Painted Dollar Store Pumpkins With French Country Charm

Students have returned to school, the leaves are starting to turn, and the scent of pumpkin spice is in the air. Whether we like it or not Autumn is here and it's time to put away the seashells and pull out the pumpkins and gourds. To help inspire you to get your Fall DIY On, I'll be sharing several easy 30 Minute Fall Craft Ideas over the next few weeks. Starting with these inexpensive painted dollar store pumpkins with French Country charm that can be customized to match your decor.

Painted Dollar Store Pumpkins With French Country Charm

Painting pumpkins is so easy that you may find yourself going back to the dollar store to buy more.

The Fall pillow in the photo below is also a Fall DIY project. You can find the tutorial here in my Stenciled Fall Checkered Pillow Covers post.

These are some of the plastic dollar store pumpkins I started with before taking a paintbrush to them. Yes, I did go back for more because I was having way too much fun.

There are only two steps to transforming those orangey pumpkins so they fit beautifully with your home decor.

Instructions for painting dollar store pumpkins

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. At no cost to you, we receive a small commission if you make a purchase.

Step 1 - It's all about the paint

The trick to getting that lovely matte finish is using a chalky paint. No need to prep, the paint comes in an array of beautiful colors and dries so quickly that you'll be done in minutes.

Most of the chalk paint I used for the pumpkins I had on hand but any chalky finish paint in colors that match your home decor will work. I used Old White and Arles Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, Luscious Lime Country Chic Paint, and Grotto 6439 FolkArt Home Decor Chalk.

They already look so pretty and we still have another step. Can you see the difference between the pumpkins in the back and the one in the forefront?

Step 2 - Aged to perfection with brown glaze or dark wax

Aging the pumpkins with a brown glaze or dark wax deepens the color and creates that beautiful timeworn finish. The teal and yellow pumpkins were aged with Van Dyke Brown Glaze from Dixie Belle Paint Company. The green and white pumpkins were aged with Antique Brown Wax.

Age with glaze

• Brush the glaze deep into the ribs of the pumpkin with either an inexpensive chip brush or small art brush.
• Dip just the tips of the brush into water and move the glaze all over the pumpkin. 
• Remove the excess glaze with a lint-free rag or paper towel. 
• You may need to add more glaze into the ribs to achieve the look you want. 
• Dab glaze around the stem to resemble dirt that settles on top of pumpkins in the patch.
• No worries if you add too much glaze, just dab more paint onto the pumpkin. 
• There are no rules - just play with the finish until you get the look you want.

In the photo below you can see the difference between the dark waxed pumpkin in the back and the unwaxed pumpkin in the front.

Aged with dark wax

• Rub dark wax deep into the ribs of the pumpkin with a cotton swab.
• Blend the wax with a lint-free rag.
• If you add too much wax you can remove the excess with clear wax.
• As with the glaze, there are no rules. Play with the finish until you get the look you want. 

I love decorating with an assortment of pumpkins. I'll mix painted pumpkins with Fabric Pumpkins, Sweater Pumpkins, and Burlap Pumpkins for different textures. The possibilities are endless for creating French Country, Farmhouse or whatever style suits your decor.

If my teal and lime painted pumpkins are not your preference, there are so many traditional Fall chalky paint options available. Here's an out-of-the-box idea, what about soft pink with metallic gold?

For more Fall inspiration visit my DIY Fall Ideas page.

If you have any questions about this project, please leave them in the comment section below or press the Contact Me button at the top of the blog to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!

I share my projects at these fabulous link parties.