Make any surface a dry-erase space

A dry-erase white board is an essential part of most meeting rooms, classrooms, and family organizing these days. From reminders and phone numbers to “big idea” brainstorm sessions to temporary works of art, these surfaces often prove to be the perfect alternative to piles of paper scraps.

Now many homes and offices are thinking bigger, as well as “outside the box.”  Several manufacturers, including Sherwin Williams, offer professional-grade dry-erase clear coating. Correctly applied, these coatings are durable and won’t show “ghosting” (leftover marks) like traditional white boards can. And clear coating means that not only can any smooth surface be made dry-erase-able—a wall, a door, a tabletop, a toy box—but it can be any color underneath!  Obviously, darker colors won’t let the markers show as much, but imagine the new possibilities…

Household organizing
Many households use some kind of dry-erase, chalk, or cork board (or even a collection of sticky-notes) to leave phone messages, reminders, shopping lists, chore charts, calendars, and more.  Now turn a bright- colored accent wall in the mudroom into message central. Or the side of the fridge. Or the inside of a pantry door. Or the wall next to the computer. Wherever the action is!

Kids’ rooms
I wrote last month about things to think about when installing a mural, including getting your child’s opinion and considering the potential longevity of the design. Another approach is to make one or more walls of a bedroom or playroom into an always-changeable surface for your budding Picasso.  A dry-erase wall with a neutral color paint underneath will allow the room’s look to mature along with your child and his scribbles-du-jour—or wipe off entirely. Other dry-erase surfaces can help with organizing (doors, drawers, toy boxes) or foster creativity (dollhouse, play-house, easel). Finally, make sure that every child in your home is old enough to understand what are and are not permissible places to mark!

Workplace
The size and nature of your company will determine when and where this stuff would be useful or just distracting, but consider the options. Expand the size of a conventional white board by painting an entire wall or walls for presentations and brainstorming. Paint tabletops for coworkers and clients to illustrate their concepts on the fly. Post schedules or sign-ups on a breakroom wall or door. Or simply create a space for free-flow doodles, ideas, and other friendly graffiti near a shared printer or water cooler.

Call Matthews Painting today to talk about your options.