We’re excited to share a DIY donut beach umbrella project, plus a peek at another donut DIY coming tomorrow. If you’ve painted umbrellas into fruit slices before, this takes the idea up a notch: a fun, oversized donut umbrella perfect for the beach. You can use this method on any umbrella — nylon works well, while cotton will feel more durable — and it’s a delightful, eye-catching accessory you’ll want for sunny days.
DIY Donut Beach Umbrella
Total Time: 5–6 hours (plus drying time)
Supplies
Beach umbrella (nylon or cotton)
Fabric paint in pink, tan and desired sprinkle colors
Large and medium paint brushes
Directions
1. Lay the umbrella on its side with the handle supported so the canopy is stable and won’t move while you paint.
2. Paint a tan ring roughly three inches wide about six inches from the umbrella’s center to form the donut edge.
3. Using pink paint, draw a wavy line around the canopy about 8–10 inches from the lower edge (adjust distance to suit your umbrella size) to mark the frosting boundary.
4. Fill in the area between the tan ring and the wavy line with pink paint. Apply thin, even coats and allow to dry between layers. Avoid heavy globs of paint to prevent cracking as it dries.
5. Paint the remaining outer edge tan to complete the donut base.
6. Finish by adding sprinkles in random colors across the pink frosting. Allow the umbrella to dry completely—preferably overnight—before folding or packing away.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Get ready for tomorrow’s coordinating donut DIY. In the meantime, consider pairing this umbrella with a donut float, a drink float, and a matching towel for a playful beach set-up.
p.s. Don’t forget your donut sunglasses for a complete look!