25 Dollar Store Fall Crafts That Look Expensive

Painted dollar store pumpkins and candles styled as expensive looking fall decor

You can make lovely fall decor for very little money with dollar store finds. Foam pumpkins, fake leaves, plain candles, wood signs, and ribbon are the best buys. A coat of paint, a bit of glue, and calm colors make cheap items look like they came from a home store. Below are 25 easy projects, plus the simple tricks that make them look expensive.

Sites like The Crazy Craft Lady share many dollar store fall crafts each year, and the idea is always the same. Start with a cheap base, change the color or finish, and style it well. That is the plan for every project on this list.

What to Grab at the Dollar Store

  • Bases: Foam pumpkins, wood signs, plain wreaths, glass jars, wood crates, and picture frames.
  • Nature look items: Fake leaves, mini pinecones, fake acorns, twine, and raffia.
  • Soft goods: Plaid cloth, burlap ribbon, fall napkins, and plain tea towels.
  • Light: Plain candles, tea lights, and small string lights.
  • Craft basics: Hot glue, craft paint in white, cream, sage, and rust, plus foam brushes.

25 Dollar Store Fall Crafts

  1. Painted foam pumpkins. Buy orange foam pumpkins. Paint them cream, sage, or soft rust, let dry, and add a real twig or twine stem for a calm, high end look.
    2. Pastel painted pumpkins in soft fall colors arranged with paint and craft supplies on a white table for a handmade Halloween craft session
  2. Pumpkin candle holders. Buy small foam pumpkins and battery tea lights. Cut a shallow hole in the top, set the tea light in, and group three on a tray.
    3. Charming ceramic pumpkin shaped candle holders in warm fall tones arranged as cozy autumn table decor for the harvest season at home
  3. Leaf garland. Buy two packs of fake leaves and twine. Clip or glue leaves along the twine and hang it on a shelf, door, or mirror.
    4. Fabric autumn leaves in red orange and gold hanging along a rope garland against a soft forest backdrop in warm fall light
  4. Mason jar leaf lanterns. Buy glass jars and fake leaves. Glue leaves to the outside of the jar, tie twine at the top, and add a battery tea light inside.
    5. A warm candle glowing inside a glass jar surrounded by an autumn arrangement of leaves and seasonal decor on a cozy table
  5. Plaid pumpkin wrap. Buy a foam pumpkin and a plaid scarf or cloth. Wrap the cloth around the pumpkin, tuck the ends at the top, and tie with twine.
    6. Small pumpkins and fall leaves arranged on a red and white checkered tablecloth outdoors for a cozy autumn picnic table scene
  6. Wood sign makeover. Buy a fall wood sign with words you do not love. Paint over it in cream, let dry, and write a simple word like gather or hello fall with a paint pen.
    7. Cozy indoor fall decor with pumpkins beside a wooden Hello Fall sign styled on a surface for warm seasonal home decoration
  7. Acorn vase filler. Buy fake acorns and a glass vase. Fill the vase, set a candle in the middle, and use it as a table center piece.
    8. Acorns and autumn leaves scattered on a clean white background showing the warm brown tones and textures of classic fall nature finds
  8. Burlap wreath. Buy a wreath form and burlap ribbon. Loop the ribbon through the form all the way around, then add a few fake leaves and a bow.
    9. A colorful autumn wreath with fall leaves and berries hanging on a front door as festive seasonal decor for a home entrance
  9. Napkin decoupage pumpkins. Buy white foam pumpkins and pretty fall napkins. Glue napkin pieces onto the pumpkin with craft glue for a soft printed look. This idea is shown in detail in these dollar store fall paper napkin crafts style projects.
    10. An orange pumpkin decorated with a hand drawn artistic design resting on a rustic background for a creative autumn craft display
  10. Twine wrapped pumpkins. Buy foam pumpkins and twine. Glue and wrap twine around the whole pumpkin, then add a small stick stem.
    11. Rustic fall decorations with twine pinecones and small fabric pumpkins arranged close together for a cozy handmade autumn craft table look
  11. Fall leaf frame art. Buy a plain frame and fake leaves. Glue leaves in a neat row or circle on paper, frame it, and lean it on a shelf.
    12. A framed collection of autumn leaves displayed on a wall and lit with warm string lights for cozy seasonal home wall decor
  12. Cinnamon stick candles. Buy a plain candle and cinnamon sticks. Stand the sticks around the candle and tie them on with twine for a warm fall scent and look.
    13. Glass jar scented candles decorated with cinnamon sticks on a reflective surface creating a warm and cozy spiced fall atmosphere indoors
  13. Mini pumpkin place cards. Buy mini pumpkins and card stock. Write guest names on small cards and rest one card on each pumpkin at the table.
    14. An autumn table place setting with a mini pumpkin silverware and a green napkin styled for a fall dinner party table
  14. Wood crate centerpiece. Buy a small wood crate. Fill it with mini pumpkins, pinecones, and leaves for an easy table box you can move anywhere.
    15. Colorful pumpkins and gourds piled inside a rustic wooden crate outdoors showing a fresh autumn harvest display in warm daylight
  15. Leaf stamped tea towels. Buy plain tea towels, fake leaves, and craft paint. Press paint on a leaf and stamp it onto the towel for simple fall kitchen cloths.
    16. A yellow kitchen towel styled with autumn maple leaves and eggs in a warm fall baking scene on a rustic table
  16. Pumpkin topiary. Buy three foam pumpkins in shrinking sizes and a wood dowel. Stack them on the dowel, paint them one color, and set the stack in a pot.
    17. Three pumpkins stacked one above another with hand drawn designs on a soft pastel background forming a playful fall topiary shape
  17. Fall welcome mat layer. Buy a plain mat and a plaid cloth. Lay the cloth under the mat at an angle for the layered look you see in home stores.
    18. White black and orange pumpkins resting on a checkered mat in a close fall arrangement showing the layered mat porch look
  18. Glitter free gold leaves. Buy fake leaves and gold craft paint. Paint the leaves gold and scatter them on a table or glue them to a plain wreath.
    19. Golden maple leaves in warm sunlight shown in close detail with rich yellow tones that suit a gold leaf fall table scatter
  19. Sweater pumpkins. Buy a foam pumpkin and use an old sweater sleeve from home. Wrap, tuck, and tie the top. If you love yarn crafts too, try our yarn pumpkins DIY next.
    20. A knitted pumpkin styled on a rustic autumn table with candles eggs and fall leaves for a cozy handmade sweater pumpkin look
  20. Pinecone fire starters look. Buy pinecones and a basket. Just pile them in the basket near the fireplace or on a shelf for a cozy woodsy touch. These are for looks only.
    21. Pinecones piled inside a knitted basket resting on books beside a window for a cozy rustic woodland style home decoration
  21. Book page pumpkins. Buy a foam pumpkin and use pages from a worn book. Glue strips of paper over the pumpkin for a soft vintage finish.
    22. Pumpkins resting on a stack of old books in a rustic autumn still life with warm tones and a vintage reading mood
  22. Fall tiered tray set. Buy a small tray, mini pumpkins, and a tiny sign. Style them tight together with leaves. Small trays make cheap items look planned.
    23. Three decorative mini pumpkins arranged on a rustic wooden tray in soft natural sunlight for a simple styled fall tray display
  23. Leaf window clings craft. Buy clear contact paper and fake leaves. Press leaves between two sheets and cut shapes to stick on windows. Kids love this one.
    24. Autumn trees with red and gold foliage seen through the panes of a house window in bright seasonal daylight from indoors
  24. Harvest jar gifts. Buy jars, twine, and fall candy or cookie mix. Fill, tie, and add a hand written tag for a sweet low cost gift.
    25. Homemade preserves in glass jars wrapped with paper covers and string ready to give as simple rustic harvest season gifts
  25. Pressed leaf coasters. Buy plain tiles or cork rounds and fake or real dry leaves. Glue a leaf on top and seal it. For real leaf crafts, see our pressed flower crafts guide for drying tips.
    26. A glass of tea resting on a round wooden coaster beside books on a table in a warm and cozy reading scene

Tips to Make Cheap Crafts Look Expensive

  • Pick a tight color set. Cream, wood tones, sage, and one warm color like rust look rich. Too many bright colors look cheap.
  • Paint the orange away. Most foam items look better in a soft matte color. Two thin coats beat one thick coat.
  • Add real texture. Twine, wood, burlap, and real twigs make fake items feel real.
  • Group items in threes. Three pumpkins or three candles styled close look like a set from a store.
  • Remove tags and shiny bits. Cut off price tags, plastic shine, and extra glitter before you display anything.
  • Use warm light. Battery candles and soft lamps make fall colors glow in photos and in real life.

More fall leaf ideas can be found in this roundup of gorgeous fall leaf crafts, which shows how one cheap supply can turn into many projects.

FAQ

What are the best dollar store fall items to buy?

Foam pumpkins, fake leaves, plain candles, wood signs, glass jars, and twine give you the most projects for the least money. Craft paint from home finishes almost all of them.

How do I stop dollar store crafts from looking cheap?

Paint bright items in soft matte colors, stick to a small color set, add natural texture like twine or wood, and group pieces in threes. Those four steps do most of the work.

Are dollar store fall crafts safe around candles?

Use battery tea lights with foam, paper, and fake leaves. Keep real candle flames away from foam pumpkins, dry leaves, and cloth.

How long do these crafts take?

Most take 10 to 30 minutes, plus drying time for paint or glue. The wreath and topiary take a bit longer but are still one sitting projects.

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