DIY Chalkboard Frame, a Fun Easy Way To Display Photos

What makes this chalkboard frame fantastic is its few extra features. The photos can be easily changed around the board as they are attached using little Velcro sticky dots. Also, fun, cheeky tags and frames can be easily written in chalk on the chalkboard frame.

When I used to put family photos in an album, I found that they were soon forgotten. It’s even worse with digital images that seem to get lost on the computer, never to be viewed again.

Disclaimer: I promise that no original artwork was harmed in making this chalkboard frame. The picture used was a print. If it was an original painting, I would have sold it at auction and would be drinking Champagne contemplating my retirement 😂).

After a couple of big family holidays, I made big framed photo collages of them to display in the hallway.
Everyone enjoys looking at these photos, and they spark happy holiday memories. However, the images are a bit dated now and must be easily changed.

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Velcro Chalkboard Frame Photo Wall Display

There is no glass on this chalkboard frame, so it’s much easier to change and update the photos. I’ve used little Velcro stickers, so it’s easy to stick the photos to the board and move them around. As the Velcro stickers are evenly spaced, it still looks neat and orderly.

This chalkboard frame is much more fun as the kids can easily write little messages and tags on the board. Now, every so often, I send the best pictures from my phone to get printed and stick them to the board. I have found a great place that prints retro Polaroid-style photos, which add to the fun look of the chalkboard frame.

Materials Needed

Large Old Picture Frame—I picked mine up for almost nothing at my local junk shop. I got it cheaply because the picture was a bit old and naff, but that didn’t matter as I wanted the frame, not the image.

• Paint of choice for your frame and antiquing wax.
• Masking Tape
• Chalkboard paint
• Velcro sticky dots
• Photos – In the UK, I use Photobox to print my Instagram-style photos, but in the US, I believe Snapfish also do square prints.

How To Make A Chalkboard Frame

Step 1: Mask off the frame with tape and paint straight over the top of the picture with chalkboard paint. Give it at least 2 coats.

Step 2: Cover the chalkboard face with paper and paint the frame. If you follow my blog, you will probably notice a bit of a colour theme going on. I do like a bit of blue, so naturally, I decided to paint my frame blue.

Initially, I sprayed the frame turquoise blue. However, I wasn’t too keen on the finish; it was too bright and shiny even for me. I then painted over the turquoise with chalk paint in Napoleonic Blue and then added antiquing wax. I then sanded the edges so the turquoise showed through, giving a shabby chic effect.

Step 3: Once the chalkboard frame is dry, lay your photos on it to determine how many you want to display. Then, using a ruler, mark them out evenly. Stick a Velcro dot on the chalkboard frame for every photograph you want to display and on the back of each photo.

Step 4: Finish off by placing your photos on the frame. You’ll love that you can move them around quickly and write tags on the chalkboard.

Conclusion and Other Posts

I’m off on my holidays soon, so I will be printing some of the photos I take on my phone to update my chalkboard frame. The board has definitely added a bit of fun to my hallway. My teenage boys love moving the photos around and writing their own hashtags on the board.

You can also make upcycled picture frames with shoebox lids.  Check out all my ucpcycled DIY picture frame ideas here.

Another fun and unique way to display holiday photos is with this upcycled pallet map frame.