremely durable.
Self-sealing and does not require a topcoat.

Cons:

Definitely on the expensive end.

American Crafts DIY Shop Chalkboard Paint

Darling and DIY-chic

Beautify your chalkboard (and your home) with American Crafts Chalkboard Paint.

Best for Chalkboards

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For all your DIY chalkboard needs, you’ll definitely want to pick up a bottle of American Crafts DIY Shop Chalkboard Paint. Use it to paint a fun, personalized message, make labels, or apply it like regular paint, and don’t be afraid to get creative—the best part of decorating with chalkboard paint is that there are so many fun, funky ways to use it. Conveniently, you can use this paint on all kinds of different surfaces, like walls, doors, wood, and more.

Pros:

Can be used on walls, doors, paper, wood, etc.
You can use it so many different ways: to write personalized messages, make labels, create unique artworks, or even decorate an entire wall.

Cons:

It takes awhile to dry.

Country Chic Paint Chalk-Style Paint

Liven up your home

This chalk paint from Country Chic Paint was designed specifically for furniture and home decor.

Best for Furniture

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Ready to jazz up your furniture? Then you’ll definitely need Country Chic Paint Chalk-Style Paint, which was designed specifically for furniture and home decor (though it can also be used for arts and crafts projects, too). This paint boasts wonderful adhesion to a variety of surfaces, little to no prep work, and total durability. It also contains a built-in primer and top coat, and is suitable for both indoor and outdoor projects. Low-odor, non-toxic, and certified VOC-free, Country Chic Paint contains no harsh chemicals, solvents, or heavy metals.

Pros:

Contains zero harsh chemicals.
Has great adhesion for a wide variety of surfaces.
Contains a built-in primer and top coat.
Suitable for indoor and outdoor projects.

Cons:

You may need to do multiple coats for it to stick.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chalk paint?

Chalk paint is a specialized paint that differs from regular paint, in that it bonds to pretty much any surface, doesn’t require prep work or priming, and is water-based. It can create a chalky finish, or it can manipulate existing paint into different finishes and textures, depending on the aesthetic you’re going for.

Can I use chalk paint indoors?

Yes, you can use chalk paint indoors since the paint itself doesn’t contain fumes and is non-toxic.

How should I use my chalk paint?

You can use chalk paint to paint your walls, furniture pieces, desks, or cabinets—basically anything that would benefit from a fresh coat of paint.