What is Chalk Paint?

The product can be used to paint everything from walls and wood furniture to metal and brick.

Madison Yauger is a journalist of all trades, having covered stories with news and lifestyle tilts in a variety of subject lanes. Prior to writing for Meredith brands, she worked for a human rights news agency in Cape Town, South Africa, and spent her days on foot around the city, reporting action as it unfolded. As a freelance writer, she covered health and wellness, home design, pet content, food and nutrition, travel, and many other subjects for publications such as Departures, Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, Shape, and Health. Currently, Madison writes for the performance content team within Meredith and contributes commerce stories to brands across the company. When not working, Madison enjoys spending time with family and friends, voraciously reading mystery novels, and befriending every dog in Manhattan.

Madeline Buiano is an editor at MarthaStewart.com, sharing her knowledge on a range of topics—from gardening and cleaning to home.

Courtesy of Annie Sloan

Whether you stumbled upon an antique dresser that needs a refresh or your walls are due for an update, painting can be a laborious job that requires a lot of prep work. But if you want to make your DIY projects and home remodeling jobs much easier, one solution is chalk paint. The product, which was created and trademarked by artist Annie Sloan, requires no sanding or priming and can be used on everything from wood and metal to concrete and brick. It produces a beautiful matte look that can be left as is or covered with wax or lacquer to give it a distressed appearance. Ahead, we explain what chalk paint is and how to use it.

Chalk paint has exceptional adhesive properties, meaning it can be applied to almost any surface, indoors or outdoors. "Chalk paint can be used to paint wood, it can be used to paint metal, it can be used to paint melamine, it can be used to paint flooring (brick, concrete, wood), it can be used to dye fabric, and it can even be used to paint glass," says Annie Sloan, creator of chalk paint. Chalk paint imparts a beautiful matte finish and can last for years with no top coat required.

The origins of chalk paint can be traced back to the Middle Ages when painters integrated chalk as a pigment in their paint compositions. "During this period, chalk was a commonly used substance to create whitewash, applied to both walls and furniture, demonstrating the enduring influence of this versatile paint medium," says Suzanne Fulford, owner of Dixie Belle Paint.

In the 19th century, chalk paint gave rise to a trend known as "chalk paint chic." "This style was characterized by the application of light and airy colors to furniture, coupled with intentional distressing techniques to achieve a charming vintage aesthetic," says Fulford. Its popularity continued into the early 20th century but saw a decline in the mid-20th century.

Chalk paint experienced a resurgence in popularity during the 1990s, and the term was trademarked by color expert Annie Sloan. She wanted one paint that could be used for multiple projects and required minimal prep work, so she created the first commercial formula for chalk paint. Over the years, other companies have made their own versions of chalk-style paint, branding them under names such as "chalky paint," "chalk mineral paint," "cholk paint," "chalk synthesis paint," "chalk type paint," and "chalk-style paint."

The main difference between chalk paint and other types of paint is that it requires minimal prep work beyond cleaning and degreasing your substrate. The paint can go right over whatever object you want to paint without the need for sanding or priming. Additionally, chalk paint is quite thick, meaning it is less likely to drip like other paints tend to do and can be diluted with water to achieve your desired consistency.

Since chalk-style paint requires minimal prep work, using it is very straightforward. "Give it a good stir and just start painting. There are no rules," says Sloan. There is no need to sand or prime, but if the surface of your substrate is dirty or oily, wipe it down with water before painting. "The paint is thick, so use it in coats sparingly by painting in different directions if you don't want brush marks." says Sloan. "Two coats should do it. When it's dry, which should take about two hours, you can either lacquer or wax it. The wax gives you a lovely finish, and the lacquer is more like varnish."

Chalk-style paint can be purchased from a handful of brands, but the only place to buy the original chalk paint is from Annie Sloan. Chalk-style paints include Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint and BEHR Chalk Decorative Paint from Home Depot or Krylon Chalky Paint from Lowe's. Additionally, Dixie Belle Paint sells its own version of the paint under the name Chalk Mineral Paint.