The Functional And Inspiring Closet Door Upgrade Your Child's Bedroom Needs

Kids are creative. From playing with imaginary playmates to building pillow forts, kids create new things every day. As parents, we want to encourage that creativity ... except when it comes to drawing on the walls. Erasing crayon marks from your wall is a milestone for most parents, and one most would prefer doesn't happen again. So how do you keep nurturing that artistic creativity while keeping your walls scribble-free? Apply chalkboard paint on their closet doors.

Chalkboard paint is a durable paint that, when dry, can be written on with chalk, creating a great creative outlet for kids of all ages. Plus, it's truly functional: besides allowing kids of all ages to draw and color, younger children can practice their letters and numbers or learn responsibility with a chore chart. Older kids can track to-dos or allowance savings so they know when they have enough to buy that treat. It also allows parents to add reminders or even countdowns to big events, like birthdays or family vacations, in a place your kid will always see.

First things first: get your paint. You can DIY chalkboard paint with two simple ingredients or head to your local hardware store. There are a lot of chalkboard paint options out there, but if you're concerned about fumes, look for non-VOC or nontoxic. Water-based chalkboard paint is one of the safest options, but make sure to properly ventilate the room while painting.

And remember, you don't have to go with black chalkboard paint. While it's the most popular — and therefore the most common — many paint lines now carry different colors, and some hardware stores will tint white chalkboard paint for you. While you're at the hardware store, pick up fine sandpaper if you're painting wood doors, painter's tape, and a dense foam roller. If you're painting a non-wood door, check the paint's label. Some chalkboard paints, like Rust-Oleum Specialty 30 ounce Black Chalkboard Paint, work on varied materials.

When you're ready to paint, take the closet door off its hinges, lay it flat, and wipe it clean. Mark out your paint areas with painter's tape. If you're painting on wood, sand it down, then wipe off the dust. Using the dense foam roller, paint two layers of chalkboard paint, allowing it to dry in between. Some paint experts recommend three layers to make sure it's thick enough to withstand years of writing and wiping off. Check your paint label to see how long it needs to dry, then rub a thin layer of chalk over the surface to "season" it. Wipe it off, rehang the doors, and you're done!

Let's be honest: chalk is messy. Those of us who went to school with chalkboards instead of whiteboards remember wiping away the dust on our fingers after trudging up to the front of the class to solve a math problem. So how do you keep the mess at bay? There's a few options. You can pick up a washable play mat like MioTetto 36-Tile Soft Non-Toxic one and lay it in front of the closet to catch the falling dust. Ensure it's thin enough that it won't get in the way of the closet door. Or, keep a pack of wipes nearby to help contain the mess. If your kids are older, chalk markers like Chalkola's White Chalk Markers are a great, mess-free option. Plus, these chalk markers can help create simple holiday decor that elevates your windows inside and out.

Because chalk can be a choking hazard for young kids, it's important to store it properly. If you have concerns, keep it out of your child's room and only bring it out when you can supervise. If you're comfortable with your children keeping chalk in their rooms, repurpose a Command Picture Ledge into an easy chalk shelf. Or, install a Command hook and hang a small bucket from it with the chalk, erasers, and wipes. If you have a magnetic pencil cup, add a layer of magnetic primer before applying the chalkboard paint. This way, you can attach the pencil cup right to the closet door and even hang some of your kid's favorite art or photos off the closet door.