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Kitchen Cutting Board Decoupage Makeover

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There’s just something special about giving new life to an old find—especially when it ends up looking this adorable! Today I’m sharing how I transformed a simple thrifted cutting board into a piece of cozy kitchen décor that makes me smile every time I pass by it. This Kitchen Cutting Board Decoupage Makeover project is perfect for anyone who loves budget-friendly makeovers with a touch of farmhouse charm. Let’s jump into the details! Make sure to check out our other Decoupage Projects while you’re here!

Supplies needed for this project :

  • A thrifted wooden cutting board
  • White chalk paint or acrylic paint
  • Decorative napkin (mine said “Happiness is Homemade”)
  • Mod Podge
  • Small wooden fork, knife, and spoon (Dollar Tree find!)
  • Navy blue paint (or color of your choice)
  • Sanding block
  • Jute twine
  • Hot glue gun
  • Optional : Water pen
A thrifted wooden cutting board placed on a crafting mat before the makeover begins. The board has a natural wood grain and beveled edges.
A close-up of a person holding a jar of Waverly Inspirations Chalk Paint in the color “Plaster.” The label indicates it’s a no-prep, matte finish acrylic paint.
A decorative napkin with the phrase “Happiness is Homemade” and a rolling pin graphic, ready to be used for decoupage.

How I Made It:

Step 1: Prep & Paint

I started by giving my thrifted cutting board a good cleaning and sanding down any rough edges. Then I painted the entire board with white paint for that classic farmhouse base. Once it dried, I lightly distressed the edges with sandpaper to let a little character peek through.

Painting the center of the wooden cutting board with white chalk paint using a foam brush, leaving the outer edge unpainted for a framed effect.
Sanding the painted cutting board with a sanding block to distress the edges and smooth the surface, revealing some of the original wood beneath.

Step 2: Add the Napkin Design

The “Happiness is Homemade” design was part of a napkin I have in my napkin inventory—how cute is that little rolling pin?! First, I used a water pen to wet the outline of the design on the napkin, which is the part that I wanted to add to my cutting board.

Using a water pen to trace around the design on the napkin to soften the edges and prepare it for easy tearing before decoupage.

Next, I gently tore it around the outline where I applied the water. It helps to have a rough edge like this when you decoupage it onto your surface, so it hides any imperfections.

Gently tearing the napkin along the water-traced edges to separate the printed design from the rest of the napkin.

Then, I separated the napkin layers and used Mod Podge to apply just the printed top layer to the top portion of the cutting board. A soft brush and a little patience help smooth it out without tearing. The torn edge of the napkin kind of blends in and disappears into the white paint.

Hands holding a carefully torn piece of napkin with the “Happiness is Homemade” design, ready to be applied to the painted board.
Pouring a stream of decoupage glue (like Mod Podge) onto the painted and distressed surface of the wooden cutting board.
Positioning the “Happiness is Homemade” napkin piece onto the glued surface of the cutting board with a paintbrush in hand.
Using a soft bristle brush to gently press down the napkin design and smooth it out onto the board surface.

Step 3: Dress Up the Utensils

These little wooden utensils were a Dollar Tree find, and they were just begging to be part of this project. I painted them navy blue to match the design on the napkin and let them dry completely. Afterwards, I added a bit of a white wash with the same color white to mute that bright blue.

Laying out three wooden utensils—spoon, knife, and fork—on the cutting board beneath the napkin design to test placement.
Pouring navy blue paint onto one of the wooden utensils, preparing to paint the decorative pieces before attaching them to the board.
painting the blue wooden utensils with a white wash while a spool of twine sits nearby.

To give them a little more personality, I wrapped a bit of jute twine around each handle and secured it with hot glue.

Wrapping jute twine tightly around the handle of a painted blue wooden utensil to create a rustic, farmhouse-style embellishment.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Once everything was dry, I used hot glue to attach the utensils just below the napkin wording. I centered them and spaced them evenly so it looked balanced and intentional.

Applying hot glue to the back of a twine-wrapped fork while preparing to attach it to the decoupaged cutting board.

The Finished Look:

The end result is a sweet piece of kitchen art that cost just a few dollars to make but looks like something you’d find at a boutique or farmhouse market. It’s simple, homey, and totally customizable depending on your color palette or favorite quote.

Finished cutting board décor standing upright, featuring navy-painted utensils wrapped in twine below the napkin design on a distressed white background.

Want to Try It Yourself?

You don’t need fancy tools or expensive supplies. Just a little creativity, a cute napkin, and something from the thrift store that’s ready for a second chance. Whether you make one for your own kitchen or as a heartfelt handmade gift, it’s sure to bring a smile.

Let me know in the comments if you try this project—or tag me over on Facebook so I can see your version!

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Collage graphic for a DIY blog post titled “Kitchen Cutting Board Decoupage Makeover – Thrift Store Flip.” The main image shows a finished cutting board sign with painted navy utensils and a “Happiness is Homemade” napkin design. Smaller images include the original plain wooden cutting board and a blue illustrated utensil holder and pot. Website URL myeclectictreasures.com appears at the bottom.

Check out these other decoupage projects :

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