Easy DIY Terra Cotta Pumpkins: Pottery Barn Knockoff

Add some seasonal style to your Halloween front porch with these knockoff DIY terra cotta pumpkins.

Are you looking for a surprisingly easy way to add a festive touch to your home this fall? Look no further than DIY terra cotta pumpkins! These adorable pumpkins have a delightful, rustic charm that make them the perfect cozy addition to any space. Not only are they simple to assemble, they also provide a unique look that you won't find with traditional pumpkins.

Learn why this Pottery Barn terra cotta pumpkin dupe is quickly becoming the must-have holiday décor item. Plus, find out how to make your own with just a few materials in this easy crafting tutorial.

Supplies Needed for DIY Terra Cotta Pumpkins

• Plastic pumpkins - Grab these from Home Depot or Target. You can even check a local dollar store or craft store to see what options they have.
• Air dry clay
• Wire
• Charcoal spray paint
• Baking soda
• Chalk paint
• Paint brush
• Drop cloth

How to Make Pottery Barn Terra Cotta Pumpkins

If you love the look of terra cotta, these easy fall projects are just for you! And if you love this finish, try out my DIY terra cotta pot whitewash. Or you can try this easy aged pottery look with a mud vase DIY. Now let's get going on these awesome terra cotta knockoffs.

Make a Clay Stem

To make your own terra cotta Pottery Barn dupe, the first step is to recreate the stem of your plastic faux pumpkin. A short and squatty stem changes the look of the entire pumpkin, so I opted to build a longer stem out of air dry clay before creating the terra cotta look.

Because air dry clay can break very easily, it is best to use a drill and screw to attach a piece of wire first. Drill your wire directly into the stem. Any type of wire, like a metal coat hanger, will work for this.

When your wire is attached, take air dry clay and form it directly over the wire. Mold it into a long curved pumpkin stem for an authentic look or create your own version that you love. I like the air dry clay for these type of pumpkins because it is easy to use and looks more like a natural pumpkin stem.

Allow the air dry clay to dry and harden for approximately 2-3 days before moving on to the next step. If your air dry clay cracks during the hardening process, don't worry! This is normal for this type of material. This is also why the wire is added so the clay can be held together if there is some separation.

If you do find a crack, simply fill it in with paint as you are adding your paint layer. The crack will blend in with the texture of the stem.

Paint Pumpkins

Next up, it is time to add your paint colors. It is best to lay down a drop cloth or some type of floor coverage before you begin painting your small pumpkins.

For this DIY project I used a charcoal spray paint for the first coat, but any craft or acrylic paint will work on your plastic jack-o-lantern. I prefer the dark paint to a lighter color because it is neutral and blends well with my color scheme. If you have larger pumpkins, be sure to get coverage over the entire area. Then allow your coat of paint time to dry.

When the first coat is dry, it is now time to apply your chalked paint for the second coat. You can pick this up at Joann's or another local craft store. Chalked paint is great because it provides you with a strong matte finish and gives you so much texture for your terra cotta paint look.

Use a paintbrush to apply your chalked paint evenly. Apply multiple coats of paint if necessary for coverage.

Use Baking Soda

Take your painted pumpkin and apply baking soda while there is still wet paint. This will give you a nice finishing touch on your inexpensive pumpkins. Baking soda does not typically react with paint. Instead, it just dries and will give a terra cotta-like texture for the finish.

Now it's time to add your baking soda for the finishing touch. Baking soda doesn't typically react with paint. Instead, it dries and gives it a terra cotta-like texture, creating a good dupe of terra cotta exterior.

Proceed by dumping baking soda over the top of the pumpkin. Grab a dry paintbrush and slightly dab it in the chalked paint, a little bit at a time. Then, use that same brush (with paint on the brush) to pat in the baking soda all over the pumpkin. When you are done, let your pumpkin dry completely.

DIY Terra Cotta Pumpkins Copycat

And here you have the final product when they are dry - faux terracotta pumpkins. This is a great way to add a few more fall decorations.

Why Create a Terra Cotta Pumpkin?

• Lightweight - real terra cotta can be very inconvenient because it is so heavy. These are easy to move around and change where you put them.
• Using these inexpensive pumpkins is a great way to avoid paying the Pottery Barn price tag.
• You can customize these in different colors. Stick with an orange base if you like traditional, or branch out to other neutral tones to match your decorations.
• So versatile - style on your front porch or inside your home. Use it as decor on a side table or for a kitchen centerpiece.
• Don't rot like home-grown pumpkins.
• Reuse these year after year!

Create a stunning fall tablescape or front porch with this fresh take on a classic autumn decoration - DIY terra cotta pumpkins! These Pottery Barn knockoff pumpkins aren't just limited to outdoor display - with the right accessories, they can be the perfect addition to your fall centerpiece. Give your home a beautiful seasonal update this season with these faux terra cotta pumpkins in just a few easy steps. Don't wait for the store-bought pumpkins to arrive, make your own and enjoy for years to come.

Looking for more fall decorating inspiration? Try out some of our other pumpkin decor projects:

• Painted black pumpkins for your exterior front porch
• Easy Sharpie pumpkins that you can make with a black and white theme
• Thrifty DIY toilet paper pumpkins
• How to create succulent pumpkin toppers
• Shiplap pumpkins with a farmhouse style

Happy Decorating!

Brooke