Autumn is arriving with its warm atmosphere, pumpkin-spiced favorites, and the perfect opportunity to enjoy the season’s appeal! Using these imaginative and motivating suggestions, we can turn your home into a pumpkin-filled retreat.
The enjoyable part starts here, and we’re ready to elevate your Fall decorating. Let’s explore everything pumpkin-related, including DIY projects, ways to style your home, and even a delicious pumpkin dessert! Does that sound good? Let’s begin!
Pumpkin Projects: From Porch to Table
For anyone who adores Fall and pumpkins, I’ve gathered plenty of ideas for you today. My favorite DIY projects and decorating inspiration are all collected here for you to browse.
Section 1: Pumpkin DIY Projects
Below you’ll find some of my favorite pumpkin DIY ideas for styling your home throughout this Fall season.
Pottery Barn Terracotta Pumpkin Dupe DIY
When I spotted the Pottery Barn terracotta pumpkins online for the first time, I took a screenshot, sent it to a blogging friend, and told her, “Look at these! I’m going to find a way to recreate them.” I had a feeling they would become incredibly popular! By their second year, the Pottery Barn designs had already sold out in August. If you missed out on the PB pumpkins or weren’t interested in paying 100 dollars, you can create your own.
So, if you have some outdated ceramic jack-o’lanterns stored away—or even plastic or foam pumpkins—this is the ideal project to tackle!!
This pumpkin craft is simple, although you’ll need to allow a full day for the pumpkins to dry between each stage.
DIY Festive Pumpkin Garland
Want to create an adorable garland this Fall? This pumpkin decoration uses a package of wooden pumpkin ornaments from the dollar store, wooden beads, jute string, and assorted ribbons. The best part is how easily you can customize it to match your decorating preferences based on the ribbon colors you select! For a Halloween-inspired look, try orange and purple ribbons or choose a playful pattern!
Cement Look Pumpkins
This pumpkin craft began when I opened one of my Fall storage bins and discovered several foam pumpkins that were worn and damaged. Since cement-inspired decor is currently popular, I decided to give those foam pumpkins a faux-concrete finish. I especially enjoy projects that reuse items already on hand! It helps save money.
With some thick, textured yarn and a few foam pumpkins from your craft collection, you can create a delightful set of warm and inviting pumpkins! Complete them with an adorable wooden stem from Dollar Tree.
Pinecone Pumpkin
Have some pinecones left over? Natural-decor enthusiasts will love this ideal DIY project. Simply separate a pinecone and attach its scales to a small foam pumpkin.
Although this craft is quite easy, it does require a little patience! If repetitive activities appeal to you, this project is just right.
Below are two pumpkin craft ideas that can adorn your front door.
Dollar Tree Pumpkin Sign
To refresh a Dollar Tree pumpkin sign, simply turn it around and give it a coat of paint! Finish it with a few Dollar Tree decorations for an inexpensive and charming seasonal door accent.
Buffalo Check Pumpkin Door Decoration
Looking for a playful alternative to a wreath this fall? Create this pumpkin door decoration using a Dollar Tree pumpkin frame and a strand of buffalo-check beads from Amazon. It has become a favorite among readers!
Pumpkin & Hydrangea Wreath
This pumpkin and hydrangea wreath can be assembled in roughly 10 minutes. It uses a square Dollar Tree metal wreath form, several small foam pumpkins, and dried hydrangeas.
Pumpkin-Shaped Grapevine Wreath
What a fun project! Overlap two grapevine wreaths to form the base of a pumpkin-shaped wreath. For this version, I embellished it with hydrangeas and sunflowers from my garden.
Pumpkin Arrangement Filled with Fresh Flowers
Need an attractive centerpiece for your Fall or Thanksgiving table? Use my detailed tutorial to make this charming floral arrangement.
Decorating Pumpkins with Pressed Flowers
If you enjoy flowers and pumpkins as much as I do, this Fall DIY is perfect for you! Add pressed flowers to a few pumpkins to create the most beautiful pumpkin on the block. I’ll also share my secret for pressing flowers quickly—the microwave!
Section 2: Pumpkin-Inspired Home Decor
Want to bring a touch of pumpkin spice into your Fall home decor without going overboard? Try these ideas for incorporating understated Fall accents throughout your home.
Pumpkin Fall Displays
For this large dough bowl from Hobby Lobby, I combined petite faux pumpkins with a pinecone pumpkin, garden-dried flowers, feathers, and a few artificial berry stems to create a simple, neutral arrangement for the hutch in my dining space.
On the small entryway table, styled mostly with secondhand treasures, I placed a petite wooden pumpkin and a faux heirloom pumpkin.
To complement my neutral, natural Fall decorating style, I paired DIY terracotta pumpkins with pinecone pumpkins and rattan pumpkins.
Using dried botanicals such as wheat and lotus pods in vases is a wonderful way to bring natural elements indoors. It is also an affordable decorating option since they can be used again next year. To store dried botanicals, I save the original plastic sleeve they came in and place them in a storage container at the end of the season, helping them stay clean and dust-free until next year.
For this display, I arranged dried flowers on a pretty pedestal stand and added a few small felt pumpkins.
Fall Gallery Wall
This Fall, I’ve gathered a selection of complimentary printables you can use to bring an Autumn accent to your artwork. In addition to pumpkins, the collection includes mushrooms, leaves, and feathers.
Section 3: Outdoor Pumpkin Decor
Enjoy these inviting pumpkin porch arrangements for a bit of Autumn inspiration!
Porch Filled with Pumpkins
Can a porch ever have too many pumpkins?? I honestly don’t know! This year, I tucked beautiful pumpkins and gourds into every nook and cranny.
Why not experiment with uniquely colored pumpkins when styling your porch? Visit nearby farmstands or nurseries to find them. I purchased all of my pumpkins and gourds from a local farm.
Rustic Autumn Porch
Give your porch arrangement an unexpected twist with an item like this vivid aqua potting table from my garden. The vintage pieces I’ve gathered further enhance the porch’s rustic Fall appearance.
Storybook Pumpkin Porch
This porch has a more streamlined appearance, featuring fairytale pumpkins in soft, muted tones, along with lanterns and planters overflowing with Fall flowers.
Section 4: Pumpkin-Related Tips and Tricks
How to Choose the Ideal Pumpkins
Examine the Pumpkins: As you select pumpkins, choose firm specimens without soft patches or mold. Look over the stem for any rot and select pumpkins with strong, undamaged stems. To prevent breakage, never lift pumpkins by the stem! Instead, carry them from underneath or support them with both arms. A pumpkin without a stem is simply sad!!
Several Helpful Pumpkin Pointers
Pumpkins in full sunlight mature and decay faster than those placed outdoors in shady or sheltered locations.
Raise the Pumpkins: Set pumpkins on an elevated surface to encourage airflow and stop moisture from collecting beneath them instead of setting them directly on the ground.
Check Often: Examine stored pumpkins frequently for indications of rot or softness. Take away any damaged or deteriorating pumpkins so they do not impact the remaining ones.
Preserve with Bleach: To lengthen the lifespan of carved pumpkins, combine one tablespoon of bleach with each quart of water and soak the pumpkin thoroughly inside and out. Let it air-dry before setting it out. This may help reduce mold development and dehydration.
Apply Clear Coat: To discourage critters from turning your pumpkins into a party, try misting them with a clear topcoat. It has worked well for me before!
Section 5: Pumpkin Photography Tips
Taking pictures of pumpkins is an enjoyable way to preserve the Fall season. Below are several photography suggestions to help you create eye-catching pumpkin images:
Select the Ideal Time of Day:
For outdoor photography, the “golden hours” are generally best: the period soon after sunrise and the time before sunset, when the light is soft and warm. This delicate, angled illumination brings dimension and texture to pumpkin photographs.
Make Use of Natural Light:
Whenever you can, turn to natural lighting and leave the flash switched off! Flash photography may produce sharp shadows and diminish the pumpkins’ texture. Arrange your pumpkins somewhere they can enjoy gentle, filtered daylight.
Explore Different Angles:
To discover engaging viewpoints, photograph your pumpkins from a variety of angles. Lower yourself close to the ground for a worm’s-eye perspective, or take the picture from overhead for a bird’s-eye view. You can also shoot from the side to highlight the pumpkins’ forms and surface details.
Consider the Background:
Be mindful of what appears behind your subject. The background should enhance the image instead of pulling attention away from it. In many cases, a clean and uncomplicated setting is the ideal choice.
Play with Depth:
To give your pictures more dimension, arrange several pumpkins at different distances from the camera. This setup can create a stronger feeling of depth and size within the composition.
Keep in mind that photography is creative, so experiment freely, think imaginatively, and shape a personal style for capturing pumpkins. Take plenty of pictures and adjust your setup until you get the pumpkin shot you love. I enjoy photographing pumpkins for their wonderful textures and unique details, and I simply adore the beauty of Fall scenery!
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
Has all this pumpkin conversation left you feeling hungry?? If so, you absolutely need to bake this chocolate chip pumpkin bread! It’s a tender, flavorful Fall treat.
I believe I’ve shared just about every pumpkin idea I could come up with for you today! From my favorite pumpkin DIY projects and top decorating suggestions for indoor and outdoor spaces to helpful photography advice and my best pumpkin-inspired tips & tricks. With all of that, you should be ready for your most festive Fall yet!
Have your projects featured! Whether this post or another one of my DIY ideas inspires you, I’d be delighted to see your creations and include them in the Reader’s Spotlight gallery. Email a photo to jennifer@cottageonbunkerhill.com
xo, Jennifer
Cozy Fall Favorites
