Are you excited to repaint your walls? Are you looking for a touch of an antique aesthetic? Or, maybe you've gotten your hands on a beautiful furniture set that needs a bit of love. If so, then put away the primer. Chalk paint is a water-based alternative to latex paint. It offers a distinct aged finish and faster drying times.
We've found some of the 10 best chalk paints available based on quality, color, dry-time, and, of course, the overall matte finish. The Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint from Rust-Oleum takes our number one spot for all the aforementioned qualities as well as easy application. In addition to our top 10, check out our buying guide for all your future chalk purchases. There's even a section on how to make your own DIY chalk paint!
Grab your brushes and take a peek at our top 10 picks for chalk paint. Every chalk paint on this list is top of the line. So get ready to paint the town matte red!
Charcoal
$18.36
Available sizes | 30 oz. |
---|---|
Available colors | 11 |
Weight | 2.5 lbs. |
Coverage | 150 sq. ft. |
Mediterranean, 32 oz.
$38.99
Available sizes | 8 oz., 32 oz. |
---|---|
Available colors | 25 |
Weight | 2.74 lbs. |
Coverage | 140 sq. ft. |
Liquorice, 32 oz.
$34.95
Available sizes | 16 oz., 32 oz. |
---|---|
Available colors | 35 |
Weight | Not provided |
Coverage | Not provided |
Snow, 32 oz.
$29.99
Available sizes | 16 oz, 32 oz, 1 gal. |
---|---|
Available colors | 41 |
Weight | 3.4 lbs. |
Coverage | 90 sq. ft. |
Toasted Poppyseed, 12 oz.
$6.97
Available sizes | 12 oz., 32 oz. |
---|---|
Available colors | 11 |
Weight | Not provided |
Coverage | 60 sq. ft. |
Antique White, 35 oz.
$39.95
Available sizes | 8.7 oz., 35 oz. |
---|---|
Available colors | 37 |
Weight | 3.52 lbs |
Coverage | Not provided |
Noir, 32 oz.
$39.67
Available sizes | 4 oz, 32 oz. |
---|---|
Available colors | 42 |
Weight | Not provided |
Coverage | 150 sq. |
Misty Gray, 33 oz.
$19.98
Available sizes | 33 oz, aerosol can. |
---|---|
Available colors | 19 |
Weight | 2.99 lbs. |
Coverage | Not provided |
PROMOFAHDC
$23.51
Available sizes | Nine 2 oz bottles. |
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Available colors | 9 |
Weight | 1.2 lbs. |
Coverage | Not provided |
Rock/Grey
$11.40
Available sizes | 118 ml |
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Available colors | 29 |
Weight | 4.2 oz. |
Coverage | Not provided |
Image | 1 ![]() Rust-Oleum | 2 ![]() Heirloom Traditions Paint | 3 ![]() Country Chic Paint | 4 ![]() Retique It | 5 ![]() KILZ | 6 ![]() Shabby Chic | 7 ![]() Jolie Paint | 8 ![]() Krylon | 9 ![]() FolkArt | 10 ![]() Rayher Hobby |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint | Finish-All-in-One Paint | Clay-Based Paint | Furniture & Cabinet Paint | Chalk Spray Paint | Chalk Based Furniture Paint | Matte Finish Paint | Chalky Finish Paint | Ultra Matte Chalk Finish Acrylic Craft Paint Set | Chalky Finish Paint |
Features | A Chalk Paint for Any Surface | A Multi-Functional Chalk Paint With Lots of Colors | A Variety of Colors and Sizes for Any Project | A Variety of Paint Options for Tackling Big Projects | Check Out This Interior Only Chalk Paint | Give Your Home a Distinct Vintage Appeal | Chalk Paint With Unique Colors and Short Prep Time | Available as an Aerosol Spray for Unique Projects | Pick a Color for Every Mood With This Chalk Paint Set | Apply a Light, Distressed Effect to More Than Just Furniture |
Price | $18.36 | $38.99 | $34.95 | $29.99 | $6.97 | $39.95 | $39.67 | $19.98 | $23.51 | $11.40 |
Available sizes | 30 oz. | 8 oz., 32 oz. | 16 oz., 32 oz. | 16 oz, 32 oz, 1 gal. | 12 oz., 32 oz. | 8.7 oz., 35 oz. | 4 oz, 32 oz. | 33 oz, aerosol can. | Nine 2 oz bottles. | 118 ml |
Available colors | 11 | 25 | 35 | 41 | 11 | 37 | 42 | 19 | 9 | 29 |
Weight | 2.5 lbs. | 2.74 lbs. | Not provided | 3.4 lbs. | Not provided | 3.52 lbs | Not provided | 2.99 lbs. | 1.2 lbs. | 4.2 oz. |
Coverage | 150 sq. ft. | 140 sq. ft. | Not provided | 90 sq. ft. | 60 sq. ft. | Not provided | 150 sq. | Not provided | Not provided | Not provided |
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When you're searching for chalk paint, you may come across chalkboard paint instead. Despite their similar-sounding names, these two products are entirely different! Remember to double-check the product information before adding paint to your cart.
There are a number of different “chalky” paints on the market that offer varying consistencies. Here's some information to keep in mind when it’s time to repaint your walls, furniture, or cabinetry to give it that distinct, well-aged allure.
It can be tricky to distinguish the benefits of any given chalk-based paint. In fact, companies will often tout the general benefits of chalk-based paint as being unique to their brand. Take them to the matte (pun intended) so you don’t get duped by clever marketing!
Chalk paint will always have a matte finish, which is one of the reasons it works so well for furniture. That and the fact that it’s easy to smooth, buff, and apply. The gradient of the matte will depend mainly on the use of wax and to a lesser extent, the manufacturer.
If you want to obtain that sweet, sweet slightly shiny semi-matte finish, then extra wax and buffing may be required.
Chalk paint is famously easy to distress. Through the use of graded sandpaper, you can achieve a distressed look on any surface fairly soon after painting.
For the most part, distressing is broken down into three techniques: wet distressing, resist distressing, and dry distressing. There are a few more advanced techniques for distressing, but in the end, it comes down to preference.
So, if you're looking for just the right color and happen to find a chalk paint that doesn't specify that it can be distressed, fret not! Whether it's specified or not, that signature farm-house chic can be achieved with any chalk paint.
Little to no prep time is one of the stand-out qualities of chalk paint. This is also one of the reasons it's so beginner friendly. For the most part, you can get to painting the second you pop the lid on chalk paint.
It doesn’t require any primers and it’s easy to clean up since it's water-soluble. Although, it's good practice to apply a light coat or two of wax as a protectant.
Chalk paint, because of how it's made, has a low VOC (volatile organic compounds). A side effect of its low toxicity is that it's almost odorless. Chalk paint is great for those of us with allergies or those that get headaches from the smell of latex paint. Remember, chalk paint is not the same as chalkboard paint, chalkboard paint is highly toxic.
Many companies include how much the paint covers in their product description. It's also wise to remember that chalk paint left in the can only last for approx a year. While it can last longer in the right conditions, the inventor of chalk paint herself recommends use within a year.
So, if you only plan to repaint your antique chair or a row of cabinets and considering chalk paint only requires one to two layers then buying a gallon may be biting off more than you can paint.
We consider coverage a pretty big factor in any paint worth buying. This is why we include the square feet coverage under each product. For your own reference, the average wall is about 120 square feet. This means you'd need approx a 32 ounce can to get the job done.
Buying paint is always a bit risky since the color on the can and the color once the paint has dried can differ quite a bit. This can be a serious game changer if you're painting with a certain color palette in mind.
Another risk is that the color of the paint can be different from the color on your monitor. So to recap, there are three different colors; the actual color of the paint, the color of the can, and the color on your monitor. Check out reviews to find the chalk paints that are true-to-can.
If you're a bit of a DIYer or just looking to pass the time at home then making your own chalk paint is definitely an option. Making your own chalk paint is fairly easy but it does require a few specialized items.
You'll need Plaster of Paris (also known as gypsum plaster), flat latex paint, stir sticks, cool water, and a couple of empty paint cans. You'll want to mix a cup of the flat latex paint with 1/3 cup of water and 1/3 cup of the plaster. Then stir until smooth.
That's it! You've got a DIY can of distressable, matte finish, chalk paint, courtesy of Lowe's tutorial.
Check out our other home decor articles to find items with both style and functionality for your humble abode.
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