Wooden Cutting Board Makeover

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!

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!

WOODEN CUTTING BOARD MAKEOVER

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!

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

STEP 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.

STEP 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.

STEP 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.

STEP 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.

STEP 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.

STEP 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!

STEP 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.

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!