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!
Quick List - Top Chalk Paints
Heirloom Traditions Paint
A Multi-Functional Chalk Paint With Lots of Colors
Country Chic Paint
A Variety of Colors and Sizes for Any Project
Retique It
A Variety of Paint Options for Tackling Big Projects
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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.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint|Charcoal | ![]() | A Chalk Paint for Any Surface | |
2 | Heirloom Traditions Paint Finish-All-in-One Paint|Mediterranean, 32 oz. | ![]() | A Multi-Functional Chalk Paint With Lots of Colors | |
3 | Country Chic Paint Clay-Based Paint|Liquorice, 32 oz. | ![]() | A Variety of Colors and Sizes for Any Project | |
4 | Retique It Furniture & Cabinet Paint|Snow, 32 oz. | ![]() | A Variety of Paint Options for Tackling Big Projects | |
5 | KILZ Chalk Spray Paint|Toasted Poppyseed, 12 oz. | ![]() | Check Out This Interior Only Chalk Paint | |
6 | Shabby Chic Chalk Based Furniture Paint|Antique White, 35 oz. | ![]() | Give Your Home a Distinct Vintage Appeal | |
7 | Jolie Paint Matte Finish Paint |Noir, 32 oz. | ![]() | Chalk Paint With Unique Colors and Short Prep Time | |
8 | Krylon Chalky Finish Paint|Misty Gray, 33 oz. | ![]() | Available as an Aerosol Spray for Unique Projects | |
9 | FolkArt Ultra Matte Chalk Finish Acrylic Craft Paint Set | PROMOFAHDC | ![]() | Pick a Color for Every Mood With This Chalk Paint Set | |
10 | Rayher Hobby Chalky Finish Paint|Rock/Grey | ![]() | Apply a Light, Distressed Effect to More Than Just Furniture |
The Rust-Oluem line of chalk paint has been setting the bar for non-Annie Sloan, chalk paint for years. It's available in a 30-ounce container, so it's perfect for any large project. It's also made in a low-odor formula for a less smelly painting experience.
Painters loved that this paint goes on easy and dries fast! Most reviews stated they'd only needed one or two coats to transform their walls and furniture. There are negative reviews due to some purchases of the linen white and the clear coat paints leaving a yellowish finish on some furniture, though.
Overall, this paint takes top place for its high quality and easy application. As a bonus, it can be ordered with a brush and even comes with a free refund as an added guarantee.
The Heirloom Traditions Paint series is made with furniture in mind. Since it's an all-in-one product, it functions as a primer, wax coat, and topcoat all in one! If you're looking for a paint to finish walls or furniture with minimal effort, this is it.
A lot of reviewers are into the patented low luster matte finish that makes refurbished furniture look brand new. It also has a "self-leveling" factor. So in a perfect world, no sanding or smoothing is required.
The bad news is that some painters weren't fans of the learning curve for this paint. Because of the added factors for color, topcoat, and self-leveling, this paint is known to take a more refined painting application for maximum use.
While this paint may not be the absolute best for beginners, most reviewers love the finished look. Additionally, it can actually be applied to fabrics and leathers to give this chalk paint a little more function.
Country Chic's chalk paint lines come in a vast variety of colors and sizes and it dries within 30 minutes. This primer-and-paint combo is also made without harmful chemicals like phthalates, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and more, so it's safe for the whole family!
Most reviewers praised the finished colors and the wide selection of vintage shades. However, there's negative press for the paint durability. Painters say that the finish chips and scratches easily. This is an issue for painters that desire a sleek, smooth finish.
On the bright side, many buyers highlighted the coverage and minimal prep times for this chalk paint. They were able to achieve their perfect look after only a few coats. Reviewers also loved that the watery texture of this paint made it easy to work with.
The Retique It paint collection comes in gallon sizes and offers add-ons that come with a top coat and two unique brushes or, alternatively, two wax coats and three unique brushes. It's specifically made for furniture and cabinets, so you can spruce up an old piece in no time.
A lot of reviewers loved how far this paint stretches. Even reviewers who were tackling larger projects stated that it only took one to two coats to get the job done. Some also liked that the paint was almost odorless.
Here's the catch, though: there are painters who were less than impressed with the finished shades of certain colors, namely Midnight Black, some browns, and certain blues. But overall, many were impressed with the kit options and easy application.
The KILZ chalk paint has a little bit of everything you want from a quality can of chalk paint. Reviewers loved the smooth finish this paint provides. They also liked how thick this paint is in comparison to its watery alternatives. That means little goes a long way.
This chalk paint does take quite a few coats to completely cover brightly colored projects. Reviewers applied upwards of three coats before achieving the desired results.
In the end, this chalk paint offers the versatility that chalk paint is known for as it can be applied to almost any surface and has a solid color selection. This chalk paint also comes in larger sizes for painting a room or wall.
Don't let the "furniture" paint label fool you. This chalk paint by Shabby Chic can be applied to virtually any surface (like most chalk paint). Reviewers liked that the paint was easy to distress, affordable, and has a flat matte finish.
But the downside is that reviewers had a lot to say about how watery the paint is and how many coats it takes to really set in. They also had poor experiences with colors, as the colors tend to be darker or lighter than expected once dried.
All in all, reviewers enjoyed the even finish and long-term durability this chalk paint offers.
Jolie's chalk paint is water-based, which means it's easy to clean up spills. This particular paint also has sample sizes available to try before you commit.
Painters and refurbishers enjoyed the short drying time and the smooth matte finish. But no product is perfect and reviewers were not fans of certain shades like black, teal, and blue which were either not as vibrant or as dark as they would've liked.
While you can't win'em all, this particular chalk paint did win most of them thanks to its texture, consistency, and little-to-no prep time. Reviewers also noted that the paint finish is durable and goes on smoothly.
This is the only chalk paint on the list that can be bought in an aerosol can for the same chalky finish. Also, it's worth noting that there are beaucoups of additional colors for the aerosol!
Users of this chalk paint absolutely loved how accurate the finished colors were. They stated it was easy to apply, dry, and the coverage was good. A few painters also noted how thick this paint.
The negative reviews for this paint are focused more around the aerosol can nozzle coming damaged, and how chalk flakes in the can might affect breathing. It is advised to wear proper protective equipment when dealing with aerosol fumes in general.
For the most part, reviewers appreciated the color, short drying time, and the fact many only needed one to two coats to revamp their projects.
The FolkArt chalk paint set comes with nine different colors to choose from! Perfect for multi-piece projects. These chalk paints are great for beginners, those trying to find the right shade, and those working on smaller projects.
Reviewers enjoyed the light colors and the bright matte finish. They also liked that the paint has great coverage and some refurbishers made a habit of adding a little water to stretch the paint even further.
Some reviewers rated the product lower for the small, two-ounce, bottles as they'd expected more chalk paint. To be clear, this entry isn't for repainting a wall or armoire. Reviewers that knew what to expect enjoyed the variety and how quickly this chalk paint dries.
This chalk paint can be applied to any surface and is available in a multitude of colors. However, the smaller available sizes mean this chalk paint may not be ideal for painting larger projects.
Painters liked the sleek finish and fast drying time of this paint. The overall finish is stated to revitalize old furniture. They also liked the coverage as most projects were completed with only a couple of coats.
However, reviewers were disappointed with the colors once dried and the watery consistency of the paint. Still, most refurbishers liked the matte finish and simple clean-up.
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.
No. 1: Rust-Oleum|Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Paint|Charcoal
No. 2: Heirloom Traditions Paint|Finish-All-in-One Paint|Mediterranean, 32 oz.
No. 3: Country Chic Paint|Clay-Based Paint|Liquorice, 32 oz.
No. 4: Retique It|Furniture & Cabinet Paint|Snow, 32 oz.
No. 5: KILZ|Chalk Spray Paint|Toasted Poppyseed, 12 oz.
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