Decorating pumpkins and decorating with pumpkins are essential parts of fall, but carving jack-o’-lanterns is just one option. We collected some of the best ideas for fall decorating with pumpkins, squash, and gourds.
Plenty of pumpkins are delicious, but even the most inedible winter squashes still make great seasonal decor. Whether you carve them up or leave them whole, there are lots of ways to make pumpkins pop—and make your space super festive, no matter what your style.
Pumpkin Centerpieces & The Natural Order
Since pumpkins (and squash, and gourds) come in so many fascinating shapes and shades, you don’t even need to do much to them if you don’t want to—great for both back-to-nature fans and lazy busy people.
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The pickings of our pumpkin patch expedition, made into a simple and natural centrepiece. A person at the farm told us that if we kept them in a cool place and with no direct sunlight, we could keep them until Halloween no problem. ♥️ I’m not sure my dining room table is exactly the cool place she had in mind, but hey, they’re too pretty to stash them away right? 🤷♀️
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They make quite an impact if you simply jumble various eye-catching specimens together, whether on a flat surface like a bookcase, sideboard, or down the center of your table. Or, pile them in whatever random containers you have around your house, from wicker baskets and metal buckets to bell jars and clear glass trifle dishes.
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#PumpkinGoals A hashtag I never in my life thought I would use lol Who else has this color scheme in their fall decor?
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Naturally, they look good interspersed with other fall items, like leaves, acorns, gnarled branches, and the like, but try ornamental kale and cabbage for a frilly yet earthy change of pace—or fresh bay leaves, eucalyptus, or even sage (which will also scent your space)—especially with pale blue-green and white pumpkins.
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Fall is slowly creeping into our home. This centerpiece was unbelievably cost effective. I already had the dough bowl from @antiquefarmhouse and I grabbed 7 mini white pumpkins from @traderjoes for 69 cents each and a bunch of live eucalyptus for $3. It’s elegant, simple, and the perfect touch of fall! . . #fall #falldecor #pumpkins #minipumpkins #centerpiece #fallcenterpiece #doughbowl #farmhouse #farmhousestyle #cottage #cottagestyle #interiordesign #interiorxesigner #lmbpresets
A post shared by Malia || Graced Designs (@graceddesigns) on Oct 3, 2019 at 8:53am PDT
It works equally well for Halloween or Thanksgiving, depending on the linens and tableware you add (and possibly a few plastic spiders in the mix for the former occasion).
Staggered Pumpkins for Your Stairs
A bunch of pumpkins staggered along the stairs works all fall too, whether you carve them, paint them, or leave them au naturel (or combine several styles)—and it looks just as good inside as out.
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Wishing everyone a happy and safe Halloween today! (Image: @sophia.gb)
A post shared by One Kings Lane (@onekingslane) on Oct 31, 2018 at 7:30am PDT
If carving, use LED lights for your indoor jack-o’-lanterns, for atmospheric mood lighting that’s safer than candles.
Homemory Flickering LED Tea Lights, 12 for $9.42 on Amazon A realistic candle effect for your jack-o'-lantern without any actual flames. Buy Now
Related Reading: All the Tools You Need to Carve a Pumpkin Like a Pro
Architectural Pumpkin Stacks
If you like things a bit more structured, try stacking pumpkins of various sizes; in either case, you can mix and match colors, or keep it monochrome if you prefer.
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THROWBACK THURSDAY! Happy almost weekend everyone! This is one of my photos from last year! I have not been able to find pumpkins like this this year yet. I got these at Walmart last year but this year I have only found regular orange and white ones. This weekend we are going to Silver Dollar City’s Pumpkin Nights in Branson, Missouri! Hopefully I will be able to bring home some pumpkins like this! I plan on getting gorgeous photos of my grand babies with lots of pumpkins so be waiting! What are your plans this first October weekend?
A post shared by Julie|Farmhouse|Colonial (@midwestfarmhousedesigns) on Oct 3, 2019 at 5:44am PDT
Stand-alone stacks look great—again, inside or out—but you can also build them in decorative urns or pots. (As with any other piece of pumpkin decor, you can mix and match hues, pick all one color, or even paint these before you pile them up.)
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How much do you LOVE a colorful pumpkin stack? With lush wire vine lining the base, it’s the PERFECT symbol of fall. #pumpkinstack #fall #fallporchdecor
A post shared by Perfect Pots In the Village (@perfectpotsinthevillage) on Oct 2, 2019 at 1:30pm PDT
Mini stacks can go on mantels, and mid-size stacks are cute on cake plates as part of a centerpiece.
Way to Celebrate Green and White Pumpkin Stack, $14.84 at Walmart If you like the look but don't want to do the work, you can buy them already stacked (and reusable). Buy Now Perfect Pumpkin Vases
Speaking of centerpieces, a pumpkin vase is a beautiful alternative to plain old glass (although it’s ideal if you can fit a glass one inside the squash itself). You can paint the pumpkin first if you prefer, or even carve it into a jack-o’-lantern vase.
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I only went and found one in Morrison’s didn’t I 🤩 what do you reckon? I’m really chuffed with it- I mean I’m not sure it’ll last long but still 🤷♀️ I’ll wish you all a Happy Halloween now as we’re at my sister in laws pub in our village for a little Halloween party tomorrow eve and I’m considering taking her this for hosting 🤔 I knew I should have got 2! have a good one all 🧙♀️🦇 #pumpkinvase #happyhalloween #crownprince #crownprincepumpkin #autumnvibes #whitepumpkin
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Mud Pie White Pumpkin Terracotta Vase, $25.95 on Amazon If you want one that'll last, you can reuse this pumpkin vase every year. Buy Now
Another option is to drill holes into the otherwise intact pumpkin and stud the whole surface with a flower sash, but it won’t last as long (unless, of course, you go faux).
Succulent Pumpkin Planters
If you’re more into desert flora, make a succulent pumpkin planter.
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Succulents + pumpkins = the perfect fall decoration! #regram: @justbeingcon
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These sculptural forms look fabulous in bright orange pumpkins as well as in gray-green, buff, or even white pumpkins, with these quieter shades being especially well suited to more modern surroundings.
Faux Pumpkin Trimmed with Living Succulents, $65+ on Etsy This gorgeous planter by Succulent Artworks on Etsy comes in three different color and size combos. Buy Now
Try grouping them with less common autumnal items, like bleached antlers instead of multicolored leaves, to keep the palette pale. You can nest individual succulents into smaller pumpkins too.
Mini White Succulent Pumpkin, $19.99 each on Etsy Queen of Succulents is selling minis—and you can replant the succulents in a pot once the pumpkin starts to fade. Buy Now Painted Pumpkins: Disguises, Metallics & More
No matter how you’re using your pumpkins, if you want to paint them, there are almost infinite ways to do it—you can go with simple solid colors, whether you like more muted colors or screamingly vibrant shades (maybe with glittery gold stems?), or even full-on metallic.
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Alright, now that Halloween is over, it seems it’s full speed ahead until New Years Lord help us. Next up… a personal favorite, Thanksgiving! Today I gathered up all the tablescapes I’ve created over the years and put them into one post ✨✨ from metallic + chic {which earned itself a number one spot in many publications back in 2016 about died when I saw that. Crazy.} to a relaxed + fun friendsgiving and even one that made its television debut -my first time on national tv . I’m sharing it all over on www.livingwithlandyn.com Who’s hosting this years and needs inspo? . #thanksgiving #thanksgivingtablescape #tabledecor #holiday #tablescapes #ideas #diy #livingwithlandyn #makingprettychoices #turkeyday #allthethings
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Pink and Gold Metal Pumpkin, $9.99 at Target A mod look that lasts long past Halloween and requires no work on your part. Buy Now
If you want to get a bit more elaborate, you can make them look like candy corn (even better if you pick an oblong pumpkin that tapers at the top), sprinkled doughnuts, buffalo plaid, or tie dye. With the addition of a few simple accessories, you can even make a unicorn pumpkin.
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I’m so pleased that unicorn pumpkins are a thing! 🦄 We carved a normal one too, but they always go all yucky inside! Another reason Unicorn pumpkins are life!!!!
A post shared by Minkleberry Kiss (@minkleberry_kiss) on Oct 26, 2017 at 2:32am PDT
And if you’re wary of making a mess, simply dress up your squash with washi tape.
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This pumpkin everything thing… I DIG IT. These copper striped ones I did a while back are still one of my favs! Link in bio for more on that DIY ✨
A post shared by Amy Kim | HOM Blog (@homeyohmy) on Sep 25, 2016 at 11:36am PDT
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You can also use pumpkins to spell it out—in marquee lights if you like a project (but you can also just cut the letters out, or etch them with a paring knife or linoleum cutter, before popping candles inside).
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A fall favorite from a few years back…perfect for Thanksgiving, too! Make your own via my easy tutorial on #KarasPartyIdeas.com via the link in my bio!
A post shared by Kara's Party Ideas (@karaspartyideas) on Nov 3, 2018 at 10:20pm PDT
Or paint on simple letter stencils for longer-lasting words, or glitter monograms if you’re more glam. Express a simple greeting like “Welcome” or “Happy Fall” (or “BOO!”), and arrange them on your porch or on your table.
Monogrammed Faux Pumpkin, $20+ on Etsy Oh Livvy Creations will paint you a (faux) pumpkin with a personalized monogram you can use every year. Buy Now
If you’re hosting a Halloween party, you can go with numbers to make your house easier to find, a neat—and useful—party trick for sure. If you don’t care to carve them out or stencil them on, you can nail actual metal numbers into pumpkins, but if you use real produce (as opposed to foam), wait until just a few days before the shindig so they hold up.
Pretty Pumpkin Place Card Holders View this post on Instagram
I'm so excited to share how to make this glittery pumpkin place card on @bestfriendsforfrosting today! Head to their site to find out how to recreate these for your #fall tablescape! #diy #bfff #pumpkins #spraypaintandchardonnay
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On a smaller scale, mini pumpkins make great place card holders. Dipping the bottom half in glitter is totally optional (but super cute). If your pumpkins don’t have stems, you can insert simple paper clips or fancier place card holder picks into the pumpkin itself. You could also use black chalkboard paint to completely cover them, then write each name (and whatever else you want) right on the gourd with white chalk markers.
Kate Aspen Gold Pumpkin Place Card Holders, 6 for $9.78 on Amazon Far tinier than the real thing, but also reusable! Buy Now
Related Reading: How to Host a Fall Dinner Party in Style
Petite Pumpkin Candle Holders View this post on Instagram
We've been in Thanksgiving centerpiece/decor brainstorming mode multiple times day (pretty much since the day after Halloween). ❤️ DIY pumpkin candle holders will be part of the action. *link in bio. #artistsofeveryday #seasidefl #pumpkincandleholder #thanksgivingcenterpiece
A post shared by The Art of Simple (@theartofsimple) on Nov 10, 2017 at 6:10am PST
If you like to use candles for flickering ambiance, you can make pumpkin candle holders too, for tapers or votives—or jumbo candles if you pick a bigger pumpkin. Try grouping various sizes together for extra interest, and/or placing them at different heights. Other gourds work just as well.
Fun Express Gold Glitter Pumpkin Votive Holders, 3 for $18.49 on Amazon Or you can go for the gold with these reusable faux pumpkin candle holders. Buy Now Party-Ready Pumpkin Punch Bowls
When it comes to putting things inside pumpkins, you can further combine function and fashion by making an easy pumpkin ice bucket to hold your beer, wine, and/or Champagne!
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It doesn’t have to be Halloween to get chills from a pumpkin. This homemade pumpkin wine cooler filled with our Sutter Home Tetra Pak® will do the trick. Cheers to fall with friends.
A post shared by Sutter Home (@sutterhomewines) on Nov 1, 2018 at 11:16am PDT
If you’ve got a lot of bottles, you’ll want a really big pumpkin—and if you’re simply chilling drinks, it’s not essential to have an inner bowl, so don’t worry if you don’t have one big enough to match your monster squash (the pumpkin might get waterlogged and even heavier than before, but you can deal with that later).
Pine and Paint Resin Pumpkin Drink Holder, $37.97 on Amazon The perfect way to chill your Halloween party drinks. Buy Now
Giant gourds can be turned into impressive pumpkin punch bowls too—especially if you add some dry ice in between the inner bowl and the squash shell (just don’t get any in your actual drink).
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Spooky Halloween Pumpkin Punch. Recipe today on YUM!!
A post shared by Karen Chan (@honestlyyum) on Oct 23, 2013 at 7:38am PDT
Large pumpkin bowls are great for serving soups, stews, and other dishes too—if you roast them, you can eat the flesh inside along with the filling, although they can be prone to splitting and collapsing when cooked, especially if you try to transfer them from a baking sheet to a serving platter, so use caution and your best judgment.
Tiny pumpkins can be hollowed out for individual bowls and cups, but can also be a little awkward to use (and annoying to make if you need a lot of them).
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Curried Pumpkin Soup with Maple Ginger Caramelized Onions #tbt ~ http://www.theendlessmeal.com/curried-pumpkin-soup/
A post shared by Easy Recipes ⭐ Kristen Stevens (@theendlessmeal) on Nov 10, 2015 at 8:29pm PST
Then there’s always the option to make a mini pumpkin wreath to hang on your door, and to put pumpkins in your window boxes if you have them, but if you want to branch out, there are clearly lots of ways to do it.
And don’t forget to buy a few extra winter squashes while you’re stocking up, because once you’ve worked up an appetite with all this decorating, you can eat some pumpkins too.
Check out all the best of pumpkins on Chowhound. #Guides #FoodNews
