12 Stunning Fall Decor Items You Can DIY With Dollar Tree Pool Noodles

Pool noodles aren't just for summer fun; those brightly colored foam tubes at Dollar Tree are secretly one of the most versatile crafting supplies you can grab, especially when fall decorating season rolls around. For just a few bucks and a little imagination, you can transform these simple tubes into stunning decor. The best part, though, is that working with pool noodles doesn't require crafting skills or a garage full of tools, but the results will make you look like some kind of DIY genius with their finger on the pulse of the most amazing fall home decor trends around.  

Whether you're looking to create a lush mantle display, a cozy front porch wreath, or a jaw-droppingly gorgeous table centerpiece, we've found 12 DIY projects that use pool noodles as the perfect base for bringing your fall vision to life. From pumpkins wrapped in yarn to garlands bursting with faux foliage, these projects prove that budget-friendly doesn't mean boring. So, grab a few pool noodles, raid the floral aisle, and get ready to craft your way into the coziest autumn yet.

Let's face it, store-bought Halloween decor costs a pretty penny. So bust out the black spray paint and pool noodles to create your own budget-friendly Halloween-themed spooky archway entrance. Make sure to secure it into place with weights, stakes, or PVC pipes, as pool noodles can catch the wind easier than you think. Once you've got your archway in place, try incorporating elements like spiderwebs, skulls, or Halloween-themed LED lights to really make it stand out. 

This fall branch display transforms a plain doorway into a stunning focal point that looks like real tree branches. What makes this so great is how convincing it looks compared to expensive craft store alternatives. With Dollar Tree pool noodles at a buck or two, you can get that same dramatic effect for a fraction of the price. While the fake fall leaves definitely add to the realism, we think the tapered ends of the noodles are what give it the "Wait, this is made with what?!" double-take.

This LED candle centerpiece creates a cool glowing focal point for your fall table without the fire hazard. Pool noodles are cut to varying heights and spray-painted in fall colors like burnt orange, bronze, or cream and get topped with battery-operated tea lights. While the original tutorial uses a skull base for Halloween, you can easily make this pool noodle hack harvest-appropriate with a gold plate or wood slice. Make sure to drip hot glue over the "candle" tops to create that dripping wax effect that adds to the realism. 

This gorgeous and affordable fall centerpiece is surprisingly easy and looks straight out of a fall magazine spread. This works by bending a pool noodle into a circle as the base and filling in the middle with a tiered candlestick holder, foliage, greenery, berries, and faux pumpkins. You can customize it by swapping in different colored pumpkins, adding seasonal florals, or even working in eucalyptus for a more modern farmhouse vibe. Plus, it's lightweight enough to move around easily whenever you want to switch up your decor.

This bookshelf garland transforms basic shelves into a cozy, professionally styled fall display. The secret is to cut the pool noodle lengthwise and pop it over the front of a shelf, sort of like a bumper, then add fake foliage and flowers. What makes this genius is that the pool noodle keeps everything in place without sliding around or creating gaps between decorations. You get that lush, layered look without any drooping stems or sparse patches that happen with regular garlands draped over shelves.

This rustic pool noodle wreath has that expensive farmhouse boutique look without the boutique price tag. A pool noodle bent into a circle and wrapped tightly with twine creates the perfect neutral base for adding fall florals, berries, mini pumpkins, or even preserved wheat stems. What makes this so great is the texture. The twine wrap gives you that natural, organic feel that pairs beautifully with both modern farmhouse and traditional fall decor styles. Store-bought wreaths with similar texture and sizing can get pricey, while this will maybe run $10.

This giant pumpkin makes a seriously impressive statement piece for your porch or entryway and looks way more complicated than it actually is. Multiple pool noodles are cut and then arranged vertically around a central pole or tomato cage and spray-painted orange to create those classic pumpkin ridges. What makes this so great is the sheer size and impact; it's the kind of oversized fall decor that instantly catches everyone's eye and makes your home feel festive. Plus, it's lightweight and easy to move around.

This mantle garland brings that cozy autumn vibe without the hassle of garlands that constantly slide around or sag in the middle. It works by using a pool noodle that's cut lengthwise, then wide enough to fit the length of a mantle. This becomes the base for layering faux fall leaves, berries, pine cones, and florals until you've got that full, lush look. It's also reusable since you can easily swap out elements to refresh the look without needing to start from scratch.

This DIY fireplace log display solves the problem of empty, unused fireplaces that just collect dust and look awkward during fall and winter. What makes this so charming is how cozy it makes a non-working fireplace feel, and while this DIYer used a more wintery vibe, you can certainly swap the gingham and pinecones for orange velvet ribbon and fall-colored leaves. Add some flickering LED lights behind the logs to mimic flames, and suddenly you've got that warm, inviting ambiance without any actual fire.

This fake moss framed wall creates a trendy, textured focal point that looks real. Pool noodles are fit snugly inside a picture frame to create the base, then covered with faux moss and decorative elements. While the original uses succulents for a year-round look, swap them out for orange-colored plants, fall leaves, mini pumpkins, or even preserved wheat stems to make it seasonal. It's also incredibly lightweight compared to real moss walls, so you can hang it without worrying about heavy-duty mounting hardware or wall damage.

Who says fall decor needs to be all leaves and pumpkins? This garland brings a fresh take on traditional fall decor by framing your entire doorway with fall-colored artificial flowers that are secured onto pool noodle frames with hot glue. It works beautifully on covered porches where it's protected from weather, and you can easily adjust the fullness by adding more or fewer florals depending on your style.

This fall harvest topper brings all that cozy autumn warmth to your entryway or window without any drilling or permanent hardware. This works by slipping a pool noodle over a tension rod, then covering it with fall florals, LED light strands, and leaves to create a lush display. While this DIYer used it to decorate the top of a doorway, we think this pool noodle entryway decor project would be just as awesome in window wells. Plus, it's completely renter-friendly and removes in seconds without leaving any marks or holes.