How to Upcycle Old Vases With This DIY Terracotta Paint Hack

If you asked me six months ago where my DIY project inspiration came from, the answer would be pretty obvious: Pinterest, YouTube, and DIYers I follow on Instagram. Now, with the uncertainty of a global pandemic, an unexpected chunk of time at home, and a desire for escapism, I’m big into TikTok. Like, really big.

I’ve found a ton of inventive ideas on the app. While my roommate or teenage brother likely have a completely different looking feed, mine is loaded with home decor tips, cleaning hacks, and all things organization. It is, of course, also how I found the magical little appliance that is the Bissell Little Green Upholstery Cleaner.

My new favorite discovery? A nifty little trick to turn mismatched glass, plastic, and ceramic items into textural “terracotta” pieces that look like they’re plucked right off the window display of your favorite home store. What’s even better? The technique could not be simpler—and the payoff is huge.

What you'll need:

• (Approximately) 220 grit sandpaper
• Acrylic paint (I used this terracotta color, this off-white, and a mix of the two)
• Baking soda
• Cups to mix in
• Paint brushes
• Assorted ceramic, plastic, metal, or glass objects

What you'll do:

• If you’re working with plastic, or anything that already has a finish, you’re going to want to rough the surface up a bit with sandpaper to ensure the paint sticks. This isn’t an exact method, just do your best to give the item a scratched-up texture.

• Mix your paint to the color (or many) you desire. I went with three: a classic burnt orange, off white, and a mix of the two.

• Add baking soda to your paint—I used a 1:1 proportion, but the consistency is really up to you—and stir until the mixture is fully incorporated and a little bit fluffy (science!).

• Give each of your pieces a first coat and let them dry completely. This drying step is even more important than usual, because the wet paint and baking soda mixture lifts off very easily if it’s still wet. You’ll know it’s completely dry when it’s matte and a lighter hue than when you began.

• Add a second coat, and a third if you need it. The pieces I worked on only needed two coats, since the mixture was thick and pretty high-coverage.

Remember: Be gentle with your finished pieces. I found that they chip relatively easily, but the ease of this project (and therefore any touch-ups) made it totally worth it. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a food-safe project, so any painted items should be used for decorative purposes only.

Are you a TikTok DIY enthusiast? What projects have you been tinkering with? Tell us in the comments below!

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