Easy DIY Chalk Paint Recipe (Latex Paint & Plaster of Paris)

Hi guys! Here’s the easy DIY Chalk Paint Recipe I use to mix Latex Paint and Plaster of Paris into beautiful furniture paint.

DIY Chalk Paint Recipe

Chalk paint is great for furniture and home decor makeovers but sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect color and can be pretty expensive.

BUT, luckily, it’s really easy and cheap to mix up your own using latex paint, plaster of Paris, and a little water.

In this tutorial, have the easy steps and tips to make your own chalk paint at home.

Watch the How to Make Chalk Paint Video

Watch this short video to see how I mix up this DIY Chalk Paint Recipe, tips for adjusting the recipe, and why I love using chalk paint on furniture.

Keep scrolling for the written steps.

What you Need

• Water-based Latex Paint
• warm to hot water
• Plaster of Paris Dry Mix

Follow me on Instagram for DIY project sneak peeks and quick how-to videos. Now, let’s get to the steps for this DIY Chalk Paint Recipe.

Latex Paint and Plaster of Paris Recipe Steps

Step One

Start with about a tablespoon of plaster of Paris in a disposable cup. Break up any balls or chunks of the plaster into a powder.

Step Two

Add about a tablespoon of warm to hot tap water to the Plaster of Paris and stir to dissolve the powder.

Step Three

The last step for this easy DIY Chalk Paint Recipe is to pour the dissolved mix into about a cup of a water-based Latex Paint and stir until mixed.

Let that sit for a few minutes to see how the plaster of Paris has reacted with the paint.

Generally, my paint is ready to use at this point. But, latex paint dries out and thickens with time and can sometimes need extra water.

Also, different brands sell different thicknesses of latex paint. No worries, it’s easy enough to fix.

What if my DIY Chalk Paint is too thick or watery?

Sometimes the mix might be too thick to spread, just add a little tap water to get a consistency that is easy to spread.

Sometimes the chalk paint mix is a bit too watery or thin. In this case, mix more plaster of Paris with less hot water this time to thicken your mix.

Just make sure the plaster of Paris is dissolved before adding it to your paint.

Which sheen of Latex Paint to Use for DIY Chalk Paint?

I think homemade chalk paint looks best with the medium sheen (usually called Eggshell) of lower.

But, I have used higher sheen paints, like trim paint, with this DIY Chalk Paint Recipe.

It will work, but the finish looks slightly shiny. So, I usually give it a pretty top coat with something like General Finishes Flat Out Flat.

That top coat always looks and feels like a store-bought furniture finish.

Why Do I Use Chalk Paint on Furniture?

I love using Chalk Paint for furniture, home decor, and cabinets because it cures (hardens) fast. Latex paint is designed for walls. It works perfectly there.

But, on furniture, it can take days, if not weeks, to fully cure (harden).

Just adding that little bit of Plaster of Paris dissolved in water to make this DIY Chalk Paint Recipe helps that Latex Paint dry and cure fast enough for use on furniture.

And, since chalk paint does dry so fast, that makes it easy to sand too.

Sanding latex paint can be tough. It’s sort of plastic-y and stretchy, so when you sand it it can peel instead.

I like to lightly sand chalk paint to make the finish feel velvety soft.

And, sometimes I go for deeper sanding to get a distressed, layered paint look. So, sanding is essential for me.

Well, that’s it. Have fun mixing up your own DIY Chalk Paint Recipe with Latex Paint and Plaster of Paris.

If you love furniture makeovers and want some inspo for makeover ideas, check out these DIY Furniture Makeover videos here, on my YouTube channel. 🙂

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You might also like this easy DIY Blue Distressed Chalk Paint Makeover.

I love this pretty DIY White and Grey Distressed Chalk Paint Look.

This DIY Gray Chalk Paint Furniture Makeover turned out so beautiful too!

And, here’s How to Stain Wood Furniture without Stripping It.

You might also like this easy tutorial to whiten your grout.

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That’s it for this DIY Chalk Paint Recipe. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.