Sure to give your home the perfect autumnal vibe, these pumpkin decorating ideas are just the ticket to wow your friends and neighbours before, during and after Halloween. From painted gourds to an impressive carved ice bucket, get set to impress with these ingenious budget-friendly pumpkin décor designs.
Ditch dark and gloomy colours in favour of bright and vibrant shades. Create an uncharacteristically cheerful Halloween tablescape complete with pumpkin-shaped paper plates and whimsical napkins, along with a scattering of pumpkin chocolate balls. Finish with brightly coloured candles in gothic holders, an array of seasonal blooms, and adorable plush pumpkins in fuchsia and orange arranged in the centre.
These striking pumpkins, as spotted at The Alluring Home, have got us truly inspired. The intricate designs have taken inspiration from blue and white Chinese patterns and motifs, reminiscent of Ming vases and other traditional Eastern ceramics. Try making your own by using blue and white decoupage papers to cover real or faux pumpkins and gourds, or even hand paint your own Chinoiserie designs.
Who said pumpkin decorating had to involve a scary face? If you're looking for a project that's cool not creepy, then check out this Henri Matisse-inspired idea. Cut out abstract shapes from different coloured vinyl using a Cricut machine or freehand. Paint the pumpkin base white and allow it to dry, before sticking your shapes down randomly for an artsy feel. Follow this Hobbycraft tutorial.
Velvet pumpkins are a huge trend this autumn and will give your Halloween décor a luxurious look. They can be found in many homeware retailers this season in sumptuous autumnal colours, from burnt orange and gold to rich plum and forest green. Whether you pick them up readymade or craft your own, pile them high for maximal impact.
We love that food is the focus of most holidays, and Halloween is no different! A pumpkin-shaped grazing board is sure to go down a treat at any Halloween bash. Cover it with orange-coloured goodies, such as macarons, cupcakes, and jelly sweets. Liquorice is perfect for making the eyes, nose, and mouth, but you can fill your board with anything you like. Why not add a 'trick' element by mixing in some less-desirable edibles i.e. chilli nuts—just be sure to make your guests aware in case of any allergies.
How adorable is this sweet idea from Studio DIY? These doughnut pumpkins are super cute but oh so easy to create. Simply use acrylic paint to cover the bottom half of mini pumpkins in a dough colour and the top in a delicious icing shade. Once dry, hand paint hundreds and thousands in rainbow colours. Yum! Find the full tutorial here.
Nothing says country chic like tweed. Cut segments from an old tweed blanket or pre-loved jacket and stitch them together to make cute plush pumpkins. Tie with rustic twine to highlight the sections and finish with a hessian ribbon and twig for a stem. Make in a range of sizes and display on a mantelpiece or next to a wood-burning stove—not too close, though!—for a cosy autumnal arrangement.
This one is great to do with the kids! Transform empty jam jars into fun pumpkin-inspired lanterns using crepe paper. Use glue to cover the outside of the jar with strips of orange crepe paper, then add features cut from black paper. Finish by tying green ribbon around the top as a handle and pop in an LED tealight candle. Place in a window or on the doorstep to greet trick-or-treaters. Find the full tutorial at Hobbycraft.
Get an industrial look both indoors and outdoors with lightweight cement pumpkin decorations. Hypertufa pumpkins need just four main ingredients and only an hour to create, no carving required! Mix Perlite, peat moss and cement powder together and add water. Fill a plastic pumpkin-shaped container and wait for it to set. For a full tutorial visit The Home Depot.
Put your sewing skills to the test with an autumnal embroidery hoop featuring harvest favourites. Choose a neutral colourway that will suit any scheme and bring out your craftsmanship to display as embroidery wall art every fall. You can get the pattern here.
Jazz up your walls with removable pumpkin stickers just for the holiday season. These illustrated pumpkin faces will look cheeky yet charming on your walls arranged in amongst autumnal leaves. Each set has eight adorable pumpkins and matching leaves for you to display as you wish through autumn and remove when winter arrives.
Try your hand at whipping up adorable woolly pumpkins for a snug autumn scheme. Ideal for crochet novices, you'll need some coloured yarn, crochet hooks and thread to secure these plush pumpkins in place. Opt for orange, white and green for a traditional feel, or mix things up with bold neon shades for something unique.
Focus on a farmhouse pumpkin display using burlap, hessian or jute bags. Fill a plastic shopping bag as stuffing and wrap the course fabric around it to create a ball shape. Tie with bows and greenery and display with real pumpkins on your autumn porch or as a country-look centrepiece. Visit Home Depot for a full tutorial that shows you how to add definition with twine.
As Halloween hits, it's a hectic time to be a pumpkin, so why not cut your gourd some slack and treat it to a spa day? This fun look is easily achievable – simply knot a towel over the top of your pumpkin and outline a facemask in paint. For really run-down pumpkins, add cucumber slices to soothe those tired eyes. The best bit? It requires zero carving – bonus!
Paint a fabulous and fun pumpkin display with rich colours and fun effects. For an ombré effect using spray paint start with a light shade. Then, apply darker colours on top, gradually lightening the amount of paint applied as you go up. For the stripes and shapes stick vinyl templates or decorator's tape in your choice of designs on the gourd, then paint over and peel off once dry. Rust-Oleum has a full tutorial.
To transform your pumpkin into a succulent centrepiece, start by cutting off the very top of your pumpkin, then scoop out the insides and fill with succulent potting mix. Plant some carpet moss on top, pushing it into the pumpkin to give a firm base. Take your succulents and one at a time wiggle a hole into the moss and soil. Create height with extra moss and mix it up with different shapes and sizes for a unique design.
Paint a masterpiece on your pumpkin that illuminates after dark. Here's an ultra-safe and amusing alternative to traditional flame lit jack-o'-lanterns. The execution is super easy with impressive results for both real or faux pumpkins. Simply sketch your design onto the gourd with pencil and then go over the top with squeezy 'glow in the dark' paints. Color Made Happy has a tutorial that explains how to do this plus more paint-on techniques that glow!
Celebrate the seasonal festivities by turning your pumpkin into a handy ice bucket to keep your drinks cool. All you need is a pumpkin, a couple of bags of ice, a knife or pumpkin cutter and a scoop or spoon. Cut off the top of the pumpkin above the widest point, scoop out the insides (which you can use to make a yummy pumpkin pie or soup) and then fill it with your ice and drinks. Easy!
Take some time to learn a new skill with a perky paper project. This delightful pumpkin garland decoration will give you a seasonal sense of achievement in no time at all. The Gathering Beauty blog has the step-by-step tutorial on how to fold the cute little squash which are then threaded together with baker's twine.
Keep it classy by transforming regular orange pumpkins into sophisticated white works of art. You can get the look by either painting your pumpkins with a few coats of white matt craft paint or grabbing some faux ones to decorate instead. To up the luxe factor, try adding some gold leaf, gold drawing pins or painting the stalk with metallic paint. Check out the full tutorial here.
Jazz up your doorstep and add seasonal kerb appeal by lining the steps or approach of your home with an array of pumpkins. To create a vibrant, characterful display, mix it up with varying sizes and shades – the more the merrier!
Use a mix of pumpkins to create a relaxed, boho-inspired table setting. Start with a macramé or jute runner, add vases full of berry stems and group pumpkins in varying colours and sizes along the length of the table, with fresh foliage and fluffy white cotton branches intertwined. Complete the look with a tiered place setting and complete with ruffled hessian placemat, mini twig nest and a small white pumpkin on the top!
Transform your pumpkins into an eye-catching arrangement with these on-trend, two-tone and pastel designs. After cleaning, paint half your pumpkin with chalky finish furniture paint. Then spray paint the other half. For a touch of bling add some glitter paint to the top.
Get your home fall-ready by decorating your door with a characterful autumn wreath. Make your own by securing bunches of seasonal toned foliage onto a wreath frame. Glue a few mini pumpkins to the foliage and, for ultimate wreath-envy, throw in some faux berries and pine to really wow passers-by.
Pimp your pumpkins with a pretty pastel look. Give some pottery pumpkins a couple of coats of some pastel craft paint and paint the stem and decorative embellishments with gold for some added elegance. Try to opt for colours that coordinate well together or match your existing décor for an Insta-worthy aesthetic. If you are displaying your artwork on your porch don’t forget to add a couple of coats of varnish to any pumpkins to give them some weather resistance.
Adorning your home with cute mini pumpkins in an array of hues is a great way to add seasonal charm in an instant. Don’t be afraid to use misshapen pumpkins too, as this will only add to their character. Pop them in a basket or trug and use as a tabletop arrangement along with fairy lights and foliage.
Three-dimensional paper pumpkins have a longer shelf-life than the real thing and look unique as seasonal table decorations. These cute versions are made with stapled rings of paper strips and tied together with string. The central stalk is a real cinnamon stick for a touch of added fragrance and fun.
We're all familiar with the staple jack-o'-lanterns that light up our homes every Halloween, but how about replacing them for some pretty pumpkin candles for a cosy autumn atmosphere? Carve out a tealight-shaped hole in a smaller pumpkin, scoop out the contents and place a candle inside. Or, these LED pumpkin-shaped votives have the flickering effect of a real flame. Crafted from real wax they are ideal for Halloween parties and placing in the window as the nights draw in.
A personalised pumpkin will make a fun addition to a seasonal scheme for family members. You'll need: white paint, a hole punch, black card and glue for the polka dots and a permanent pen to write or stencil the name. Or, for a perfect placement; these vinyl stickers just need to be peeled off and placed onto your pumpkin.
Ever thought about using old fabrics to create a quirky pumpkin? This seasonal craft idea has been created with designer fabric but you can make your own little crop from old garments and material scraps. Cut unwanted clothes to size (the tighter the weave the better, but any colour or design will do), fill with dried beans and toy stuffing (which you can get from any craft or DIY shop), add a twig or stick and secure with jute twine. You can find a number of tutorials online.
How about transforming your fireplace into a dramatic pumpkin patch? Line the mantelpiece with different sized pumpkins. Leave a few their natural tone and paint others white, black and gold. Finish with a graphic orange garland that looks striking and stylish set against a dark background. The simple cut-out silhouette is easy to replicate at home with coloured craft paper and scissors or you can snap up a ready-made design.
A pumpkin flower arrangement makes a novel centrepiece for any table. Simply cut the top off of a large pumpkin and scoop out enough flesh to make room for some floral foam inside. Then it’s time to let your creative juices flow by arranging some seasonal flowers and berry stems inside. Make sure the flowers are spilling out of the pumpkin rather than standing vertically as you need to account for the weight of the lid on the stalks. Finish with sprigs of greenery for an extra autumnal feel.
Stickers are a brilliant and easy way to give your pumpkins a makeover. Not On The High Street has some budget-friendly designs, but if you fancy getting crafty, you can try stencilling a name or phrase onto your pumpkin instead. Trace out the letters using matt black paint or washable markers – you could even add some glitter to create a super-sparkly design!
For a chic and shiny effect, glam up your pumpkins with some gold paint and transfer stickers. Prime your pumpkin with white matt paint first to achieve a good base for your gold and ensure you choose stickers with a strong adhesive. Then let your creativity run wild – experiment with different graphic designs such as polka dots and zig zags.
For a cool, customisable autumn decoration, add a lick of chalkboard paint to your pumpkin. Once it's dry, use chalk (or a chalkboard pen) to draw your design. For a fun touch, write witty messages, song lyrics or quotes onto your pumpkins and leave them near your front door to give guests a warm welcome.
Recycle your empty cans and create some cute tin can pumpkins to decorate your porch. After washing out your cans, paint them orange, then add a cork, leaves and a length of twine for a sweet and simple doorstep decoration. Get creative and use cans of differing sizes with mismatched fabric trims to make your own little 'pumpcan' patch.
Perfect for book lovers, you can create these ingenious pumpkins at home. All you need is an old paperback (that you’re willing to part with), card, pencils, sharp scissors, glue, a stick for the stem and a scrap of ribbon or fabric to tie around the top. You can add some orange spray paint to the edge of the pages if you're feeling extra crafty, as well as changing up the shapes and sizes of the templates to create variety.
Create personalised pumpkins with seasonal slogans using a Cricut digital cutting machine. Whether you choose to decorate real pumpkins or paint colourful ceramic versions, a printed quote will add the perfect and professional looking harvest or Halloween message.
Make use of any offcuts of wood you may have in the garage by crafting your own rustic pumpkin decorations. Make sure that you use smooth wood so it’s easier to prime, then paint the grain orange and draw on your faces with permanent marker. If you'd rather buy a ready-made design, you can snap one up on Etsy here.
The next time you head out for a country walk bring home an interesting fallen branch with lots of sprigs. Pop it in a glass vase and then decorate the foliage with cute cotton wool coloured felt pumpkins. The muted colours and soft texture creates a more natural and organic autumn pumpkin display and a distinct Nordic feel.
Upcycle empty drinks bottles with this fun pumpkin-style design. Mason jars work well but any bottle will do, just be sure to give them a good rinse before you start painting. First, spray the bottles with a white primer to get a good painting base, then use orange paint from any craft or DIY store to coat them. You can use green paint for the top of the bottle and then tie a small twine bow for the finishing touch.
Repurpose your Mason jar lids as well as the containers with this stylish metal upcycle. This DIY project uses Mason jar lid bands tied together with yarn to create a cute pumpkin shape, with a cinnamon stick stem for a fresh autumn scent. If your cupboards are void of jars, fear not, you can usually pick up Mason jars in bulk at thrift and craft stores, or you can buy similar charming designs premade from Etsy.
Add a dark and mysterious edge to your pumpkin display this year with a dramatic pairing of black and gold. After priming, add two coats of paint for even coverage. Once you have your canvas, you can then adorn your pumpkins with an array of bold designs such as graphic patterns and constellations – metallic felt markers are ideal for this.
Loved this? We've rounded up the best spooktacular Halloween decorating ideas