Welcome to the Thomas guide to the best chalk paint 2024. Thomas has been connecting North American industrial buyers and suppliers for more than 120 years. When you purchase products through our independent recommendations, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Despite common misconceptions, chalk paint isn’t only for DIY chalkboards, but is instead a specialized paint for furniture or other decorative items. Like its namesake, it delivers a stylish and much-sought-after matte, chalk-like finish that looks great on, among other things, walls and furniture. Chalk paint is typically made from calcium carbonate, talc, and pigment, and is particularly loved for giving furniture vintage charm (though it can be used for a modern makeover, too).
Chalk paint is designed to be sticky, meaning there is no need to sand and prime furniture first. It is also water-based, which means you can then clean surfaces, brushes, and spills with just soap and water as opposed to mineral spirits. It’s quick-drying, too, meaning that it often needs just an hour to dry between coats.
Chalk paint is great for transforming tired furniture such as chairs, dressers, and kitchen cabinets, but can also be used to paint an entire wall. In fact, chalk paint is known for its ability to adhere to a wide range of surfaces, including wood, metal, glass, and plastic, making it surprisingly versatile. There are many different colors available, too.
Here is a list of the top chalk paint available to buy, followed by a buying guide to help you select the best chalk paint for your needs.
Whether you’re looking for the best chalk paint on the market, or an affordable option which still delivers, our list has chalk paints suitable for almost every project.
Best Overall: Shabby Chic Chalked Furniture Paint | Buy Now
Best Spray: Krylon Chalky Finish Spray Paint | Buy Now
Best Easy-to-Use: Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Acrylic Paint | Buy Now
Best Color Options: Annie Sloan Chalk Paint | Buy Now
Best Coverage: Retique It Chalk Furniture Paint | Buy Now
Best Eco-Friendly: RECOLOR Recycled Interior Matte Finish Latex Paint | Buy Now
Best for Cabinets: Country Chic Chalk Paint | Buy Now
Best Fast-Drying: Jolie Paint Matte Finish Paint | Buy Now
Best Value: FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Furniture & Craft Acrylic Paint | Buy Now
Best Chalk Paint Brush: Modern Art Supplies Chalk and Wax Paint Brush | Buy Now
Scroll down to read more about these top picks for the best chalk paints from the best chalk paint brands, according to many happy buyers.
*Prices listed in this article were as shown in US$ on amazon.com (USA), and anniesloan.com as of April 2023
1. Best Overall—Shabby Chic Chalked Furniture Paint
For that highly sought-after vintage aesthetic, Shabby Chic Chalked Furniture Paint will transform old furnishings whilst giving a desirably distressed finish. The chalk-based paint can be used on a range of different surfaces including wooden furniture, metal, plastic, brick, stone, and plaster.
What’s more, the formula is non-toxic with ultra-low VOC. Customers loved how a little product goes a long way and it offers excellent coverage. It gives a delightfully velvety matte finish and the color is smooth and without leaving brush marks.
There is a great selection of neutral colors to choose from and promises little to no prep work on wood (just a clean beforehand). “I’m very happy with this furniture paint,” wrote one customer. “I anticipate that this brand will be my new go-to. It goes on evenly and beautifully. A little goes a long way.”
Specifications
Size: 250 ml
Colors available: 17
BUY NOW: US$17.97, Amazon
Also Available at: Walmart
2. Best Spray—Krylon Chalky Finish Spray Paint
For an easy application and seamless finish, Krylon Chalky Finish Spray Paint quickly achieves a matte, vintage look on various surfaces such as wood, metal, glass, and ceramic. It’s highly-rated thanks to giving great coverage in just one coat—no prep or primer required.
A big benefit of the spray chalk paint is its super fast drying and allows for a smooth finish without brush strokes. Some customers have pointed out the importance of furniture being properly sealed afterward with a clear coat, or it can be easily scratched or damaged.
All in all, it’s great for quick DIY projects with minimal effort. “The mink is a great color,” enthused one customer. “This was my first time using spray paint chalk paint and I really like the look! The paint goes on smooth, it took two cans to do this piece since it was black.”
Specifications
Size: 350 ml
Colors available: 15
BUY NOW: US$9.98, Amazon
Also Available at: Walmart and Lowe’s
3. Best Easy-To-Use—Rust-Oleum Ultra Matte Interior Chalked Acrylic Paint
For achieving the popular shabby chic look, the Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint dries to a covetable chalky matte finish. The water-based paint is low-odor and adheres well to a variety of surfaces without the need for prep work or priming. Like most chalk paints, it’s incredibly durable and doesn’t chip, fade or peel.
Rust-Oleum is one of the more affordable chalk paints on the market which makes it a great option to experiment with. The brand recommends that one coat is often enough for most surfaces, but you can apply as many as five coats to achieve your desired look.
One customer shared how they were initially nervous to start their first project but were surprised at how easy it was to use. They wrote, “So happy with the paint. It’s honestly so easy to use. I easily sanded down areas after it dried to add a distressed look. I also added some areas for a more covered look.”
Specifications
Size: 887 ml
Colors available: 14
BUY NOW: US$24.51, Amazon
Also Available at: Walmart
4. Best Color Options—Annie Sloan Chalk Paint
British artist Annie Sloan invented her revolutionary furniture paint, Chalk Paint®, in 1990 and since then many other brands have tried to replicate her formula. Though she’s trademarked the term, it is used generally in reference to chalk-style furniture paints.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paints can be pricey but are known and loved for being highly-pigmented, hard-wearing, and working on almost any surface. They provide excellent coverage and are available in plenty of pretty hues—from French Linen (a cool neutral) to Rodmell (a dusty purple).
The brand promises no sanding or priming required; simply pop open the tin and dip in your brush. You can also order sample pots to test out a color before getting started. “Good quality, even coverage, solid color,” wrote one customer who used the shade Rodmell. “Looks a bit pricey at first but a little goes a long way.”
Specifications
Size: 1 L
Colors available: 44
BUY NOW: US$45, Annie Sloan
5. Best Coverage—Retique It Chalk Furniture Paint
For superior coverage (usually one or two coats), Reique It Chalk Furniture Paint has amazing adherence to a range of surfaces, especially furniture, cabinets, and home decor. The thick paint gives an even, self-leveling coverage that dries in just 30 minutes.
It’s available in plenty of cozy neutral hues, including Greystone and Naples Yellow. This acrylic paint is also safe to use in the home thanks to its low VOCs and zero emissions. The low-VOC formula also helps the paint to dry quickly and it has virtually no odor.
“I have found a new favorite chalk paint,” wrote one reviewer. “I have been looking for a chalk paint that covers well but comes in bright colors. I took a chance when I ordered this but I am in love! The color on my phone is exactly the color that I received. It paints smoothly and is beautiful. I have already ordered more colors.”
Specifications
Size: 946 ml
Colors available: 15
BUY NOW: US$34.99, Amazon
Also Available at: Walmart
6. Best Eco-Friendly—RECOLOR Recycled Interior Matte Finish Latex Paint
An eco-friendly option for those concerned about reducing their environmental impact, RECOLOR Recycled Interior Matte Paint is made from recycled paint and other materials. As well as it being more sustainable than other chalk paints on the market, it’s great value with a varied color selection.
The premium-quality paints give great coverage and quickly transform everything from worn-out furniture to old fixtures. Like other chalk paints on the market, minimal prep is required and the brand recommends waiting 24 hours for surfaces to dry completely after painting.
“We used this paint on our dining room table and it turned out amazing,” shared one customer. “The paint is very forgiving to mistakes and can be corrected easily. Covers great. Definitely will buy again.”
Specifications
Size: 946 ml
Colors available: 15
BUY NOW: US$26.99, Amazon
7. Best for Cabinets—Country Chic Chalk Paints
A splash of Country Chic Chalk paint will quickly add personality back into worn-out furniture and cabinets. The chalk paint quickly adheres to a ton of indoor and outdoor surfaces including kitchen cabinets, upholstery, craft projects, as well as metal, glass, kids’ toys, and more.
It has a built-in primer and top coat in its paint formula, so users can paint directly onto any surface. The chalk paint dries in 30 minutes and is self-leveling for a flawlessly smooth finish. As well as looking good, the product is low odor and ultra-low VOC with no harsh chemicals-ideal for indoor projects and family homes.
“I used this for my table and the coverage was great and so easy to use,” wrote one customer. “It definitely needs a top coat to protect during use/cleaning. Color was beautiful and one jar was enough for a table and four chairs with some left for touch-ups. When I’m ready to change the color, I’m buying this brand again!”
Specifications
Size: 473 ml
Colors available: 15
BUY NOW: US$28.95, Amazon
Also Available at: Walmart
8. Best Fast-Drying—Jolie Paint Matte Finish Paint
For high-quality chalk paint which dries in 30 minutes without sacrificing quality, Jolie Paint Matte Finish Paint has been rated five stars for being easy to use and for a speedy dry down. The ‘do everything’ paints can be used in a whole host of ways including updating furniture, floors, and surfaces.
The chalk paints are non-toxic and available in different colors and sizes to equip you for the project ahead. The brand recommends using a top coat on most projects to seal and protect your finish. Similarly to other chalk paints, they are easy to clean away, just use water and soap to ensure brushes (and mistakes) are spotless.
“I purchased a few Jolie paints as well as a cheaper brand on Amazon,” shared one reviewer. “The Jolie paint totally outperformed the two other brands. It was truly one coat. And has a smooth velvety finish with wonderful coverage.”
Specifications
Size: 473 ml
Colors available: 17
BUY NOW: US$29,95, Amazon
9. Best Value—FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Furniture & Craft Acrylic Paint
For a slightly cheaper acrylic-based chalk paint, FolkArt Chalk Furniture Paint is highly pigmented and delivers a beautiful, ultra-matte finish. It’s water washable and can be used on virtually any surface including glass, wood, and metal. In addition, this chalk paint needs minimal prep to get started.
As an extra perk, it’s easy to distress and can be layered and sanded to give you a perfect vintage look. Despite the affordable price point, it’s been highly rated online with some customers even likening this paint to Anne Sloan’s famous chalk paint; one wrote that they “can’t tell the difference.”
“This is great paint,” wrote a reviewer. “It’s thick and creamy, but not too thick to spread easily and evenly. For most of my projects, I only needed one coat of this paint. I’m very happy with it and I would recommend this product.”
Specifications
Size: 946 ml
Colors available: 6
BUY NOW: US$18.95, Amazon
Also Available at: Walmart
10. Best Chalk Paint Brush—Modern Art Supplies Chalk and Wax Paint Brush
High-quality tools make all the difference in DIY projects and this two-pack of brushes from Modern Art Supplies is a great set to add to your arsenal. The set includes a large chalk paint brush for wax chalk paint and a small round paint brush to help tackle an array of painting tasks.
The brushes are made with premium natural bristles which helps paint glide expertly for a flawless finish. Customers loved the price point and shared how they were easy to wash after use. The retailer recommended that each type of paint used has its own dedicated brush to attain perfect paint work.
“I have used both of the brushes and both have been great,” explained one customer. “They are easy to work with and easy to clean, price-wise also have been good, since in retail stores you have to pay the same price or more for only the big one. I would definitely recommend this product.”
Specifications
Size: Two-pack, 2.5 inches
BUY NOW: US$15.97, Amazon
Choosing a top-rated chalk paint is easy when there are so many reliable and high-coverage choices. Whether it’s one with minimal drying time like Jolie Paint’s Matte Finish Paint (US$29.95, Amazon), or an eco-friendly option made from recycled paint like the RECOLOR Recycled Interior Matte Finish Latex Paint (US$26.99, Amazon), there are plenty of chalk paints on the market that will give that coveted vintage finish.
If color and design are at the forefront of your DIY project, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint (US$45, anniesloan.com) has a wide range of beautiful chalk paint hues that will quickly elevate any piece of furniture, wall, or floor.
Choosing the Best Chalk Paint—Buying Guide
There is much to consider when shopping for the best chalk paint, including drying time, finish, odor, and an ultra-low VOC as well as evaluating the project needs and your personal preference.
What to look for in a chalk paint
Here are a few criteria to consider when choosing chalk paint for painting furniture, or other projects.
Color options: Most brands stock the usual neutrals, white and black, but if you have a particular hue in mind or want something a bit different, you may want to try brands such as Annie Sloan and Shabby Chic which stock a more diverse color range.
Quality: High-quality chalk paints that are easy to use with a high coverage will not only make the at hand job easier to complete but will also ensure a more durable finish in the long term.
Price: A good chalk paint needn’t cost the earth and there are plenty of high-quality formulas that still deliver with an affordable price point, like the FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Furniture & Craft Acrylic Paint (US$18.95, Amazon) which has a five-star rating by many happy customers.
Non-toxic: like the chalk paints mentioned on the above list, it’s important to look out for a low or zero VOC confirmation to ensure it’s not toxic to the environment or humans.
How to seal chalk paint
When you apply chalk paint, it will often need to be sealed with a top coat to protect the surface and ensure the finish is durable. This minimizes the chances of peeling, scratches, and visible wear and tear. Firstly, it’s important to let the chalk paint dry completely before adding a top coat. This is usually at least 24 hours, or until it’s completely dry to the touch.
Then select a top coat to suit your project type, whether that is a varnish or wax. It’s important to check the manufacturer’s instructions to check it’s compatible with chalk paint. Take care to apply the sealer evenly over the furniture or wall, using a brush or cloth.
After applying chalk paint and a top coat, the furniture can then be sanded lightly with sandpaper to ensure a flawless finish, though it depends on the desired finish.
We hope our review of the best chalk paint has been helpful. For more suppliers of chalk painting-related products, including paint roller sets, paint sprayer sets, and other wall paint, paint brushes, ladders, and overalls, consult our additional guides, or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform.
Sources
- https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/1891/low-voc