Modern Halloween Decor from a Plastic Pumpkin Bucket

Plastic pumpkin buckets are a common sight at thrift stores during the Fall, aren’t they? And when they’re not loaded with candy, they’re loaded with upcycling possibilities. So, I decided to give one a makeover for my latest project for the Charlotte Region ReStore blog. I wanted to create some modern Halloween decor that was neither cutesy nor spooky.

You make recall that I gave a junky makeover to some of these two years ago. I used rust effect paint to give them a very weathered and rusty look.

Even though I still love how those turned out, I was looking for a much cleaner, sleeker look this time. So, I found yet another candy bucket at Habitat ReStore and got to work!

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This project is also sponsored by the Charlotte Region ReStore(s).

Making a Metallic Pumpkin Planter

First, I needed to remove the handle from each plastic pumpkin bucket. Which was, of course, super simple- especially with my mixed media shears which cut through all sorts of things.

Then, it was time to prep them for a modern makeover. Because the candy buckets are made of fairly smooth plastic, I grabbed some white primer to spray them with first.

After a single coat of white primer (it doesn’t have to be completely opaque), it was time for the star of the show: metallic spray paint.

I really do love this copper spray paint. So much so that I’ve used it on a few other projects, as well, such as these metal pumpkins and these decorative thumbtacks.

Anyway, I used two coats of copper spray paint and the plastic pumpkin bucket looked like this once the paint dried. Gorgeous, right?

Just for fun, I gave makeovers to two plastic pumpkin buckets: this one in copper and another in gold. The gold was pretty and all, but the copper had me swooning.

To finish up the modern Halloween decor, I filled in the jack-o-lantern face with black paint.

Lastly, I gave the exterior of the jack-o-lantern a quick top coat with a clear glossy spray to protect the makeover. And that was it!

Modern Halloween Decor from a Plastic Pumpkin Bucket

My plan for the copper jack-o-lantern? A Halloween planter (for fake plants) to use as chic and modern Halloween decor. 

It’s sleek and chic and perfect for a modern or Boho-inspired home, don’t you think?

It’s such a simple makeover, but it really packs a punch. Don’t get me wrong, I love orange pumpkins at this time of year, but the metallic paint really adds a level of snazziness to it.

Which metallic color would you try this with? Personally, I love the copper, but an aged bronze or burnished gold might look awesome, too.

Either way, a flowing green plant (real or faux) looks gorgeous against the metallic pumpkin planter, don’t you think? It definitely has a different feel to it than your typical Halloween decor.

I hope you enjoyed this super simple, but very effective upcycling idea for modern Halloween decor from plastic pumpkin buckets! And as always, I encourage you to also visit the tutorial on the Charlotte Region ReStores’ blog, as well.

If you enjoyed this take on Boho or modern Halloween decor, then you may also be interested in these simple jack-o-planters, as well!

And for another fresh and modern take on Halloween decor, check out these Halloween Terrariums that I upcycled, too!

Craft on!

S

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