3 Easy “Funkin” Pumpkin Makeovers For Fall

It is only September 3rd, and I’ve got fall on the brain already.

We ended up having a chilly week last week, only getting into the sixties, and I guess it just started prepping me for sweaters and football and leaves. We’re back in the nineties this week, (rude) but now I’m stuck. Welcome fall, I’m waiting for you!!

To keep my fall spirits up in this heat wave, I decided to start prepping some fall decor. I had some boring old plastic pumpkins – or “funkins” I think they are called – from last year that I decided to spruce up a bit. These budget-friendly updates took minimal supplies, no special tools, and gave me some seriously cute new decor – without spending a dime

Time for a some pumpkin makeovers!

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Here are the pumpkins I started with:

Pumpkin 1: Chalk Paint Makeover

This orange funk-o-lantern was due for a shift. I wanted something soft, cozy, and vintage-y, so I went with a neutral chalk paint – specifically DecoArt Chalky Finish paint in “Whisper”—because it was already in my stash and I’m trying to use what I have. (Craft room overflow is real.) I know lots of people wig out about painting furniture, but I assume no one would give me too much grief about painting a plastic pumpkin. 😜

What I used:

Chalk paint (1 coat)
Bristle brush (for a distressed finish)

The bristle brush helped give it a naturally worn look, so I didn’t need to sand or fuss too much. You could also dry-brush a second color for extra depth if you’re feeling fancy.

Pumpkin 2: Spiderweb Fabric Wrap

You know those impossibly chic lace-wrapped pumpkins on Pinterest that look like Martha Stewart herself glued them in her sleep? I went for a less intimidating version.

I used a sheer spiderweb fabric I had leftover from a Halloween project, and while I planned to use Mod Podge all over the pumpkin to help adhere the fabric –GASP– I discovered I was completely out of Modge Podge! HORRORS!

I grabbed some clear tacky glue instead and decided to go for it anyway.

What I used:

Sheer spiderweb fabric
Clear tacky glue
Thread for stem wrap

I wrapped the fabric over the pumpkin top-to-bottom, twisted it snugly at the stem, and glued the excess to the base. A quick wrap of black thread around the stem helped it look finished. It’s spooky without being tacky.

Pumpkin 3: Lazy Metallic Drip Paint

Not every DIY needs 47 steps. This one was pure lazy magic, and I loved it.

I still had some great Modern Masters metallic paint in Black Pearl that I had yet to try, and I thought it would blend well with the shimmer of my fabric-wrapped pumpkin. I literally poured the paint over the top of the pumpkin and let gravity do its thing. That’s it. No brushing. No blending. No regrets.

Let it dry overnight and it looked way more expensive than it actually was.

DIY Pumpkin Decor: Easy, Cheap, and Custom

All three pumpkins came straight from my stash, and now I have a new fall display ready to go without dropping a dime. I love doing a mix of projects like these with pricier pieces I’ve picked up over the years; it makes seasonal decorating feel fresh without constantly shopping.

Now I have three fabulous new pumpkins for this year’s design plan – and it didn’t cost me a thing!

This post is part of the Pinterest Party Halloween Blog Hop. Pinterest Party is a Facebook group for pinners who love to collaborate and share. If you’re gathering ideas for Halloween be sure to follow along as each post is published. Here’s the schedule (UPDATED IN 2025 TO REMOVE BROKEN LINKS):