A chalkboard wall and toddler reading corner

July 22, 2014

How to make a chalkboard wall and toddler reading corner

Eliza’s room is probably my favourite place in the house. We wanted to make it bright, eclectic, colourful and as fun as possible for her.

You can see her Ikea spice-rack shelves and painted cupboard and doors, but here’s her cosy reading corner and blackboard wall. It’s in a recessed area by the chimney breast which wouldn’t have been used for anything, but was a perfect-sized toddler space.

The cloud mobile and rainbow cushion were from a shop in Crystal Palace, and were the first things I bought when I found out I was pregnant. The other cushions are Ikea and the lining is a cot quilt we never used. Guppo the Gruffalo was a present from the new house.

We also painted the wall with blackboard paint, so she can sit and draw. This was a fairly quick job with two layers of paint. We all use it a lot, for scribbles and interesting ‘interpretations’ of Peppa and the like.

In terms of the rest of the house, we’re currently minus a kitchen, but we’re also rid of the awful wallpaper. So there’s just everything else to finish (we can do it before October…right?!)

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12 Comments

  • Polly

    July 22, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Love this nook!! We have two giant chalkboard walls in the garden, but keep thinking we need one in the house too!!

  • lori

    July 22, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    It looks great! We have made a chalk board wall for F and he loves scribbling all over it πŸ™‚ x

  • Kathryn (@KatGotTheCream)

    July 23, 2014 at 10:46 am

    This looks great. I’ve just experimented with chalkboard paint on my 8 year old’s bedroom door and it worked a treat. I’m working my way up to a whole wall. I’d love to do something like this in my girls’ room too πŸ™‚

  • Mummy’s to do list

    July 23, 2014 at 1:14 pm

    Love this and tempted to invest in some of those Ikea spice rack shelves for our place – such a great hack! We desperately need to find some clever toy storage solutions for small spaces as our house is now starting to feel a little claustrophobic with all the extra gear now baby number two is here. Plus Little Miss is much better at getting everything out than she is at tidying anything away!

  • fritha

    July 23, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    oh what a sweet little spot! I love that she has a reading corner, we also have a chalk board wall or rather door to the airing cupboard in the hall way. The only issue is W gets a bit happy with then chalking the rest of the walls.. x

  • Vicky

    July 25, 2014 at 4:10 pm

    What a lovely cosy little corner – especially love the rainbow cushion!

  • KarenAnita

    July 25, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    So cute! I think I’d be tempted to use this space myself once kids are asleep πŸ˜‰ x

  • Antonia Ludden

    July 26, 2014 at 7:49 pm

    So cute! It is widely accepted that I am addicted to chalkboard walls πŸ™‚ #loveyourhome

  • lifewithmunchers

    July 28, 2014 at 9:58 pm

    OMG, this is so adorable! Love this idea so much. So comfy and welcoming for a reading nook. #loveyourhome

  • Rachel @FreshDesign

    July 30, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    I love blackboard paint, it’s a brilliant invention. What a lovely cosy corner you’ve created, hope your daughter has lots of fun using it.

    1. gillian

      July 31, 2014 at 8:51 am

      Thank you! She loves it – especially al the chalking πŸ™‚

  • Colourful, bright and eclectic toddler room tour |

    April 8, 2015 at 5:01 pm

    […] wardrobe under the attic stairs, the original iron fireplace and shelving in the alcove where her chalkboard wallΒ and reading corner […]

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