Decorating With Pumpkins: Creative Ideas for Inside And Out
Bring the warmth of the season home with creative ideas for decorating with pumpkins indoors and out. Simple, beautiful, and full of fall charm.
Pumpkins and fall just belong together. Their natural beauty, endless colors, and interesting shapes make them the perfect accent for every room in your home. Whether you gather them fresh from a local farm stand, paint them, or reuse your favorite velvet ones year after year, pumpkins add that unmistakable autumn feeling we all love to our homes.
I’ve gathered the best ideas for decorating with pumpkins, grouped by style and use, so you can find exactly what inspires you most.
Pretty Pumpkin Centerpieces And Table Ideas
One of the easiest and most beautiful ways to decorate with pumpkins is by using them on tables. From dining tables to kitchen islands, they add instant warmth and a welcoming fall look.
- Create a vignette with one gorgeous pumpkin as the focal point and surround it with pinecones, a bowl of acorns, or a pretty vase of dried hydrangeas.
- Line pumpkins down the center of a table on a burlap runner or woven mat for a relaxed harvest feel.
- Fill a dough bowl or wide basket with pumpkins, seed pods, and greenery for a simple centerpiece that lasts all season.
- Arrange a large pumpkin on a cake stand with bittersweet gently wrapped around its base, and place it on a buffet or sideboard.
- Tie a small paper leaf with your guest’s name to each pumpkin stem for the sweetest seasonal place cards.
Related: 60+ Ideas For Setting A Fall Table
Simple Pumpkin Ideas For Everyday Decorating
Sometimes, the smallest details make the biggest difference. A few well-placed pumpkins tucked into your everyday decor can bring that perfect hint of fall to any room. These ideas are easy, quick, and beautiful — just the way decorating should be.
- Perch a pumpkin on a candlestick or a stack of books to add height and interest.
- Nestle a tiny pumpkin into a bird’s nest or teacup for a sweet seasonal accent.
- Group several mini pumpkins on a tray or tabletop vignette to instantly make it feel fall-ready.
- Wrap a strand of white fairy lights around a few pumpkins for a warm evening glow.
- Tie a simple ribbon around the stem of a pumpkin for a polished finishing touch.
- Place a small pumpkin beside a candle or vase of flowers on a nightstand, vanity, or kitchen counter. It’s that simple!
- Tuck a mini pumpkin or two in a bookshelf, on a bathroom sink, or somewhere a bit unexpected.
These small touches blend beautifully with what you already have, giving your home a soft, welcoming fall feel without any fuss.
Pro Tip:
If you decorate with real pumpkins indoors, set them on a small plate or coaster to protect surfaces from moisture.
Related: Fall Vignette Ideas
Decorating With Pumpkins In Containers
Pumpkins look especially beautiful when styled inside containers. Bowls, urns, lanterns, and glass jars add instant texture and help create a more intentional, gathered look. This is such an easy way to decorate for fall — and you probably already have what you need at home.
- Tuck a pumpkin into an urn and fill the empty spaces with dried hydrangeas, eucalyptus, or bittersweet.
- Fill a lantern with mini pumpkins and a few grapevines for a cozy glow.
- Layer small pumpkins, nuts, or popcorn kernels in glass cylinders for an inexpensive and interesting accent.
- Find a wreath the size of your pumpkin’s base and set both inside a bowl or basket for a textural arrangement.
- Place a large pumpkin in a champagne bucket or planter and fill around the edges with greenery.
- Float pumpkins in a birdbath or wide bowl filled with water for a pretty outdoor touch.
- Create a fall dough bowl with various-sized pumpkins and other natural fall elements.
Pro Tip:
Line a handful of pinecones in the bottom of a bowl or basket before arranging your pumpkins. Pinecones are free, easy to find, and add natural height, keeping pumpkins visible.
Using containers provides structure to your displays and allows you to move them easily from room to room as the season progresses.
Velvet And Faux Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Velvet and faux pumpkins are beautiful investment pieces that can be used year after year. They bring softness, color, and texture that complement almost any style of fall decorating.
- Stack velvet pumpkins in a wide bowl with pinecones, acorns, or dried pods for a layered, collected look.
- Mix real and faux pumpkins together — no one will notice the difference, and your displays will last longer.
- Replace tired stems on faux pumpkins with real dried ones for a more natural look.
- Gather several small pumpkins in neutral tones for a calm, cohesive feel that works in every room.
- Add a single velvet pumpkin to a bookshelf, nightstand, or tray for just a hint of fall color and texture.
The mix of soft velvet, wood, and natural elements adds depth and quiet beauty to your home all season long.
Related: Best Tips For Using Faux Greens At Christmas
Front Porch And Outdoor Pumpkin Ideas
Your porch is the first thing guests see, and pumpkins are the simplest way to make it feel warm and inviting. Whether you prefer a neutral, classic, or colorful look, a few well-placed pumpkins will bring your front porch to life all season long.
- Line your porch steps with pumpkins in varying shapes and sizes.
- Mix pumpkins with fall plants like mums, kale, or ornamental cabbage for color and texture.
- Create a “mumkin” by planting a mum inside a hollowed-out pumpkin.
- Stack pumpkins to make a pretty totem-style display by your door.
- Wrap bittersweet vines or grapevine garlands around large pumpkins for an organic touch.
- Paint your house number on a pumpkin and set it near your front door or mailbox.
- Add lanterns, baskets, or fairy lights to bring your display to life after dark.
- Add pumpkins to a front porch planter.
Even the smallest porch, like mine, can look festive with a few thoughtful details. Pumpkins paired with greenery and soft lighting make your home look welcoming. Every year, our porch is the first place I decorate for fall. It’s the space that greets family and friends, and nothing says welcome quite like a few pumpkins by the door.
Related: Fall Porch Decorating Ideas, 8 Tips For Keeping Pumpkins Fresh Longer
Non-Orange And Neutral Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
If bright orange doesn’t suit your style, neutral and muted pumpkins create a beautiful, understated fall look. They blend easily into almost any color palette and feel calm and natural.
- Choose white, green, gray, or soft pink pumpkins for a softer color scheme.
- Pair them with dried hydrangeas, eucalyptus, or magnolia leaves for a subtle, elegant look.
- Mix velvet and faux pumpkins in neutral tones to add texture without overwhelming your decor.
- Coordinate your pumpkins with your existing home colors for a cohesive look that still feels seasonal.
Decorating with neutral pumpkins brings the warmth of fall into your home without changing your entire color palette.
Related: Decorating For Fall When You Don’t Like Orange
Creative Pumpkin DIYs And Crafty Ideas
Fall is a wonderful time to add a few creative, hands-on projects to your decor. Pumpkins are easy to personalize, and these ideas can turn a simple gourd into something extra special.
- Gild or paint pumpkins in colors that fit your home’s palette.
- Spray paint faux pumpkins with metallic or mercury glass paint for a soft reflective glow.
- Decoupage pumpkins using patterned paper or napkins for a one-of-a-kind look.
- Hollow out pumpkins to use as planters for mums or succulents.
- Paint your house number or a simple fall message like Welcome Home on a pumpkin near your front door.
- Tie a ribbon or bit of twine around a pumpkin stem for a charming, finished touch.
Related: Gilded Pumpkin DIY and Chinoiserie Pumpkin DIY
Pumpkin-Themed Entertaining Ideas
Pumpkins aren’t just for decorating — they can be a charming part of your entertaining, too. Whether you’re hosting a cozy dinner or a casual gathering, these ideas bring a festive fall touch to your table.
- Use mini pumpkins as cheese markers — attach small paper labels to wooden skewers and tuck them into the top of each pumpkin.
- Give little pumpkins as favors for guests to take home after dinner.
- Hollow out a pumpkin to use as a serving dish or cooler for drinks.
- Add a few pumpkins to your bar cart for a seasonal accent that feels thoughtful and fun.
- Coordinate your pumpkin with your table color story for an attractive look.
These small touches show your guests that fall isn’t just a season — it’s a celebration.
Keeping And Displaying Pumpkins Beautifully
With just a little care, your pumpkins can remain fresh and lovely throughout the entire season. Whether you decorate indoors or out, these simple steps will help you enjoy them for weeks.
- Keep pumpkins dry and out of direct sunlight to prevent soft spots.
- Elevate them off damp surfaces with a trivet, wood slice, or coaster.
- Wipe pumpkins with a mild vinegar or bleach solution or give them a bath in warm sudsy water to prevent mold growth.
- Store extras in a cool, dry spot and rotate them into displays as needed.
- Combine real and faux pumpkins so your decor looks full and stays fresh.
A little maintenance goes a long way in preserving your fall decor.
The Best Tip:
If a pumpkin starts to soften or rot, pop off the stem before tossing it out. Let the stem dry completely, then store it in a labeled zip-top bag. Next fall, glue it onto a faux pumpkin for a natural, realistic look. It’s one of the easiest ways to make inexpensive faux pumpkins look high-end.
Related: 8 Tips For Keeping Pumpkins Fresh Longer
Frequently Asked Pumpkin Questions
Real pumpkins can last two to three weeks indoors if kept dry and away from heat sources. You can keep them looking fresher by washing them with sudsy water, rinsing them thoroughly, and then drying them.
Yes! Combining real and faux pumpkins gives you natural texture and long-lasting style.
White, green, and soft pink pumpkins work beautifully with most home styles and color palettes.
Pumpkins truly are the center of fall decorating. From tabletops and porches to creative DIY projects, they bring color, warmth, and charm to every corner of your home. Living in Lancaster County, I’m surrounded by pumpkins of every color. It’s impossible not to bring a few home!
I love using pumpkins in all shapes, sizes, and materials — fresh from the fields, soft and velvety, or beautifully painted. They remind me that this is the season to slow down, savor home, and enjoy the beauty of simple things. And don’t we all love that?
Happy pumpkin decorating, friend…
