In this post, I’ll share with you my super easy method for updating your cheap pumpkins to add color and texture! This is such a easy way to give your pumpkins a makeover without having to spend a ton of money on the fancy pumpkins from store. Such an easy fall painted pumpkin craft!

While decorating for fall this year, I decided I was “over” the orange pumpkin look and wanted my pumpkins to have more neutral, soft tones to them.

By the way, if you’d like to see my favorite fall decor picks this year, click right here!

Collecting my materials for my painted pumpkin craft

To start with, I collected all the orange pumpkins I had. Some were from the dollar store, the others were from the dollar spot at Target.

Then, I searched through my paint to find colors that I wanted to use on the pumpkin. I used a lot of the sample paints I’ve collected.

Lastly, I wanted to add texture to the pumpkin — similar to a concrete vibe — so I grabbed my baking powder and baking soda.

I grabbed both because I wanted to test each one. I had a clear winner almost immediately so let’s talk about that!

Using baking powder and paint

When I mixed the baking powder and paint, it started to “poof up” almost immediately. The paint became very dry and pastey and it was a bit too much texture for my liking.

I dabbed the paint on and it took a few coats to really cover the pumpkin.

You can see above that the pumpkin is very lumpy and how poofy/airy the paint became. I was really wanting more of a concrete texture so I tried the baking soda next so that I could compare.

Using baking soda and paint

Almost immediately I could tell that this was going to be the texture I was looking for. I used baking soda and paint for the rest of the pumpkins.

I continued to paint the pumpkins in a variety of colors.

Styling my pumpkins

Now that my pumpkins had a new look, I wanted to style them on my coffee table.

I grabbed a wooden tray from Hobby Lobby and arranged my pumpkins. When styling, I try to pay attention to the overall balance of things. Meaning, I try to mix up the sizes of things and not place two items that are too close in color and size together.

I added in a few acorns and I was done!

Easy Modern Pumpkinis

DIY Pumpkin Makeover: Easy Fall Craft To Upgrade Your Dollar Store Pumpkins!

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Active Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Upgrade your dollar store pumpkins with this easy fall craft!

Materials

Paint
Baking soda

Instructions

Add paint to bowls and mix in baking soda (1 spoonful at a time until desired consistency)
Tape off pumpkin stem if you don't want to get paint on it
Dab paint on pumpkin
Let dry

Notes

I tested baking powder vs baking soda to be the texture I liked. Feel free to test them for yourself! baking powder had more texture than I was looking for.
I personally chose to use paint that I already had, including samples I had collected as well as pumpkins I already owned and wanted to upgrade so this project did not cost me anything.
Style your pumpkins by mixing up the colors, sizes and shapes! Try not to put pumpkins that are too close in size and color together.

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