How to make DIY texture paint with leftover paint and baking soda to transform glass, ceramic, and wood thrift finds into stylish home decor.
I can’t believe I hadn’t tried this sooner: you can create rich, textured paint using just leftover latex or acrylic paint and baking soda. If you love thrifted finds like I do—old vases, dollar‑store pottery, or vintage sculptures—this simple method is a fast, budget‑friendly way to turn those pieces into custom decor.
For my first experiment I picked a slightly damaged $3 pheasant figurine from a thrift shop and aimed to give it a faux sculpted stone finish. The results were dramatic, and the whole project used only pantry staples and paint I already had on hand.
This technique is an excellent way to use up small amounts of leftover paint while giving thrifted glass, ceramic, and wood items a fresh, curated look.
How to Make Texture Paint Using Baking Soda
Supplies
- Latex or acrylic paint in the color(s) you want
- Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
- A disposable mixing bowl and spoon
- A craft brush or small stippling brush for application
That’s it—simple supplies you probably already have.
The Steps
You don’t need precise measurements—this is very forgiving, but here’s a reliable approach.
1. Mix paint colors if you want a custom base shade. It’s best to mix enough paint for the whole piece because matching the color exactly later can be difficult. I blended a light gray with a charcoal leftover to get the tone I wanted.
2. Start by adding about 1 tablespoon of baking soda per cup of paint and stir until smooth. From there, add more baking soda gradually until the mixture reaches the consistency you want. Thicker mixes give more pronounced texture; I mixed mine to roughly a cake‑frosting thickness for a stone‑like surface.
3. Apply the texture paint with a dabbing or stippling motion rather than smooth brush strokes. If you want a layered, natural stone look, apply a mid‑tone base first, then dab lighter or darker shades onto the still‑wet texture for depth and variation.
Let your piece dry completely. Dry time depends on thickness and humidity—thin layers dry in a few hours, while thicker textured layers can take longer. For extra durability, consider sealing the finished surface with a clear matte or satin sealer appropriate for the paint type and the object’s intended use.
The finished surface on my pheasant looks convincingly like carved stone. I repaired the broken beak beforehand with air‑dry clay and then blended the texture paint over the repair so the whole piece reads as one solid sculptural object.
I’ve named the figure Phred the Pheasant—call him whatever you like—but he now lives happily in our entryway where his textured finish complements other decor pieces.
More easy thrift‑makeover ideas
- DIY Easy Landscape Art Using a Thrifted Frame
- DIY Candle from a Thrifted Brass Canister
- Textile Art Made from an Old Rug
- Sheet Music Gallery Wall from a Thrifted Book
- DIY Hobnail Vase
