12 Creative Ways to Decorate With Pumpkins

Carving pumpkins is one of our favorite fall activities, but once the carving is over, you’re left with a mess! The smell of rotting pumpkins still lingers in our dumpster from last year! How can you embrace your love of pumpkins without the overwhelming mess? There’s lots of ways! We have 12 creative ways you can decorate with pumpkins for the entire fall season! Skip the mess this year, and try something new!

#1 Pumpkin Picture Frame

Turn your pumpkins into an easel for some festive, fall artwork. 

• Start by finding artwork that fits your style. We’ve found that vintage paint by numbers often have beautiful fall scenes. 
• Once you’ve found some pictures that suit your taste, scale them to fit on your pumpkin. Then, print them out and cut them into half inch strips. 
• Using Mod Podge, glue the strips onto the center of your pumpkin, lining them up as best as you can. They won’t be perfect, but every imperfection just gives your pumpkin more character! 
• Finally, frame the edges of your picture with some small twigs from the yard! Attach them with hot glue. 
• Tada! You have your very own pumpkin picture frame – a new way to decorate with pumpkins!

#2 Pumpkins To Match Your Color Scheme

If you want to decorate with pumpkins without bringing in their usual orange color, give your pumpkins a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. The possibilities are really endless here. If you’re going for a vintage look, try painting your pumpkins with chalk paint! Get tips on making chalky paint pumpkins here.

#3 Pumpkin Ice Bucket

Any fall party hosts out there? Keep your drinks cold with a pumpkin ice bucket! Just cut the top off your pumpkin, carve out the center really well, and fill your pumpkin with ice. Drinks will stay cold and your guests will enjoy the special touch of fall. 

#4 Fill Empty Space With Pumpkins

Find the spots in your home that can be easily redesigned every season. Hutches, cabinets, shelves, and entryways are great places to show off your love of fall. One trip to the pumpkin patch might not be enough!

#5 Pumpkin Porch Message

Decorate each pumpkin with a large letter that will spell out a word or message when you line them up in a row. Make your message shine all night long with marquee lights, flameless candles, string lights, or twinkle lights.

#6 Pumpkin Vases

There’s no doubt that pumpkins look great paired with a vase of sunflowers, mums, astilbe, and asters. Hues of burnt orange, yellow, and deep red look beautiful next to a pumpkin. But what if you took your flower arrangement to the next level by sticking your flowers IN a pumpkin? Just cut the top off, carve out the inside, and you’ve got yourself a vase. Pumpkins make for a no-fuss, easy-to-care-for vase for live succulents, too!

#7 Pumpkin House Number

Select a large pumpkin for your front porch and decorate it with your house number. This will make it easier for party guests and trick-or-treaters to find you home!

#8 Pumpkin Table Accents

Small to medium size pumpkins look great on almost any table. Create a large centerpiece for your dining room table with pumpkins, gourds, acorns, and pinecones. Or go for a subtle touch of fall by scattering a few pumpkins here and there on your serving or coffee table.

#9 Pumpkin Candle Holders

Create a cozy atmosphere by nestling your scented or tea light candles into a delicately carved pumpkin. This look is perfect for fall weddings, parties, or just everyday home decor! 

#10 Pumpkin Porch Lights

Line your porch or walkway with pumpkins that are strung with lights. This is a quick, easy way to give your home a festive look while keeping your trick-or-treaters and guests safe after dark.

For more Halloween safety tips for homeowners, click here to check out another one of our blogs.

#11 Fireplace Pumpkins

This one’s for those of you that don’t use your fireplace all too often. Carve flames into your pumpkins and arrange them in and around your fireplace. Mix in some pretty candles, and you’ll have a creative and cozy fall scene!

#12 Bucket of Pumpkins

Inside or out, fill a vintage bucket or wheelbarrow with a collection of pumpkins. This is an easy way to decorate with pumpkins after a trip to the pumpkin patch!