10 Fun Ideas for Decorating With Pumpkins, No Carving Required
No need to get too messy to bring these fall-themed decorating ideas to life
There are plenty of reasons to get creative with pumpkins without pulling out the carving knives. For starters, you won’t have to deal with messy pumpkin pulp, and you can enjoy a pumpkin — or any other hard-skin squash — that’s kept intact for much longer. Check out these 10 ideas for decorating with whole pumpkins for displays that can be enjoyed from now until past Thanksgiving.
2. Drizzle with black. Highlight the natural ridges of pumpkins by dripping black paint down the sides for a creepy, cool design almost like spider’s legs or dripping blood. Starting with white pumpkins, rather than orange ones, draws attention to the pumpkin’s form and looks more contemporary than the classic black-and-orange combo for Halloween.
3. Gild in gold. Elevate simple orange pumpkins to sophisticated fall decor with a brush of gold, silver or bronze paint. If you’re using spray paint, lay down newspaper, group the pumpkins and put a few fall leaves between them. While you’re spraying, the leaves will catch overspray for a subtle gold or bronze dusting. The leaves can then be used in other decorations.
4. Add a spooky splatter. If you love the updated style of black- and white-painted pumpkins, try going a step further and adding an artistic splatter. Start by covering the pumpkin stems with masking tape, before painting them either black or white. Once the paint dries, flick a brush dipped in the opposite paint color to give a splatter to each one.
Get a supply list and directions for this project
Get a supply list and directions for this project
5. Put together a pumpkin basket. Consider this cheerful harvest basket for an entryway decoration from now until Thanksgiving. Start with a large basket you may already have. Then, instead of shelling out for enough pumpkins and gourds to fill the whole thing, line the majority of the basket with balled-up newspaper, reserving pumpkins and gourds for the top. Nestle them in, and cover any newspaper between them with decorative moss.
Browse baskets
Browse baskets
6. Make a family portrait. If you have a bit of chalkboard paint left over from another project, or you decide to make your own, paint ovals on the front of pumpkins. You can draw faces of your family, roommates or favorite animals with chalk, or use the ovals to spell out “Boo!” or any other message. Tired of your chalk creation? Use a damp cloth to wipe it off and start fresh. A bonus: Only painting part of a pumpkin, rather than covering the whole thing, helps it last even longer.
See how to re-create this look
See how to re-create this look
7. Go monochromatic. White pumpkins, whether painted or natural, have been popular in decorations for the past few years. They can be particularly useful for interior styling when classic bright orange pumpkins don’t jibe with your home’s color palette.
Use only white pumpkins or opt for a mix of those painted white, light blue and pale, buttery yellow to decorate mantels or the kitchen table. The soft hues will work well combined with accessories you may already have, such as pewter pitchers, gold candlesticks, old glass bottles or acorns, leaves and lichen from the backyard.
Use only white pumpkins or opt for a mix of those painted white, light blue and pale, buttery yellow to decorate mantels or the kitchen table. The soft hues will work well combined with accessories you may already have, such as pewter pitchers, gold candlesticks, old glass bottles or acorns, leaves and lichen from the backyard.
8. Nail the placement. Simple arrangements of pumpkins can really shine if you get them in the perfect spot. Here are two tricks for getting the placement just right. First, look for nook-like places like corners formed by garden walls, porch stairs or a curve in a walkway, where a pumpkin or two will look nestled.
Second, choose the pumpkin color (white, pale yellow, orange or deep orange-red) based on the backdrop. For example, the cool blue-gray gate above works as a perfect complement for pumpkins in a medium orange, making them stand out from the street. Other pairings to try: white or pale yellow pumpkins against a dark backdrop, or deep red-orange against wood.
Second, choose the pumpkin color (white, pale yellow, orange or deep orange-red) based on the backdrop. For example, the cool blue-gray gate above works as a perfect complement for pumpkins in a medium orange, making them stand out from the street. Other pairings to try: white or pale yellow pumpkins against a dark backdrop, or deep red-orange against wood.
9. Stack them up. Fairy tale-style pumpkins, with short, squat shapes, work well in pumpkin towers. Stack them in order of size or squeeze an extra-wide pumpkin in the center for a playful, off-balanced look. Place pumpkin stacks on both sides of the front door or at the start of a path for a welcoming entryway.
10. Make a pumpkin snowman or two. Guaranteed to bring a smile, these pumpkin snowmen are an unexpected twist on stacked pumpkins. To re-create the look, select pumpkins in stair-stepping sizes (two or three pumpkins per snowman), and give them a coat of white paint if they’re not naturally a pale color.
For taller stacks, you can attach adhesive Velcro between the pumpkins to help them stay balanced. Paint on the eyes, nose and any other details of your choosing, like buttons down the “chest” or a pumpkin grin.
For taller stacks, you can attach adhesive Velcro between the pumpkins to help them stay balanced. Paint on the eyes, nose and any other details of your choosing, like buttons down the “chest” or a pumpkin grin.
Houzz readers: Show us how you’re decorating with pumpkins sans carving in the Comments below.
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