Are you curious as to how you can create a wooden cutting board makeover? Follow the tutorial for my craft idea that will show you how you can totally transform a thrift store kitchen board from drab to fab!
While on a thrift store shopping excursion, I was so happy to spot a large cutting board for only $2.99. What a bargain, right? I quickly added it in my cart along with my other deals!
WOODEN CUTTING BOARD MAKEOVER
Thrift store finds can sometimes challenge my creativity when it come to brainstorming a DIY idea for how an item can be upcycled or repurposed.
This time was different, however, when it came to thinking of a makeover idea for this cutting board. I immediately thought that I could paint a design and add a quote. Easy peasy!
Follow along as I show you the amazing “before and after” transformation!
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SUPPLIES NEEDED:
- wood cutting board
- hand sander
- sanding sheet
- 3 coordinating colors of craft paint
- dark charcoal gray craft paint
- foam brush
- artist brush
- painter’s tape
- paper and printer
- pencil
- black pen marker
- paper towels
- fine grit sandpaper
- joint compound (optional)
- variety of ribbons
- strong glue
WHAT ARE OTHER CRAFT IDEAS FOR A WOODEN CUTTING BOARD?
- decoupage a napkin using Mod Podge
- paint with chalk board paint
- use chalk paint instead of acrylic
- attach wood letters, i.e. EAT
- use wood burning tool to make a design
- attach a small shelf for a decorative bottle
- or attach a galvanized container filled with cacti
STEPS FOR THE CUTTING BOARD MAKEOVER
1. PREPPING THE BOARD
Use a hand sander for a quick way to sand the wood. If you don’t own one, you can always use sanding paper. I used a paper towel to wipe down the board after it was sanded.
If your cutting board came from a thrift store, you may need to fill in any imperfections with joint compound. I needed to fill in holes from a hanger attachment that I removed.
2. PAINT THE FIRST COLOR
You will be using 3 shades of paint to make your buffalo plaid design. I chose white and two shades of tan.
Use a foam brush to apply white paint on the sides and the back side. Let dry completely. Then paint the top side and let dry completely.
You can either paint full coverage for all the painting steps or let the paint look a little rough. I did the latter as I didn’t want it too perfect looking.
3. TAPE OFF FIRST STRIPES AND APPLY LIGHT TAN COLOR
Cutting boards can range in sizes, but I think a medium size board or a large one like mine looks best using 2-inch painter’s tape to make the plaid design
Find the center of your cutting board and mark lightly with pencil. I placed the center of the tape on my center mark, and continued with 2 inches in between each piece of tape vertically.
Paint with the light tan color, let dry completely, and remove tape.
4. TAPE OFF MORE STRIPES AND APPLY LIGHT TAN PAINT
For this next step you will be taping off horizontally.
Measure and mark the center of the main portion (not neck) of the cutting board.
Place the center of the tape on your center mark and place the rest of the tape pieces 2 inches apart.
This part may sound or look confusing, but you are going to use the light tan color again to paint horizontally. Let dry completely. Do not remove tape.
5. TAPE OFF AGAIN AND APPLY THE DARKER TAN PAINT
Apply tape vertically over your horizontal tape. You should be able to see where the vertical tape was previously and can place the tape back in the same spots.
You will now see squares have been formed from all the tape used.
Paint all those squares with the darker shade of tan paint. Let dry completely and remove tape.
6. SANDING THE BOARD
Use fine grit sandpaper to sand and distress your chopping board. Wipe sand dust off with paper towels.
HOW TO ADD A SAYING TO A WOODEN CUTTING BOARD
You can add a saying or quote to your cutting board by using a cutting machine, a stencil, or the old school transfer method like I used below.
Find a kitchen quote that you’d like to add to your board by Googling “kitchen sayings printable” then select “images.” Choose your favorite to print and copy.
OLD SCHOOL TRANSFER METHOD:
I used the “old school method” to transfer the quote to my cutting board just like I did on my thrift store mirror makeover.
Color the back side of the printable with a pencil to cover the words completely. Cut around the design so you can make the placement on top of the board easier.
Place the back side down on the board, find your placement, tape down 4 sides. Trace around the letters with a pencil.
Remove tape and paper. Outline the letters using a medium tip Paper Mate black marker.
Begin painting the letters using an artist brush (thin brush head.) 2 coats of paint are needed.
TIP: Allow the marker to dry completely PLUS place a piece of paper under your painting hand while painting the letters. This prevents the marker from getting on your hand and transferring black marker onto your design. Ask me how I know this, ugh!
7. MAKE A MESSY BOW
I chose to embellish my board with a messy bow just like I did for my bulletin board makeover.
- Gather strips of coordinating ribbons and cut to desired length.
- Alternate ribbons while making an “X.”
- Pinch the middle of your “X” and tie tightly with ribbon or twine.
- Use a strong glue to attach to the neck of the board. Yay, you’re all done!
Let me know in the comment section how you think my wooden cutting board makeover turned out!
YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN SEEING MY STEP STOOL MAKEOVER USING STENCIL AND STAIN.
It’s once again time for me to participate in the Pinterest Challenge Group where I join other bloggers each month for a themed project to share with all our readers. This month’s theme is “from the kitchen”. Our projects are inspired by a pin on one of our Pinterest boards and also has some sort of a sustainable element to them. After my post, you’ll find links to see projects from the other bloggers. Don’t miss out!
CLICK THE LINKS BELOW TO SEE MORE “FROM THE KITCHEN” PROJECTS FROM MY FELLOW BLOGGERS!
Julie @ Sum of Their Stories ~ Kitchen Storage Jar to Pretty Vase Upcycle
Gail @ Purple Hues and Me ~ Upcycle Fry Pan DIY
Terri @ Terri Steffes ~ Repurposed Altoid Tin to Camper Games
Ann @ The Apple Street Cottage ~ Vintage Lace Tealight Holder
T’onna @ Sew Crafty Crochet ~ Crochet Dishcloth and Sponge Set
Julie @ Treasures Made From Yarn ~ Crochet Jar Covers
Lydia @ Life Beyond the Kitchen ~ How to Make Reusable Sandwich Wraps
Mel @ Decor Craft Design ~ Upcycled Valentine Wall Decoration
Donna @ Modern on Monticello ~ Jelly Jar Sewing Kits
Linda @ Crafts a la Mode ~ Cake Plate Makeover and Valentine
Niki @ Life as a Leo Wife ~ DIY Tea Towel
Sharing my wooden cutting board project at the following fabulous blogs!
Blimey! That’s quite the transformation! I love your painted buffalo check, I did something similar on a glass jar one, it’s much simpler to do than describe isn’t it? I’m also a big fan of the “old school method” of transferring designs. This turned out beautifully.
Thanks, Julie, glad you like my makeover! I was intimidated by the plaid at first, but once you think it through it’s easy to paint.
This turned out beautiful! Well worth the time and painting! I love a good upcycle. It looks like something you could find in a store for sure. I’d love for you to come share in on Crafty Creators Link Party on Thursday. Our readers will love it too! Happiness is Homemade is open for sharing now if you’d like to share there too.
XOXO,
Niki ~ Life as a LEO Wife
Niki, thank you for the compliments! I took a long break from the link parties because I was getting too addicted to all of them ~ LOL ~ but I’d like to return, so thanks for the invites!
Your remake of a cutting board is so pretty and adorable, Allyson! I love the colors in the buffalo plaid! They’re a unique blend of colors! Quite unusual! It’s a fabulous upcycle to have and display!
So glad you like my board makeover, Gail! I had to mix my own colors using paints I had on hand because Walmart craft paint selection was hopeless. That’s why the colors are so “unusual.” LOL
Wonderful makeover, Allyson! So much better than the original and I love the plaid design.
Thank you, Ann! Glad you like the plaid design. It was easier to paint than I thought it was going to be.
I adore the buffalo plaid, so I would be happy to stop right there! So pretty, especially the colors you chose.
So happy you like my makeover, Terri! I had to mix my own colors since I didn’t have what I really wanted on hand. I live in the boondocks and didn’t want to make the trek just to buy two paint bottles. LOL
Oh what a cute cutting board!!!! I love the font and the saying! So cute!
Thank you for the compliments, T’onna! I was happy with how the makeover came together.
Pinned!! I love writing on wood and thanks for showing how. Best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Thanks for the pin, Linda! I need all of those I can get. 🙂
I have a wooden cutting board I am not using; I will have to keep this project in mind.
Julie, glad I could give you some inspiration to makeover your own cutting board!
Allyson, I love what you’ve done with this little cutting board! The checks turned out really well. Adorable!!
Happy Valentine’s to you,
Barb 🙂
Thank you, Barbara! It was my first time doing checks. 🙂
This turned out so cute, Allyson! And, the other ideas for how to tranform a cutting board are great too! Now I will be on the lookout for one of these cutting boards. What a darling transformation. Thanks for sharing at TFT. 🙂
Thank you, Pam! Glad to hear you like my cutting board and the other board options. Always fun to attend a link party!
Allyson,
I love your upcycle of the cutting board. Congratulations, you are being featured on Thursday Favorite Things. I hope you stop by.
Hugs,
Bev
Beverly, thanks so much for featuring my cutting board! Yay! I’ll stop by tomorrow. 🙂