Easy Checkered Pumpkin DIY To Add Charm to Your Fall Decor

This easy checkered pumpkin DIY is such a fun way to dress up your fall pumpkins. With a little paint and a dash of creativity, you’ll have a playful piece that brings instant charm to your autumn decor.

Paint an easy DIY checkered fall pumpkin.

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I’ve had a long-standing love affair with the MacKenzie-Childs brand—the colors, the patterns, the pure whimsy!

Their pieces are so vibrant and full of personality that they instantly make a home feel more playful and inviting.

The only catch?

They can be a little on the pricey side.

That’s why I get such a thrill out of creating my own version of those high-end looks.

This easy checkerboard pattern pumpkin DIY gives you all the fun, charm, and seasonal flair without the big price tag, and it’s such a joyful way to bring that same whimsical spirit into your fall decor!

So, grab a pumpkin, some paint, and a little courage. (This is really easy!)

Let’s dive into this checkered pumpkin DIY and make our own bit of fall magic!

A MacKenzie-Childs black and white pumpkin.

How to Make a DIY Checkered Pumpkin

This pumpkin makeover is such a fun fall craft idea! Whether you’re using a real pumpkin or a fake craft pumpkin from your local craft store, this project will give you all the charm of buffalo check pumpkins without the high price tag.

With a little paint and some patience, you’ll have painted pumpkins that look like chic home decor accents.

Supplies You’ll Need

White pumpkin (real or fake pumpkin)
White acrylic paint (or spray paint for a smooth base color)
Black acrylic craft paints
Paint brush (a flat one works best)
Ruler or measuring tape
Pencil (for sketching lines)
Paper plate or palette for paints
Damp cloth for quick touch-ups

Step 1: Choose Your Pumpkin

Start with a white pumpkin if you can find one—it saves time!

If your own pumpkin isn’t white, no problem. Just cover the whole pumpkin with white paint or spray paint for your base color.

A craft pumpkin from the local craft store works especially well because it will last for many seasons, but a real pumpkin is just as charming for short-term fall decor.

Step 2: Mark Horizontal Lines

Place your pumpkin on a flat surface and begin measuring from the top of the pumpkin near the pumpkin stem.

I couldn’t find my ruler, so I ended up using a spackle knife as my measuring tool.

Whatever works!

Make small pencil marks equidistant around the pumpkin, then connect the dots to create a horizontal line.

Continue measuring and marking around the whole pumpkin until you’ve drawn evenly spaced horizontal stripes.

Measuring for spacing dots on a faux pumpkin.

Pencil lines drawn for a checkered pumpkin DIY.

Connecting marked dots with a pencil for checkered pumpkin DIY.

Then outline each stripe with a black paint marker. It’s so easy!

Outlining horizontal pencil lines for a DIY checkerboard fall pumpkin.

Completed painted horizontal lines on a faux pumpkin.

Step 3: Paint Vertical Stripes

Instead of drawing vertical lines, let the pumpkin guide you!

Use the natural vertical indentations on the pumpkin as markers for painting vertical stripes.

This keeps the checkerboard pattern looking even while saving you time with measuring.

Painting vertical lines on a faux pumpkin to create a checkerboard pattern.

Step 4: Paint the Black Squares

Before you start painting, go around the pumpkin and lightly mark every other square with an “X.” This way, you’ll know exactly which boxes to fill in and won’t lose track as you go.

Using your black paint marker, carefully fill in the marked squares to create the checkerboard pattern. Take your time and be mindful of where the wet paint is on the pumpkin so you don’t accidentally smudge your work.

Marked X's to designate squares to be painted on a checkered pumpkin.

Step 5: Touch Up and Add Details

Once the black squares are dry, go back with a little white acrylic paint to sharpen the edges and clean up any slips.

If you’d like a softer look, you can lightly brush over the black squares with a touch of white paint to give them a more faded, vintage feel.

For a finishing touch, paint the pumpkin stem with gold paint—it adds just the right amount of sparkle and polish to your pumpkin makeover.

And true to the MacKenzie-Childs style, I added some faint gold streaks on random squares on the pumpkin.

Painting a pumpkin stem with gold paint.

Adding faint gold brush marks to a checkered pumpkin DIY.

Admire Your Pumpkin Makeover!

And that’s it—you did a great job!

A DIY checkered pumpkin nestled into an arrangement of other pumpkins.

You’ve turned a plain pumpkin into a buffalo check pumpkin that brings whimsy, charm, and style to your fall decor.

Whether displayed on your porch, nestled into a centerpiece, or standing proud on your mantel, this DIY project is sure to become one of your favorite fall pumpkin crafts!

Cheers!

A Little About Me

Hi! I’m missy. So happy to meet you!

“Decorate with Joy! Live with Happiness”

I truly believe that your home should be a reflection of your personality, a space where you feel free to express yourself and create a sanctuary that feels uniquely yours.

I love creating mood boards, hunting down unique home décor treasures, tackling easy DIY projects, and gathering with family and friends. Homes are meant to be enjoyed, filled with laughter, and shared with the people you love!