We love chalkboard paint for a hallway, kids' room, or play area, but for those who prefer a neutral paint palette, hate the mess of chalk, or are just over the chalkboard wall, dry-erase paint is the solution.
Initially, the dry-erase paint market had only a few key players, but now you can find the paint in a variety of finishes and with safety and the environment in mind. Dry-erase paint is relatively odorless, low-VOC, and suitable for many applications like wood furniture, colored walls, bricks, and concrete.
Above: A mix of tacked-up memorabilia, photographs, and a small sketch from Cocon in France. For the classic high gloss white finish, Rust-Oleum's Specialty Dry Erase Paint Kit can be used on drywall, masonite, wood, cement, and metal and is a water-based formula; $21.97 for 27 ounces from Home Depot.
Above: For use on different materials like wood, concrete, and brick, Clear Dry-Erase Paint has a transparent finish; $130 for a can that covers 50 square feet from Whitey Board on Etsy.
Above: A tree drawn in white chalk board paint from IdeaPaint. Their low-VOC CRE-8 Water Borne Paint is $28.99 for the Lil' Bit Kit (which covers 3 square feet). For more, see Walls, Windows & Floors: IdeaPaint Dry-Erase Paint. Another option is Sherwin-Williams' Dry Erase Coating, which is LEED certified and meets the Ozone Transport Commission's specifications; available directly from Sherwin-Williams.
Above: In addition to the clear coat from Whitey Board Paints, IdeaPaint makes a Clear Kit that covers 50 square feet for $225. Photograph via IdeaPaint.
Looking for more kids room inspiration? Get radical with Children's Climbing Walls, 10 Children's Swings for Indoor Play, and Black-Accented Children's Rooms.