If you’ve been on Pinterest or TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen the viral DIY wine glass pool noodle centerpiece. And while they look amazing, I’ll be honest—putting your wine glasses at risk for the sake of décor is not my idea of a good time.
So today, I’m showing you a better, safer, and just as beautiful method for making your own DIY pool noodle centerpiece—no glassware, no mess, and everything from the Dollar Tree.
Whether you’re hosting a dinner party, styling your dining table for the season, or planning a wedding on a budget, this pool noodle hack is a total win. I made mine as a fall tablescape with warm terracotta tones and pampas grass, but you can easily swap the colors and flowers for any season or style.
Why This Version Beats the Wine Glass Method
Sure, the wine glass version is trendy, but here’s the thing:
- It’s safer. No breakable glass balancing under your floral display.
- It’s sturdier. Using metal taper candle holders gives your base more stability.
- It’s affordable. All supplies are from Dollar Tree.
How to Make a Pool Noodle Centerpiece Without Wine Glasses
DIY Pool Noodle Centerpiece Supplies
You can grab everything below at your local Dollar Tree:
- 1 pool noodle
- 2 metal taper candle holders
- 2 taper candles
- Faux flowers of your choice
- Wire cutters
- Box cutter or sharp knife
DIY Pool Noodle Centerpiece Instructions
Follow my step-by-step instructions below, or check out my video tutorial below!
Step 1: Cut the Pool Noodle
Decide how long you want your centerpiece to be. Mine is about a foot long, but the flowers and greenery make it look much longer once arranged.
Step 2: Attach the Candle Holders
Slide each end of the pool noodle through the metal circles of your two taper candle holders. This gives you a sturdy, elevated base to build from.
Step 3: Trim Your Flowers
Using wire cutters, cut your faux flowers down to 2–3 inch stems. This makes them easier to insert and arrange.
Step 4: Add Flowers to the Pool Noodle
Insert your stems directly into the foam. There’s no exact science—just alternate colors, textures, and heights until it looks balanced.
Step 5: Insert the Taper Candles
Place your taper candles into the holders on top for that polished, finished look.
That’s it—you just made a beautiful, safe, and super affordable centerpiece.
Styling Ideas
- Seasonal Switch-Up: Swap out flowers for each season—think pastels in spring, bright blooms in summer, evergreens for winter. You can see even with a slight adjustment from purple and yellow flowers to greenery and pampas grasses, the final look changes quite a bit, making it extremely versatile to use throughout the seasons.
- Elegant & Chic: Place on a sheer table runner, add gold or glass taper candle holders.
- Rustic & Cozy: Layer over a DIY doily table runner (I have a tutorial for that here).
- Eco-friendly: Add upcycled candle holders to your tablescape for cozy vibes without the added expense (check out my wine bottle candles or Oui Jar votive tutorials!)
Where to Use It
- Wedding sweetheart or head table centerpiece
- Bridal or baby shower welcome table
- Dining room table for holiday dinners
- Statement piece for buffet or dessert tables
💌 Planning a special celebration and worried you’ll miss an important detail? Grab my free printable party planning checklist and get every task, timeline, and detail organized.