If you follow me on Instagram, you might have seen these DIY Halloween pumpkin lanterns 🎃 This latest Kmart hack Halloween project ticks all the right boxes — simple, affordable and stylish! Using Kmart’s budget-friendly plastic pumpkins, a couple of cans of spray paint, and some puck lights, you can create glowing lanterns that look luxe but cost next to nothing.
Whether you line them up along your footpath or style them in your entryway, they’ll instantly set the spooky season mood. Watch my video below to see how I transformed these pumpkins step-by-step or keep scrolling for all the materials and instructions.
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Related article: Our complete Halloween home styling guide
Materials you’ll need:
- Plastic Halloween pumpkins (I used the Kmart ones)
- Puck lights (battery-operated)
- Black spray paint
- Silver spray paint
- Small paint brush
Steps:
1. Spray paint the pumpkins black
Start by giving your plastic pumpkins an even coat of black spray paint. I did two light coats to make sure the colour was deep and even. This creates that luxe matte base that instantly takes the pumpkins from cheap plastic to chic and spooky.
2. Add silver accents
Once the black paint is completely dry, it’s time to bring out the details. Using your silver spray paint, lightly mist accents onto the pumpkin — I focused on the inner eyes and along the natural indents.
This gives your pumpkins more depth and dimension, and the metallic gleam catches the light when they’re illuminated. You can also use a small paint brush to add a little more definition or highlight certain areas for a more dramatic effect.
3. Add the lights and style
Pop a puck light inside each pumpkin, and voilà — instant lanterns! These look incredible lining your footpath to welcome trick-or-treaters or clustered by your front door for a more modern Halloween display.
If you’re entertaining, you could even style them inside by your entryway or on a console table for ambient lighting that brings the spooky vibes.
I love how these turned out — they’re the perfect balance of moody and minimal. This Kmart hack Halloween idea proves you don’t need to spend much (or go over the top) to make your home feel festive. Plus, since the pumpkins are plastic, you can reuse them year after year.
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