Faux Stone DIY: Give Your Ceramic Bowl a Stunning Makeover

Got an old ceramic bowl that doesn’t match your decorating style? Don’t toss it! Flip it with this faux stone finish DIY upcycle idea.

I found this ceramic bowl at the thrift store for $4 and with a few simple supplies, I gave it a whole new look. Sure it looked pretty before, but I want to level it up so it works better in my own home. And I mean, for four bucks and some paint, this is super easy way to transform something ordinary into a unique piece that adds character to my home.

Hi, I’m Stacy Ling and I love to share my hands-on experience and the best beginner-friendly DIY tips to help you love your home. Ready to get started? I’m walking you through this faux stone ceramic bowl makeover step-by-step!

(Posts on stacyling.com may contain affiliate links. Click HERE for full disclosure.)

Faux Stone DIY Supplies Needed

• Acrylic paint in a mixture of shades to create the color of stone
• Baking Soda
• Paintbrush
• Disposable Cups to Mix Paint
• Sea Sponge
• Dark Wax
• Light Wax
• Paper Towel or cloth (to apply wax)

Note: When making this project I mixed these colors to get the look I was going for. I don’t have exact ratios of the colors but here is the list of paints that I used.

They are made by Apple Barrel.

• antique parchment
• lite mocha
• ivory
• beige
• territorial beige
• khaki

I started with the lighter shades first and then gradually brought it a little darker with each coat.

Estimated Project Cost

One of the best parts of this DIY is how inexpensive it is compared to buying a genuine stone or textured ceramic bowl! The final cost will depend on what you already have in your craft stash, but here is a realistic breakdown:

Item	Estimated Cost (New Purchase)	Notes
Thrifted Bowl/Vase	$4.00	This is the price I paid for my fluted ceramic bowl. Prices may vary!
Acrylic Craft Paints	$3.00 – $6.00	Budget acrylic paints (like Apple Barrel) are usually under $1.00 per 2oz bottle. This covers 3-5 colors for layering.
Baking Soda	$0.50	Used only a few scoops; practically negligible.
Sea Sponge	$1.00 – $3.00	For dabbing texture. Often found in multi-packs at craft stores.
Dark and Clear Wax	$16.00 – $25.00	The biggest cost if you don’t already have it. This covers a small tin of both clear furniture wax and dark antiquing wax.
Total Estimated Cost	$24.50 – $38.50	This is the total cost if you buy all materials new, but the amount of paint and wax you have left over can be used for many, many more projects!

Total Project Time

Since this project requires multiple coats and the baking soda mixture can pull off if rushed, it’s important to separate the active and passive time commitment:

• Active Painting & Waxing Time: Approximately 30 – 45 minutes. (This is the time you spend physically cleaning, mixing, painting, and applying wax.)
• Passive Drying/Curing Time: 24 hours. (Allow 2-3 hours between the initial coats, and preferably let the wax cure overnight or for a full 24 hours before decorating with the bowl.)

Faux Stone DIY: Directions to Make Ceramic Look Like Stone

While this project is very easy to do, the process from start to finish took a while because I needed to allow the paint to dry in between coats before doing the next one. So keep that in mind as you work. But I LOVE how it turned out! As you paint, the coverage is fairly thin, so you may need a few coats to get the desired look.

Step 1: Preparing the Bowl

Since I am mixing acrylic paint with baking soda, that should adhere well to the ceramic without doing a light sanding. I’ve not done this before and I prefer less prepwork, so I’m skipping the light sanding. To start, clean the bowl well first to get all dust and debris off.

Step 2: Mixing the Paint

Next, mix some paint and baking soda in a cup or bowl. I mixed a few different colors together and just added baking soda to thicken it up. So I’m not sure what the ratios are, I just went by feel. But the mixture of paint with baking soda is what will give your project that faux stone look.

If you’re unsure, try starting with a 1:1 ratio of paint to baking soda, mixing until it reaches the consistency of thick frosting. You can always add more baking soda for extra texture.

Step 3: Applying the Faux Stone DIY Paint Mixture

Then, apply the first coat of paint mix and allow it to dry completely. I did not do this at first, and the paint mix started to come off. So be sure to allow each coat to dry off in between. Once it fully dries, it adheres well.

For the next coat, I remixed paints with acrylic to get a stone color and reapplied. Again, I mixed the color by visual and considered what stone looks like while making the batch. Allow the second coat to dry completely and do a third coat if needed.

For the third coat, I made a new mixture of paints, but mixed them a little darker to layer a different tone on top and applied it a little thinner so the first two layers would show through. I recommend allowing it to dry overnight to ensure it is fully dry before adding more texture and dimension.

Step 4: Adding Texture and Dimension to This Faux Stone DIY

Next, I used a sea sponge with a darker shade of brown. Blot most of the paint off first, and then lightly go over the bowl in different spaces to add some texture and age. When you get the desired look, use dark wax to age it some more. Grab an old rag or paper towel to apply it.

I dabbed it on and lightly rubbed it in to soften the look. Keep going until the bowl has the desired look you want.Then go over it with a light clear wax to protect the finish.

Allow curing before decorating. I waited a day but it is recommended to wait longer. See the directions on the wax for full curing time.

Faux Stone Ceramic Bowl: Frequently Asked Questions

Is a ceramic bowl painted with baking soda food-safe? No. Once ceramic is painted with acrylic paint and sealed with wax, it should be considered a decorative piece only. Do not use this bowl for serving food, storing unwrapped consumables, or anything that will come into direct contact with the painted finish.

Can I use the finished bowl to hold water or fresh flowers? I recommend using this bowl for decorative purposes only (like dried arrangements or potpourri). While the finish is chip-resistant, it is not reliably waterproof, and prolonged exposure to standing water from fresh flowers or aggressive cleaning may compromise the paint and wax treatment over time.

Can I use this technique on outdoor pots or planters? While the acrylic paint and wax provide some durability, this finish is best suited for indoor use. If you use it on an outdoor piece, I recommend using a durable, clear, outdoor-rated polyurethane sealer instead of wax to protect it from the elements. Keep it under a covered porch or patio to maximize its lifespan.

What are some alternatives to baking soda for creating texture? Great question! If you don’t want to use baking soda, you can also try mixing a small amount of joint compound (spackle), plaster of Paris, or fine sand into your acrylic paint. Joint compound tends to give a smoother, almost concrete-like texture, while sand provides a gritty, natural stone feel.

What is the best way to clean my faux stone bowl? Because of the wax finish, you should only clean this piece by gently dusting it with a dry microfiber cloth or a feather duster. Avoid using water, wet rags, or chemical cleaners, as this can degrade the wax and potentially damage the painted finish over time. I dust mine off but honestly don’t ever wipe it down.

Where can I find other thrift store items that are perfect for this makeover? Look for items with interesting shapes or fluting, like the bowl I used! Thrift stores are great places to find unique glass vases, candlestick holders, and ceramic jugs that can all be transformed with this technique. The more detail the piece has, the more the faux stone texture will accentuate it.

Final Thoughts About Upcycling a Ceramic Bowl With a Faux Stone DIY

I love how the ceramic bowl turned out don’t you? When I first saw it at the thrift store, I knew it would look amazing on my dining room table as a centerpiece.

Since I never used this upcycle ideas technique before, I wanted to try it without doing the light sanding first. While the paint mixture adhered well, next time I would do a very light sanding first before cleaning it.

Although the paint adhered well without doing the light sanding, when I tried to apply the second coat without allowing it to fully dry it pulled right off the ceramic while I was working. I’m pretty impatient when I refinish things, so I like to work before it’s fully dry. Aside from that, the paint mixture adhered really well.

So the key is to either presand the piece before so you can work a little quicker or be patient and wait until it’s fully dry between coats. I’ve banged the finish piece a few times and there is no chipping on the finish.

This technique can be used to transform a variety of ceramic items, not just bowls. You can also experiment with different types of paint and textures to create a unique look.

I hope this tutorial inspires you to give your old ceramic bowls a new lease on life! And be sure to check out my other blog posts for more upcycling ideas here.

Here are a few other thrifted DIY projects you might enjoy.

• DIY Thanksgiving Decorations
• Transform a Vintage Carriage Into a Stunning Planter
• Chalkpainting a Coffee Table
• How to Strip Wood With Oven Cleaner

Let me know what you think in the comments! Would you try this upcycling idea?

Thank you so much for following along.

Enjoy a beautiful day! xo

Want to See More Thrift Store Finds?

I’ve been sharing lots of cool items I found for our new home and garden.

Come thrift with me!

• 7 Fun Finds from the Thrift Store Near Me
• 9 Garden Treasures You Should Always Buy at the Thrift Store
• Prettiest Thrift Flip Idea for the Front Porch
• How to Decorate on a Budget with Thrift Store Finds
• How to Plant a Fall Garden in a Flea Market Find
• Thrift Unique Decorating Ideas
• My Thrift Store Vintage Finds for the Garden

How My Friend Uses Her Thrift Store Finds

Jennifer from Cottage on Bunker Hill shares how she decorated for fall this year with her thrift store finds. She does a lot of thrifting in New England that I think has amazing stuff! I love hitting the local antique stores and flea markets when I’m up there. Doesn’t her consol table look so pretty and festive for autumn?