Easy Fall Decor Idea: Painted Mason Jars + Wild Flowers

Today I’m sharing a super budget-friendly and easy fall decor idea: painted mason jars and wild flowers!  These painted mason jars with wild flowers are a cute and festive table centerpiece, or you can use this idea for easy fall mantel decor too.

Making My Peace with Fall:

The weather has gotten so cool, so fast, but I had a lot of fun walking along my road picking the wild flowers.  If you know me, you know that I LIVE for summer and loathe winter, so I struggle to get excited about fall – the bringer of winter.  But lately I’ve been trying to embrace all of the seasons.  No sense in fighting it, so last year we went for a beautiful fall drive to photograph the leaves along the lake shore, and then on another afternoon we went to a pumpkin patch in search of blue pumpkins (no such luck).  This year I tried growing my own but I started the seeds in my DIY cold frames and that gave me something to look forward to in the fall.  Even though I’m learning to embrace fall, I’d rather not spend a lot of money on fall decor, so I put together this easy fall decor idea with $0!  I had been saving a lot of glass jars, plus the spray paint left over from other projects – and the flowers – were free!  Not bad, for some really cheery and easy fall decor.

Supplies for Painted Mason Jar Centerpiece:

• Empty glass jars
• Goo Gone (to remove labels, if necessary)
• Spray paint (I used Rust-Oleum Sea Mist, Copper, and Carbon Mist)
• Scrap cardboard
• Wild or dried flowers

DIY Spray Painted Mason Jars:

Wash and dry the jars if you’re using old food jars.  My municipality doesn’t recycle glass at our landfill, for some bizarre reason, so people always discard their glass jars in our good neighbor shed.  I usually grab them, but I have also have saved every jar that’s entered this house.  I finally washed and dried some of them (I first used Goo Gone to remove any really sticky spots).  After they dried, it was time to paint them!

How Do You Permanently Paint Glass Jars?

To make sure the paint on these glass jars was really durable, after cleaning them thoroughly and letting them dry, I applied thin coats of spray paint.  Most spray paints will indicate what materials they’re suitable for, so choose a paint that’s intended for glass applications.  I flipped the jars upside down and arranged them in groups on sheets of cardboard.  I used three spray paint colors left over from previous projects, and it was an excellent way to use up the dregs of these spray paint cans.

My tip: flip the jars over again after the bottoms have dried and spray the tops – I only sprayed from the bottom and that application left some sheer spots on top.  I liked how it looked a little like ombre, but for an opaque look don’t forget to flip and spray the jars again from the top side.

What Kind of Paint Do You Use on Glass Jars?

I think spray paint is the best paint to use for a nice, even finish – and Krylon and Rust-Oleum both make spray paint that is designed to stick to glass.  However, you can also hand paint the jars with a brush.  For another project, I used chalk paint and brushed it on to create a spring centerpiece with painted mason jars.  The chalk paint worked perfectly – but it just wasn’t as smooth of a finish as spray paint.

Choosing Wildflowers for a Fall Centerpiece

While I waited for my spray painted mason jars to dry, I went for a little walk with hubby and the puppers.  There aren’t many flowers still in bloom here, but the golden rods looked super gorgeous.  I also picked some bulrushes, which always remind me of corn dogs, lol.  And then I found what I think are lupin pods?  They are dried and look really sculptural to me!  So if you’re rooting around for your own wild flower arrangement, don’t be afraid to pick anything that catches your eye – even if it’s a dried pod or plant.

The finishing touch is a thrifted pink table cloth – pink is not normally traditional fall decor, but I loved the muted shade with my color palette of mint, copper, ochre, pale purple, and black.

I’m so pleased with this free and easy fall decor idea: painted mason jars are super cute with wild flowers!  I’m getting into the fall spirit, even just a tiny bit, and I love seeing these pretty fall colors paired with a bit of mint and soft pink.  Click this link to see all of my past fall home decor and craft ideas.

If you’re a fall fan – or maybe need a little inspiration or an easy fall decor idea  – you’re in luck!  I’m joining some fabulous bloggers who are also sharing their fall decor ideas with you!  You’ll find a lot of inspiration below, so please check out their beautiful fall projects too.

DIY Fall Acrylic Abstract Landscape Painting at The Happy Housie

Five Fun Fall Arrangements at Finding Silver Pennies

How to Make a Dried Floral Wreath at the Tattered Pew

DIY Painted Pumpkins that Look Like Cement at Modern Glam

How to Make a Doormat with a Cricut at The DIY Mommy

DIY Fall Sign at Clean & Scentsible

Scrap Wood Fall Pumpkins at Tatertots and Jello

Macrame Garland at Life is a Party

DIY Abstract Art Our Best Tips at The Handmade Home

Modern Fall Lunaria Wreath at This is Simplicite

Painted Mason Jars at Dans le Lakehouse

Fall Macrame Wreath at Place of My Taste

Easy DIY Fall Shelf Decor at Cherished Bliss

DIY Glitter Pumpkins at Lolly Jane

DIY Rustic Fall Flower Arrangement at Pretty Life in the Suburbs

How to Make a Handmade Clay Bead Garland at My Sweet Savannah

DIY Rustic Wood Centerpiece Box at She Gave it a Go

How to Make a Fall Wall Hanging at Cassie Bustamante

Elegant Fall Flower Arrangement at Rambling Renovators

Blush Fall Hoop Wreath Tutorial at Chrissy Marie Blog

DIY Blue and White Chinoiserie Pumpkins at Jennifer Maune

Five Fun Fall Arrangements at Finding Silver