How to Turn a Goodwill Thrifted Wall Pocket into Stylish DIY Home Decor

Last week, I made a quick trip to the Goodwill Bins on the hunt for unique pieces to style in our new home—and oh my goodness, did I hit the jackpot! If you’ve ever been to the Bins, you know it’s a bit of a treasure hunt, but that’s half the fun, right? You never know what you’re going to find.

One of my favorite scores this time? A funky little frog figurine that was just begging for a fresh coat of paint. Did you see how it turned out? I shared it here—check it out!

Another gem I snagged was this wall pocket. I always keep an eye out for these because they’re so versatile and easy to DIY. You can hang them on a wall, prop them up on a shelf, or even use them in seasonal vignettes. The shape of this one was perfect—simple, classic, and full of potential.

Items Needed: 

• Wall Pocket Hanger
• STAALMEESTER Pointed Sash Brush*
• Dixie Belle Chalk Paint – Cotton*
• IOD Paint Inlay – Portifino*
• Fusion Mister Bottle*
• STAALMEESTER Fitch Angeled Brush*
• Dixie Belle Chalk Paint – Yankee Blue*
• Floral & Greenery (optional)
• Wooden Spoons (optional)

*Product can be purchased directly through my website [www.juliesdesignsandsigns.com]

As soon as I brought it home, I knew exactly what it needed: the IOD Portofino Paint Inlay. If you haven’t used one yet, this is your sign to try it! It completely transformed the piece, giving it a rich, old-world, artisan look that I absolutely love. The details are stunning, and the layered texture makes it feel like a high-end boutique find—not something I pulled from a thrift bin.

The IOD Portofino Paint Inlay comes as an 8-sheet pad (each sheet is 12×16″) and is full of old-world charm. The designs are inspired by vintage European tiles and include a mix of cobalt blue patterns, pretty florals, borders, typography, and decorative labels — all accented with rich golds and pops of lemon yellow.

First, I needed to paint the wall pocket I thrifted, so I reached for one of my go-to white paints: Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in the color Cotton. It’s the perfect bright white for a clean, fresh base.

Using a STAALMEESTER Pointed Sash Brush, I applied the first coat of paint to the entire piece, making sure to cover all the surfaces evenly.

While the first coat was drying, I selected and cut out the IOD Paint Inlay design I wanted to use. I chose a pattern that I thought would complement the shape and size of the wall pocket beautifully.

Because I wanted full coverage for the inlay, I applied a second coat of paint over the first.

IMPORTANT: While that second coat was still wet, I carefully laid the inlay face down exactly where I wanted the design to transfer onto the piece.

Using my hands, I gently pressed the inlay into the wet paint, making sure it made good contact across the surface.

Next, I grabbed my Fusion Mister Bottle and lightly spritzed the back of the inlay until it was fully dampened.

Then I let the paint and inlay dry completely. This is where the magic starts to set in!

Once it was fully dry, I misted the inlay one more time with the Fusion Mister Bottle to rehydrate the backing paper before the reveal.

Now for the fun part! While the inlay was still damp, I carefully peeled back the paper—and there it was: a beautiful, intricate design transferred onto the wall pocket like it was always meant to be there.

How pretty is that?? 😍

You know me—I can never resist adding one more touch right at the end of a project. I decided to add a little paint trim to the top and bottom of the piece using Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in the color Yankee Blue and my STAALMEESTER Fitch Angled Brush. It gave the piece a crisp, finished look with just the right amount of contrast.

Last but not least, I let everything dry fully before styling it in our home. It’s now one of my favorite little accent pieces—full of charm and personality.

If you’ve been thinking about trying your hand at DIY home decor, thrift store finds are such a fun and affordable way to start. You get to be creative, try something new, and end up with pieces that feel uniquely you.

Have you ever used an IOD paint inlay or found a hidden gem at the bins? I’d love to hear what you’re styling in your space!

---

This blog is all about How to Turn a Goodwill Thrifted Wall Pocket into Stylish DIY Home Decor

DISCLAIMER: This blog post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links provided I may receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my blog so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

---