Skip to Content

How to Transform a Dollar Store Pumpkin in 5 Simple Steps

Wait until you see how easy it is to transform an ugly Dollar Store pumpkin! Follow these 5 simple steps to create a super cute rustic burlap pumpkin for your fall home decor.

It’s that time of year!

Pumpkin spice drinks

and pumpkin decor

and pumpkin crafting

it’s time for pumpkin everything!

Today I’m sharing a super cute pumpkin DIY project that I know you’re going to just love.

You may even want to make more than one…they’re that cute!

It’s a really easy & affordable fall craft.

You’re going to want to go to the Dollarstore now.

Seriously…

Go now!

What Supplies Do You Need for a Pumpkin Makeover?

Posts on Simply2Moms may contain affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  You can read our full disclosure policy here.

You don’t need many supplies and you may even have some already on hand like I did.

The only thing I had to purchase for this fall DIY project was the carvable styrofoam pumpkin from the Dollarstore.

If you don’t have a dollar store near you I’ve linked an option from Amazon below.

The price lowers if you buy a set of four and drops even more if you get a set of six.

So go ahead and order a bunch to make them this fall!

How to Makeover an Ugly Foam Pumpkin

Step 1: Remove Foam Pumpkin Stem

The green pumpkin stem is easy to pull out of the carvable styrofoam pumpkin.

It’s just attached with a toothpick so go ahead and pull it out because we are going to replace it with something even better later!

You’ll need to create a larger opening on the top of the pumpkin.

Use a pair of scissors to make a bigger hole where you just removed the green stem.

Step 2: Paint Pumpkin

person holding pumpkin in  one hand and paint brush in other painting styrofoam pumpkin paper plate with paint on it sitting on wood table

I painted the pumpkin so the bright orange didn’t show through the burlap because I wanted a more neutral end result.

If orange is your jam and you want a peek of color through the open weave of the burlap then you can totally skip painting it first.

two small bottles of craft paint with chip paint brush laying on table next to painted pumpkin on paper plate

Since I was using paint that I already had in my craft supplies, I added a little white to brown craft paint to create a color closer to the burlap.

But this color is probably a better match if you need to buy some.

This took all of five minutes to cover the pumpkin with one coat of paint.

The trickiest part was not getting it all over my hands. lol

Step 3: Cut Burlap into Strips

I used 5″ burlap garland ribbon that I already had in my stash of craft supplies.

Yay for another free item to complete this makeover!

I always have this burlap on hand for various craft projects and gift wrapping.

The width is great for so many things and love it as garland on my Christmas tree but for this craft, it was a little too wide.

Follow these steps to get the correct size strips of burlap.

First, cut 2 – 18″ lengths of the burlap garland.

Then cut each of the 18″ lengths in half lengthwise to create four pieces of burlap.

Step 4: Wrap Pumpkin with Burlap

painted pumpkin with strips of burlap spread out around on wood table

First, lay the burlap strips on the table evenly spaced in a circular pattern.

Then, take the painted foam pumpkin and place it in the center of the pieces of burlap.

Next, pull each side of each strip of burlap over the pumpkin to the top and push the end of the burlap into the larger hole you made earlier.

persons hands wrapping burlap ribbon into dollar store pumpkin on wood table

The burlap pieces should be long enough to fit down into the hold on the top of the pumpkin.

However, if the burlap doesn’t feel secure in the hole you can grab a glue gun and attach the top of the burlap to the pumpkin.

Repeat this step for each strip of burlap until the pumpkin is covered and all the ends are secured on the top of the pumpkin.

Step 5: Add Pumpkin Stem

I found a small fallen tree branch from the woods behind my house and broke a piece off for the stem.

Push the stick as far into the hole on top of the pumpkin as you can.

The new stem not only looks great, but it will also hold the ends of the burlap in place!

If you want to be sure the stick will stay in place you can add a bit of glue but I didn’t feel the need as mine was pretty secure.

completed diy burlap pumpkin with branch stem on wood table

So cute right!?!

Simple to make!

And you can’t beat the cost to make this!

Where Can You Display a DIY Burlap Pumpkin?

diy burlap pumpkin on stack of books on wicker side table next to couch

Well, I’m so very glad you asked!

I had fun styling this super cute DIY burlap pumpkin.

Why not sit the little guy on a stack of books?

Here he’s the center of attention on a wicker side table!

diy pumpkin with wood bead garland on books

Do you have a string of wood and twine beads?

Yes!?

Then throw some around the burlap pumpkin to dress him up a bit more.

burlap pumpkin on wood table next to vase of fall stems

You can add your new burlap pumpkin to a fall vignette on a console table.

The natural texture of the burlap looks beautiful next to this rustic vase of fall stems.

The neutral colors coordinate so well and are just perfect for fall.

Give the little pumpkin some height by placing it on a small wood riser and let him take the stage on the table

Which spot do you like best?

Do you have any other ideas on how to transform a dollar store pumpkin?

Script text reading: "shop this post"

Click on any image to shop items from this post

collage of products to make a burlap pumpkin

Questions or suggestions, contact me or leave a comment!

Don’t miss any of our tips, tricks, or stories! We’d love for you to follow us on social media! You can find us on TikTok, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.

Pin it to Remember it:

Pinterest graphic