This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience in finding products to create this DIY Fall Decor centerpiece.
Pumpkins are one of my favorite things about Fall. They are also one of the easiest ways to add a touch of Fall flavor to your home’s decor.
I found some of the cutest little white pumpkins at the grocery store. They are the inspiration behind my Fall and Thanksgiving centerpiece this year.
Instead of traditional autumn colors, I decided to do something different. I am pairing the white pumpkins with green faux eucalyptus stems. It’s a more neutral look that I see a lot in Farmhouse decor.
The unfinished wooden planter box is the third element in my centerpiece.
To keep with the Farmhouse theme, I painted it with chalk paint to give it a distressed, faux barnwood finish. It was easy, and I’ll tell you how to do it below.
Don’t want to paint your box? It’s OK to skip this step! The Unfinished Wooden Planter Box has a natural rustic wood finish that looks great as-is.
Whether you choose to paint the box or not, it can be the base for your decorative centerpieces all year long. All you will have to do is switch out the contents of the box to fit the season or holiday.
Let me know if you have any ideas for box fillers. December’s box may be filled to the brim with colorful round Christmas ornaments.
The white pumpkins and eucalyptus centerpiece looks pretty as-is, but I ended up adding an unfinished wood bead garland. I made this by simply stringing wood beads on baker’s twine.
Then, I added the mini wood slice pumpkins. I made them with small unfinished wood slices and twigs from my yard! See how to make wood slice pumpkins here at my other blog post.
My wooden box centerpiece is simple enough for anyone to make. Once you have painted the box, filling it with a layer of faux eucalyptus and adding the white pumpkins takes a few minutes at most.
The faux eucalyptus is one of my favorite greenery stems, and will be useful in future centerpiece ideas.
How To Paint Your Unfinished Wooden Planter Box For a Faux Distressed Gray and White Barnwood Look
Materials Needed:
- Unfinished Wooden Planter Box
- Chalk Paintbrush
- Chalk Paint (White color, Matte Finish)
- Chalk Paint (Gray color, Matte Finish)
- Faux Eucalyptus Stems
- White Pumpkins (Fake ones like these last for years)
1. Use a paintbrush to paint the outside of the box (include the top edges) with the dark gray color chalk paint. Allow to dry completely.
Note: I had originally painted this with a light blue chalk paint color, but decided to go for the distressed gray and white wood look. I completely painted over the light blue layer with dark gray chalk paint.
2. Use the tip of a paintbrush to dab white chalk paint on top of the gray chalk paint. I used the tip of the paint brush to apply the white paint with dabbing motions.
I did not try to completely cover the gray color underneath. I did not try to smooth out the white paint. Parts of this layer are thicker than others where I dabbed it on. I did this on purpose so the paint layer will create a texture on top of the wood.
Allow this layer to dry completely.
3. Use the paintbrush to apply a second layer of white chalk paint in long, even strokes. Don’t do a perfect job, though! You do not want to completely paint over the gray layer.
Leaving the gray paint exposed to create the faux distressed look, especially around the edges where wear-and-tear would occur on the box. Allow paint to dry completely.
Now that your wooden box is completely dry, it is ready to fill with your decorative elements! I filled mine with white pumpkins and eucalyptus. Read on for how it’s done.
DIY Fall Decor: Wooden Box Centerpiece with Pumpkins and Eucalpytus
What You’ll Need:
- DIY Unfinished Wooden Planter Box
- Faux Eucalyptus Stems (3-6 stems)
- Small White Pumpkins (I used 4 real pumpkins, but you could use artificial white pumpkins)
- Box Filler: Brown Kraft Paper
Directions:
1. Add crumpled brown kraft paper to fill the empty space at the bottom of the box almost all the way up to the top of the box.
2. Arrange faux Eucalyptus stems in a layer on top of the kraft paper. Bend the wire stems to spread out the Eucalyptus leaves as needed.
3. Nestle pumpkins in the Eucalyptus leaves, spacing pumpkins a few inches apart.
Wasn’t that so easy? This DIY Fall decor can be your table centerpiece all season long. It also makes a lovely Thanksgiving table centerpiece.
Fall Decor White Pumpkin Centerpiece with Eucalpytus
Easy Fall Decor Ideas! See how to make a fall centerpiece using a wood planter box, pumpkins, and eucalyptus. This DIY Fall decor can be your table centerpiece all season long. It also makes a lovely Thanksgiving table centerpiece.
Tools
- Unfinished Wooden Planter Box
- Chalk Paintbrush
- Chalk Paint (White color, Matte Finish)
- Chalk Paint (Gray color, Matte Finish)
- Faux Eucalyptus Stems
- White Pumpkins
- Faux Eucalyptus Stems (3-6 stems)
- Brown Kraft Paper
Instructions
1. Use a paintbrush to paint the outside of the box (include the top edges) with the dark gray color chalk paint. Allow to dry completely.
2. Use the tip of a paintbrush to dab white chalk paint on top of the gray chalk paint. I used the tip of the paint brush to apply the white paint with dabbing motions.
I did not try to completely cover the gray color underneath. I did not try to smooth out the white paint. Parts of this layer are thicker than others where I dabbed it on. I did this on purpose so the paint layer will create a texture on top of the wood.
Allow this layer to dry completely.
3. Use the paintbrush to apply a second layer of white chalk paint in long, even strokes. Don't do a perfect job, though! You do not want to completely paint over the gray layer.
Leaving the gray paint exposed to create the faux distressed look, especially around the edges where wear-and-tear would occur on the box. Allow paint to dry completely.
Now that your wooden box is completely dry, it is ready to fill with your decorative elements! I filled mine with white pumpkins and eucalyptus. Here's how:
1. Add crumpled brown kraft paper to fill the empty space at the bottom of the box almost all the way up to the top of the box.
2. Arrange faux Eucalyptus stems in a layer on top of the kraft paper. Bend the wire stems to spread out the Eucalyptus leaves as needed.
3. Nestle pumpkins in the Eucalyptus leaves, spacing pumpkins a few inches apart.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Wooden Planter Box (17"x5" H:4") with Removable Plastic Liner | Multiple Colors Rustic Rectangle Indoor Decorative Box
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FolkArt 36300 Home Decor Chalk Furniture & Craft Paint in Assorted Colors, 2 ounce, White Adirondack
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Brown Kraft Paper Roll - 18" x 1,200" (100') Made in The USA - Ideal for Packing, Moving, Gift Wrapping, Postal, Shipping, Parcel, Wall Art, Crafts, Bulletin Boards, Floor Covering, Table Runner
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12 PCS Assorted Sizes Rustic Harvest White Artificial Pumpkins for Halloween, Fall Thanksgiving Decorating Harvest Embellishing and Displaying
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FolkArt Home Decor Chalk Furniture & Craft Paint in Assorted Colors, 8 ounce, Parisian Grey
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Tiyard 18pcs Eucalyptus Stems Artificial Eucalyptus Leaves Stems Real Grey Green Touch Leaf Branches for Home Office Flowers Bouquet Centerpiece Wedding Decoration
Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with festive party supplies, easy-to-assemble Thanksgiving crafts for kids.
Don’t miss out on the best pumpkin bread recipe EVER. It’s a family favorite you need to make this Fall and holiday season.
Emily says
LOVE it! I’m going very non-traditional with my pumpkin colors this year too. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Mariyah A. says
We were so inspired by your post that we added it to the 23 Best DIY Fall Craft Ideas list at Craftcuts.com! Thank you for inspiring us for this Fall holiday season! Keep up the great work.
You can check out our post here: https://www.craftcuts.com/community/home-decor/diy-fall-craft-ideas/
Nicole says
Thank you so much, Mariyah. I can’t wait to check out your Fall post and share it with my readers. Happy Fall to you! —Nicole
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
Nicole, I LOVE this centerpiece! It is so pretty and relaxing with the white pumpkins and eucalyptus. Just beautiful. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Nicole says
Thank you so much for the centerpiece compliments, Lorelai! Made my day happy! 🙂
sahana says
So beautiful. Love the way you have painted the wooden box. #HomeMattersParty
Nicole says
Thank you, Sahana! 🙂
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
This is beautiful! I really need to spend some more time looking at Oriental Trading again. I really like what you did with the wooden box. #HomeMattersParty
Kristen from The Road to Domestication says
This is beautiful! I love the scent of eucalyptus, but I must admit, I didn’t know what it looked like – so pretty! Happy to be hosting the #HomeMattersParty with you!
Sinea says
Oh I love this white pumpkin centerpiece! Pinned it twice ♥ Found you on the #HomeMattersParty!
Nicole says
Thank you, Sinea! I appreciate your kind comments and the pins. 🙂 –Nicole