35 simple yet chic pumpkin décor ideas

Impress the neighbours with these jack-o'-lantern crafts

Sure to give your home the perfect autumnal look, these pumpkin decorating ideas are just the ticket to wow your friends and neighbours before, during and after Halloween.

From painted gourds to planters filled with seasonal blooms, read on and get set to impress with these ingenious budget-friendly pumpkin décor designs.

Celebrate the Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican festival dedicated to remembering deceased friends and family. However, instead of being a macabre occasion, the holiday – usually celebrated during October and November – is a riot of lively colour!

These fun pumpkins pay homage to the Dia de los Muertos festival with traditional sugar skull designs in bright shades and finished with flower crowns. Why not try using glow-in-the-dark paint for an extra surprise when the lights go out?

Add funny faces to fabric pumpkins

Give shop-bought fabric pumpkins some personality by using iron-on vinyl to create fun faces. You can use a cutting machine like a Cricut or snip the shapes by hand. Cute or scary – you decide!

Featured project from Hobbycraft.

Create some animal magic

Swap creepy for cute with an adorable animal design. This easy fox is perfect for kids to try; simply paint a white heart shape on an orange pumpkin and add eyes and a nose. Cut ears and a tail from cardboard and either glue them on or carefully slice little slots into the pumpkin flesh (with help from an adult!).

Paint a welcome message

Give visitors a warm autumnal welcome by painting a large pumpkin with a cheerful message in chalkboard paint. Pop it on the doorstep or front porch to greet passers-by or in a window away from any hungry pests.

Of course, if you'd prefer to add a scary message for Halloween, that's up to you!

Pick a muted palette

If brights aren't your bag, then opt for a chic monochrome scheme in muted white and grey. Use chalky paint to cover real, ceramic or foam pumpkins or gather artificial ones in your chosen shades.

They look ultra sophisticated arranged here in a modern bowl on a coffee table.

Use napkins to decoupage a design

It's hard to believe this beautifully decorated pumpkin was created using a napkin, however, these humble table essentials are a great – and low-cost – alternative to decoupage papers. Start by painting your pumpkin in a light-coloured chalk paint and leave to dry. Next, separate the layers of your napkin so you just have the top sheet with the design on it. Use PVA glue to stick sections to your pumpkin and smooth them down with a paintbrush. Once dry, finish with several more coats of glue to varnish.

Make it cute with kawaii faces

'Kawaii' means to be loveable and cute in Japanese pop culture and we're sure you'll agree that these tiny pumpkins are just that. They're super easy to create, too. Simply paint in a pretty shade of chalk paint – tester pots are ideal for this – and add an adorable face using a marker pen. Who said Jack-o'-lanterns had to be scary?

Paint a spooky silhouette

White pumpkins are striking on their own, but how about adding more drama with a silhouette design?

Use a black pen, paint or cut shapes from paper and stick them on to create a Halloween scene. We love these animal designs including a creepy crow sitting in a tree and a cat ready for battle with a mouse.

Brighten a scheme with candy colours

Any successful home décor is created by building up colour and texture so why should your autumnal scheme be any different?

Try layering up brightly coloured velvet and boucle fabric pumpkins against vibrant upholstery for a unique seasonal display that's more treat than trick.

Featured pumpkins from Hobbycraft.

Fill everylasting pumpkin planters

Real pumpkins make excellent planters but will sadly eventually perish by the end of the season. If you're looking for a display that will last a little longer, fill pumpkin-shaped ceramic planters in authentic shades with your favourite house plants. Bonus points if you can find flowers with matching blooms, as seen here!

Pumpkin planters available from Ivyline.

Use up fabric scraps

Making your own fabric pumpkins is a great way to use up scraps from your stash. Start by cutting a circle from your material, then hand sew a running stitch around the circumference. Pull up to gather and fill the shape with toy stuffing until plump. Secure the thread before wrapping additional thread or twine around the pumpkin to create 'segments' and add a stalk.

Embrace embroidery

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.

Set up a spa day

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!

Make stylish succulent holders

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.

Embellish a wreath with pumpkins

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 pinecones to really wow passers-by.

Featured wreath available from Lights4fun.

Craft paper pumpkins that last

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. Why not swap the central stalk for a real cinnamon stick for a touch of added fragrance and fun?

Create a floral focal point

A pumpkin flower arrangement makes a novel centrepiece for any table. Simply cut the top off a large pumpkin and scoop out enough flesh to make room for some floral foam inside.

Next, arrange a selection of seasonal flowers and berry stems inside. Make sure the blooms are spilling out of the pumpkin for an abundant look. Finish with sprigs of greenery for an extra autumnal feel.

Hang a mini felt pumpkin garland

Give a shelf or mantelpiece an autumnal flourish by hanging a cute garland made from mini felt pumpkins. We can't resist the alternating warm shades or orange and yellow in this readymade version.

Featured garland from Lights4fun.

Give Mason jars a makeover

Upcycle empty glass jars with this fun pumpkin-style design. Mason jars work well but any style will do, just be sure to give them a good rinse before you start painting.

First, spray the jars with a white primer to get a good base, then use orange paint from any craft or DIY store to coat them. You can use brown or green paint for the lid of the jars and then glue on an upright cork for stalks and felt leaves.

Create a colourful tablescape

Ditch dark and gloomy colours in favour of bright and beautiful shades. Create an uncharacteristically cheerful Halloween tablescape with pumpkin-shaped paper plates, whimsical napkins, and a scattering of pumpkin chocolate balls. Finish with brightly coloured candles in gothic holders, seasonal blooms and adorable plush pumpkins in fuchsia and orange arranged in the centre.

Featured tablescape by Talking Tables

Be inspired by Chinoiserie

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 using blue and white decoupage papers to cover real or faux pumpkins and gourds, or even hand paint your own Chinoiserie designs.

Channel Henri Matisse

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 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.

Featured project available from Hobbycraft.

Add a little luxury with velvet

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.

Featured velvet pumpkins available from Rockett St George.

Create a pumpkin platter

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.

Featured grazing board available from Ginger Ray.

Hand paint diddy doughnuts

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!

Upcycle jars to make fun lanterns

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 a length of 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.

Featured project available from Hobbycraft.

Crochet up a cosy corner

Try your hand at whipping up adorable woolly pumpkins for a snug autumn scheme. Ideal for crochet novices, you'll need balls of 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.

Featured project available from Hobbycraft.

Brighten with autumn colours

Paint a fabulously fun pumpkin display with rich colours and fun effects. For an ombré look 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.

Decorate your doorstep

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!

Dip dye and two-tone

Transform your pumpkins into an eye-catching arrangement with these on-trend, two-tone 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 a little glitter paint to the top.

Featured project available from Rust-Oleum.

Decorate with mini pumpkins

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.

Featured tablescape from Lights4fun.

Light up pumpkin candles

We're all familiar with the staple jack-o'-lanterns that light up our homes every Halloween, but how about replacing them with 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.

These LED pumpkin-shaped candles 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.

Featured candles from Lights4fun.

Elevate with glitz and glamour

For a chic and shiny effect, glam up your pumpkins with 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.

Spell it out

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.

Featured project from Hobbycraft.

Choose moody and metallic

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.