The Shabby Creek Cottage

Hundreds of ideas for creative ways to eat, make & decorate!

How to Make Your Own Salt Paint to Create a Chippy Beach Cottage Finish

Have you ever tried salt paint? It’s a super easy way to get that thick, crackled look of things aged by the wear of salt water and time to look like they came straight out of an old beach cottage. Besides being absolutely gorgeous, it’s easy to do with any type of paint by adding just a couple of things you might already have (or can pick up at the craft store for super cheap!) Since I love a good, unique paint finish (like my Shabby Farmhouse Style), I thought I’d share this easy technique you can do, too!

How to Make Your Own Salt Paint - such a great technique for that chippy, beach vibe on almost anything. Super easy how-to with salt paint recipe.

How to Make Your Own Salt Paint Recipe

I’ve been surprisingly into creating videos lately, and this one is no exception – so there’s a complete video to show you how I did it step by step. But I did want to give you a few quick tips.

  1. Mix your salt paint in a non-reactive dish (I use old glass bowls)
  2. Don’t mix more than you need. While you can put it in an air-tight container to keep for a few days, it won’t be as good as freshly mixed paint. 
  3. Use cheap chip brushes to apply the salt paint. All those brush strokes along with the rough texture it creates only enhances the overall finish. You WANT to be messy – gloopy – and very thick. As it dries, this is what makes the texture amazing after sanding.

How to Make Your Own Salt Paint - such a great technique for that chippy, beach vibe on almost anything. Super easy how-to with salt paint recipe.

Salt Paint Recipe

*this post contains affiliate links to my Amazon shop – which means if you make a purchase then I may earn a commission*

  • 3 tablespoons plaster of Paris
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons paint (I used acrylic)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (you need kosher for the texture – plain table salt will not give you the same result.)

How to Make Your Own Salt Paint - such a great technique for that chippy, beach vibe on almost anything. Super easy how-to with salt paint recipe.

Now that I’ve told you how to make it – here’s a step by step video to show you exactly how I made it, paint it and also finish it. 

 

 

Want to see more of that yummy beach cottage paint finish?!?

How to Make Your Own Salt Paint - such a great technique for that chippy, beach vibe on almost anything. Super easy how-to with salt paint recipe.

How to Make Your Own Salt Paint - such a great technique for that chippy, beach vibe on almost anything. Super easy how-to with salt paint recipe.

Soon I’ll share how to make this sign – but that’s for another day 🙂

become a blogger banner

Comments

  1. This turned out BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you so much! I’m not sure if you answered this already, but how long should I let it dry before I use it?

    Reply

    • Thanks so much Michelle! Just let it dry until it is completely dry…just give it a touch and you’ll know 🙂

      Reply

        • I am not sure that would work Shona, I have only used this technique for DIY projects and don’t know how well…if at all it would hold up to foot traffic.

          Reply

          • I have mixed SAND with acrylic paint and painted a front porch and steps–it held up very well to weather and foot traffic!

        • I’ve also used sand mixed with paint.
          We painted this mix on Pool steps to prevent anyone from slipping on the painted steps.
          The sand made a huge difference!
          That was in 2008, and it’s still working!

          Reply

      • I’M SO EXCITED TO TRY THIS! I love Aqua too! So does my sister. I’ve shared this with her & saved you to my board. Reading 3 to see where I can sign up with my email to your blog here hopefully I’ll find it I’m not very goid at blogging! but that’s okay I’m learning and it’s fun and I absolutely love this idea thank you so very very much look forward to reading all of your ideas.
        Thank you, Cynthia.

        Reply

    • Is there another ingredient you can use other than Plaster of Paris, or can you make it with products you may have at home?

      Reply

  3. This is genius! And I love this color 🙂 Gotta question though. Does it have to be acrylic paint or would work with the chalk paint(or any other paint) as well? Thanks for sharing Gina!

    Reply

    • My pleasure Vanessa 🙂 Usually only one coat, you’ll know if you are happy with the results or if you prefer more. It takes about the same amount of time to dry as regular paint.

      Reply

    • You will get a different effect Tanya, Kosher salt has larger crystals than sea salt or Himalayan salt. I would test it in a small batch first to see if it gives you the effect you like 🙂

      Reply

  9. I’m so interested in this salt paint. Is it going to use on cement and wood? And how about a larger area like a bathroom wall? Thank you. Loren

    Reply

    • Hmmm, I am not sure, I’ve never used it on anything other than signs but I guess you could give it a try, if you do please let me know how it looks!!

      Reply

  10. Will this be Ok for an outside application or will it need to have a topcoat of varathane?
    How do you get the lettering on the piece?

    Reply

  11. Absolutely GORGEOUS! I think I have my first Christmas present idea (YAY!!!!)

    You may have answered this already, what is the paint color name? It’s so beachy.

    Reply

    • Thanks so much! I am so happy to have inspired your Christmas present idea 🙂 I just used Aqua craft paint from the craft store, sorry don’t have an exact name. Good luck!!

      Reply

    • Thanks so much! I am so happy to have inspired your Christmas present idea 🙂 I just used Aqua craft paint from the craft store, sorry don’t have an exact name. Good luck!!

      Reply

  14. So if I want to make a bigger amount of paint I would just double the amount? Thanx for sharing the video….

    Reply

    • Hmmmm, I’ve never tried it, but I bet it would have the same effect. Please let me know if you try it and how it turned out 🙂

      Reply

      • I was thinking the same thing….using course sand. Reason being, is that salt, over time is very corrosive and will deteriorate. Thanks for the info and video. I’ve never heard of salt paint before,lol!

        Reply

  17. Gina, this is really a cool idea and so authentic looking. I just read through all the comments and don’t see my question. I want to paint a canvas painting of the ocean and sand beach. If I replace the salt with sand so the salt doesn’t break down the canvas over time, could I use this concoction?

    Reply

    • Hi Susan, first, that sounds like such a beautiful project! I can’t say for sure as I haven’t tried it but can’t see why not. I would give it a try on a practice canvas first to see if you like the effect before using it on your actual project. I sure would love to see it when it’s done! Good luck 🙂

      Reply

    • I’m thinking you could Timothy, I haven’t tried it so can’t say for sure. If you give it a go, please let me know 🙂

      Reply

  19. awsome) may i konow the uses of this paint. Can u suggest me for exterioir walls of house ,less cost but strong for summer temp 45c.thanks

    Reply

    • It is definitely harder on a rough texture so you won’t get perfect clean lines, but I like it like that it looks more rustic and homey 🙂

      Reply

  25. Wowwww!! I love it. And the color too. Can you tell me what is the name of the color you used in this video please? I want to give it a try ans this is the color I m looking for.

    Reply

    • Thanks Christine! I used what I had left in an old bottle of acrylic paint I got at Hobby Lobby and no longer have it as I used it all. You can go to any craft store and find inexpensive acrylic paint and find one similar to this color, it was aqua. Good luck 🙂

      Reply

  27. Hi Gina,
    I read everything and watched your video. I would love to use this on a child’s bathroom wall….three children, all under 6 years of age share the same bathroom. Do you think it will hold up? Or, would I need to put some sort of sealer to my finished wall. I love the exact way yours looks and I think it will look really well for my Sponge Bob loving kids.

    Dennie

    Reply

    • That sounds like a fun bathroom idea Dennie, I am not sure how it would hold up with all of the moisture in a bathroom but a sealer would probably help!

      Reply

    • I do not know Heather, I haven’t tried it so couldn’t say. Let us know if you give it a try 🙂

      Reply

  30. Gina – Fabulous! I came across this page when meandering through this rabbit hole I fell into while on a hunt for some kind of powder that becomes paint when I add water that is cheaper than regular paint… (any suggestions?) I just read every single comment on this page and thought I’d tell you I became an instant fan and about about to peruse the rest of your site. We share the same signature color, and these comments have me wondering if yours was also inspired by Valium? haha Keep up the great work, Wonderwoman! My MadHatter’s hats’ off to you! XO, Adam

    Reply

  31. The mixture needs to be adjusted a little bit if you use regular wall paint. My mixture was much thinner than yours was with acrylic paint. I just did this today so I’ll update once it dries. I did this on 2 end tables.

    Reply

  32. Well, it came out super thick and not very uniform. I didn’t want to make the finish too thin but I ended up making it too thick. Too much to sand over and save it. The end tables are ruined 🙁 I would recommend anyone who is trying this to use a piece of test wood first. The part of the end tables I liked the most were the edges where I just brushed on the salt paint and the areas in the top that I didn’t put much on.
    I am going to take the tops off of the end tables and try again with fresh wood (after I’m happy with the sample) and I’m going to use acrylic paint.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *