IKEA Hack – Painted IKEA Spontan Magnetic Board (or Svensas Magnetic Board)

Once upon a time I purchased the Spontan Magnetic Board from IKEA.  Why?  I don’t know other than that when I step into IKEA, I suddenly feel the urge to purchase lots of things that I have no need for.

I ultimately decided to incorporate it into my son’s “vintage aviation bedroom.”  To add to the theme, I customized the magnetic board, and am happy to share this Painted IKEA Spontan Magnetic Board with you! (2021 UPDATE: IKEA magnetic boards are now sold as Svensas Memo Boards).  

Supplies Needed to Customize an IKEA Magnet Board

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• Electronic cutting machine (I LOVE my Cricut Joy) *See the tutorial below if you don’t have or don’t want a cutting machine! You can still do this!
• Chalk paint in color(s) of your choice
• Varnish
• Paint Brush

How to Paint an IKEA Spontan or IKEA Svensas

To get this look, I cut airplane stencils on my cutting machine.  (At the time I had a Silhouette Portrait – now I use a Cricut Joy).

If you don’t have an electronic cutting machine, you could easily print clip art from your computer and trace the design onto contact paper to make a sticky stencil, or use stickers in the size and shape you desire.

Once my stencils were ready, I placed them onto the IKEA Spontan board.  

Next, I used a small foam roller to apply two coats of chalk paint over the entire board – including over the contact paper stencils.

I used DecoArt’s Americana Decor Chalky Finish paint in white.  Again, you can pick any color you like!  (Don’t you think the washing machine is the PERFECT work surface?)

Once the paint was totally dry, I removed my contact paper stencils to reveal the vintage airplane design! I was SO happy to see that they turned out well!

I then painted a coat of varnish over the entire magnet board just to make sure the finish stayed on well.

Since I will be using magnets on there and rotating my son’s artwork, I wanted to make sure the finish is durable.  

This was a fun project because I had no idea if it would actually turn out well.  I love that I finally used my random IKEA purchase, and my son is pumped to have a place to display his artwork from school!  

Next up in the room is painting the bookshelf to match the gray chalk painted dresser that I finished late last year. I can’t wait to get the room finished!  

– Bre