As October creeps closer, it’s time to think about how you are going to decorate your home for the spookiest season. Do you have a tradition of carving pumpkins with the kids? Or do you usually break out your craft supplies and have a pumpkin painting party with friends? No matter your preference or skill level, we have pumpkin decorating ideas that are sure to wow.
It can be hard to come up with creative ways to dress up a plain old pumpkin each year, so we’ve rounded up 60 of the most unique designs to inspire you. Once you find the right one for this year’s festivities, pair it with Halloween home decorations or fall decorations for a complete look!
1. Floral Moon Design
Photo by: The Merry Thought
For an elegant and inspired look, take a basic shape like a moon and cover it with flowers. Once you drill holes to hold the flowers, you can easily switch them out throughout the season.
2. Rainbow Display
Photo by: A Kailo Chic Life
Show off your love of colors by creating a rainbow display of pumpkins. Cover your mantle with pumpkins of a variety of shapes and sizes for a dynamic look.
3. Pumpkin Spice on Demand
Photo by: Posh Little Designs
Fall is a season known for colorful leaves, cozy flannels and most importantly, steaming hot pumpkin spice lattes. Get your favorite drink on demand with this cute PSL bell.
4. Ombre Pumpkin
Photo by: A Kailo Chic Life
For a softer look, create an ombre pumpkin. Begin with a darker hue on the bottom and gradually lighten the color until it’s white. This makes for the perfect porch decor!
5. Phases of the Moon
Photo by: Homemade Banana
Mimic the night sky by recreating the phases of the moon on pumpkins. This simple DIY makes for a spooky, but stylish Halloween display.
6. Metallic Spiders
Photo by: Artful Days
Looking for a fun Halloween party decor idea? Transform small pumpkins into spiders with some brilliant metallic paint and black wire.
7. Unicorn Design
Photo by: Posh Little Designs
Transform a small white pumpkin into a mythical creature with some paint and flowers. This unicorn pumpkin decor will be too cute to toss when the season comes to an end!
8. Painted Contrast
Photo by: Elsarblog
For a creative display, paint a variety of pumpkins and gourds with black and white paints. Include spooky Halloween animals like bats and spiders to complete the arrangement.
9. DIY Cactus Pumpkin Garden
Photo by: Aww Sam
Does your home get too cold to have a cactus garden? Then we have good news: you can recreate one with pumpkins! Paint large pumpkins in shades of green and add paper detail to finish.
10. Pretty in Plaid
Photo by: Lolly Jane
Create a stylish front porch display by painting pumpkins. Combine simple plaid designs with painterly floral designs. For an added touch, paint the pumpkin stems a unique color as well!
11. Two-Toned Triangles
Photo by: Dream Green DIY
Take an artistic approach by painting two-toned triangles onto the white canvas of a pumpkin. These fall colors will fit in perfectly with the rest of your fall decor.
12. Black Cat Decor
Photo by: Crafts by Amanda
This DIY is perfect for cat lovers and witches alike. Use a paint pen to draw cat faces and cute phrases on small pumpkins. These would be perfect for a windowsill display!
13. Spider Nest
Photo by: Let’s Mingle
What’s creepier than one spider? A spider’s nest! Remove the top of a pumpkin and stuff it with straw or a similar filler. Cover the rest of the pumpkin with jet black spiders.
14. Pumpkin Vase
Photo by: Crafty Little Gnome
Transform your pumpkin into a vase! Contrast the vibrant orange of the pumpkin vase with neutral white florals and green filler leaves.
15. Neon Design
Photo by: Design Improvised
Lovers of bright colors will rave about this DIY. Create a modern look by designing a simple pattern out of neon-colored geometric shapes.
16. String Art
Photo by: Motte
Looking for a creative no-carve pumpkin idea? This one nailed it! Try creating a message with your pumpkins on the porch. Use a base of nails and add string to make an elaborate string art pattern.
17. Lawn Flamingo Pumpkins
Photo by: Aww Sam
Tired of the traditional fall colors and themes? Spice up your front lawn with these DIY magenta flamingos. Your neighbors will be impressed to find out they are made of pumpkins.
18. Tattoo Pumpkins
Photo by: Gold Standard Workshop
Use metallic gold tattoos to create an elegant pattern on your pumpkin. The prints will stand out even more if you paint the pumpkin a color like pink or turquoise before applying them.
19. WInk-Wink
Photo by: Idle Hands Awake
If jack-o’-lanterns are too scary for you, go the opposite direction by creating a cute face. Simply cut out the paper template and glue it to a pumpkin.
20. Decoupage Decor
Photo by: Twinspiration
Is decoupage a staple in your household? Use it to create this artistic look. Simply glue two to three colors of tissue paper to a white pumpkin for an ombre effect.
21. Chic Painted Pumpkins
Photo by: Bubby and Bean
This DIY is perfect for the beginner painter. In just a few steps you’ll have transformed a traditional pumpkin into a chic piece of decor.
22. Ghosts of Glitter’s Past
Photo by: I Heart Naptime
Is your pumpkin design falling a little flat? Spice it up by adding glitter. These fun ghost, bat and spider designs are taken to the next level with black and white sparkles.
23. Galaxy Art
Photo by: 42 Stripes
Not only will the Milky Way be in your candy bag, but it will be on your front porch with this galactic decor. With metallic paint and glitter, this galaxy pumpkin will be sure to get your house noticed!
24. Elegant Flower Display
Photo by: The Bubbly Life
Not ready to let go of summer flowers? Display them with eucalyptus for an elegant floral pumpkin display. Pair brightly colored flowers with a neutral white pumpkin for a pop of color.
25. Leaf Lantern
Photo by: Our House Now a Home
Create a unique fall display by painting a pumpkin gray and carving out a leaf pattern. Add in a battery operated candle and watch the warm glow of your leaf lantern light up your porch on a cold, dark night.
26. Painted Marble
Photo by: Hill City Bride
Embrace the current marbling trend by using it to decorate your pumpkin. Pick three or four colors of paint and layer them to mimic a marble pattern.
27. Black and White Floral Pumpkin
Photo by: Design Improvised
Nothing creates a contrast like black and white. Recreate this look by painting fake flowers black and attaching them to a cream colored pumpkin.
28. Pumpkin Basket Display
Photo by: The Honeycomb
Need to decorate for fall but running out of time and energy? Create a simple display for your porch by filling a wicker basket with fresh flowers and a white pumpkin.
29. Chalk Paint Pumpkins
Photo by: The Home I Create
Not a fan of orange? Cover classic pumpkins with chalk paint for a neutral, matte finish that fits better with your style. Place them on risers with acorns for a polished display.
30. Mummy Pumpkin Treat
Photo by: Miso Bakes
For the Halloween party host who is looking for kitchen pumpkin decorating ideas, look no further. This mummy wrapped pumpkin cake will work as decor and dessert!
31. Upcycled Glitter Pumpkin
Photo by: Remodelando La Casa
Upcycle all of your old ribbon spools into a sparkly fall display. Cover the spools with orange spray paint and gold glitter, tie them together and add a rope stem for a display that no one else will have.
32. Arrow Carvings
Photo by: Tatertots and Jello
Create coffee table decor for the season by carving arrow designs into gold pumpkins. Be sure to use larger pumpkins so that the entire design fits.
33. Floral Pumpkin Centerpiece
Photo by: Simply Ciani
Try your hand at flower arranging with a pumpkin as your vase. Fill the neutral colored pumpkin with floral foam and fake flowers that will last all season long.
34. Painted Baseball Pumpkin
Photo by: Life in Left Field
This baseball design is a home run! Use your painting skills to recreate your favorite sports ball on a pumpkin. If football is more your scene, try painting the football laces on a gourd instead.
35. Rhinestone Sparkle
Photo by: Dans Le Lakehouse
Add a sparkly element to your fall decor by covering a pumpkin in rhinestones. The beauty of this DIY is that you can adjust the color scheme to match your other decor.
36. Artistic Flair
Photo by: Oh So Beautiful
Brighten up your home with these Matisse-inspired pumpkins. Print the template and color block the shapes onto pumpkins. The result? A unique and artsy take on pumpkin decorating.
37. Thumbtack Design
Photo by: Gold Standard Workshop
Use craft supplies you already have to decorate your pumpkin this year. Create a design out of thumbtacks or decoupage colorful wrapping paper clippings to the pumpkin for a fun addition.
38. Paint Dipped Pumpkins
Photo by: Ciera Designs
This painted pumpkin idea is simple to create and fun to play around with. All you need is tape, paint, glitter and your imagination.
39. Hanging Pumpkin Planter
Photo by: Hello Lidy
A fun way to display your pumpkin this fall is by hanging it. Carve out an opening in the pumpkin and fill it with decorative plants for a unique hanging planter.
40. Witchy Silhouettes
Photo by: Uncommon Designs
Add a creative element to your Halloween party by creating these witchy silhouettes. Have guests take photos with a witch hat and trace them onto black vinyl to attach to pumpkins.
41. Fern Pumpkins
Photo by: The Sassy Sparrow
Create an organic look by decorating your pumpkin with leaves. Glue ferns and other uniquely-shaped petals to a pumpkin for a simple design.
42. Spooky Gray Tones
Photo by: Hello Lidy
For a spooky piece of decor, pair matte gray-toned pumpkins with skulls and vintage books. You can choose to paint the whole pumpkins gray or leave parts white, depending on your style preference.
43. Subtle Touches
Who said your pumpkin decor had to be bright and extravagant? Even adding a little detail makes all the difference. Try painting the pumpkin stems with metallic paint for a subtle touch.
44. Layered Brush Strokes
There is no need to make all your lines crisp and clear when painting a pumpkin. Try recreating this look by layering brush strokes in a few different colors.
45. Intricately Painted Pumpkins
Test out your painting skills by trying a more complex pattern. Begin by outlining the design in pencil and then paint. Try using the end of the paint brush for little details like dots.
46. Kitchen Pumpkin Decor
If you want an easy way to welcome fall into your home, place small pumpkins in creative containers around the house. For example, use a colander to hold pumpkins in the kitchen for a cute addition to any counter.
47. Modern Patterned Pumpkins
Photo by: Love Create Celebrate
For a simple and modern look, create basic patterns and print them onto adhesive foil. This shiny design will catch the light, making it appear to glow in the dark.
48. Paper Pumpkin Lanterns
Light up a dark porch or hallway with these paper jack-o’-lantern lights. For a spooky touch, add cobwebs to the area to trap any unwanted guests.
49. Pumpkin Harvest
Create a harvest setting on your mantle or entryway table for a warm welcome. Use a variety of textures, from naturally smooth pumpkins to whicker pumpkin shapes.
50. Pumpkin Succulent
Create a succulent planter out of a pumpkin by carving out the center and planting your favorite greenery in the center. This is the perfect centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table.
51. Balloon Faces
Mimic the face of a pumpkin jack-o’-lantern by drawing with a black pen on an orange balloon. Pair it with ghost faces for memorable Halloween decor.
52. Cream Pumpkin Tablescape
If you’re a fan of neutral tones, this is the tablescape for you. Combine small cream pumpkins with white florals and decorative wicker balls.
53. Golden Warm Hues
Decorate your home by filling a golden pumpkin vase with fiery red and soft orange-hued flowers. This elegant style works for a home or an event like a fall wedding.
54. Unicorn Magic
Halloween is all about dressing up, so dress up your pumpkin to match. If you are a unicorn fan, transform a large white pumpkin into a unicorn head with flowers and glitter.
55. Pumpkins Piled High
If your fireplace isn’t functional, fill it with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Decorate a few with a black marker and leave the others in their natural state.
56. Thankful Table Decor
Photo by: Burlap and Blue
Looking for a Thanksgiving table decor idea? Try recreating this pumpkin design. Put paint pens or permanent markers on the dinner table and have your guests write what they are thankful for.
57. Festive Dinner Table
An easy and festive way to decorate your fall table is by adding small pumpkins as a centerpiece and as a place tag. Simply write your guest’s names on the side of the pumpkins and they’ll know where to sit.
58. Cozy Shelf Decor
Create a cozy vibe in your room by decorating with a mixture of small pumpkins, gourds and candles. This pumpkin decorating idea is subtle but will make your home instantly feel like fall.
Now that you have some inspiration on how to decorate pumpkins and how to use them in your home, try your hand at it. Not feeling crafty? Use your design skills to personalize a light-up pumpkin family instead!