Carving a pumpkin is a classic Halloween activity, but it usually presents some logistical challenges for those in search of pumpkin decorating ideas.
While digging through gooey pumpkin guts definitely fits the Halloween spirit, the whole production of pumpkin carving can turn into a monstrous mess.
If you'd rather skip the hassle and get straight to the crafts, no-carve pumpkin decorations are the way to go, especially if you have younger kids who want to get in on the DIY fun.
Whether you lean into the scary side of Halloween or prefer your decorations to be more cutesy than spooky, there are plenty of creative ways to decorate your pumpkins.
No knife? No problem. With a few basic craft supplies, you can turn a plain pumpkin into a no-carve pumpkin showstopper.
Add some glamour to your holiday decorations with sequins, glitter, or a disco ball-inspired design.
Kids can transform their pumpkins into mermaids, unicorns, or pineapples with a little bit of paint and some Halloween magic. (Just make sure trick-or-treaters don’t try to take a bite out of your sprinkled donut pumpkin design!)
If you prefer a more understated vibe, decorate white pumpkins with gold leaf, or try an easy DIY fabric-wrapped pumpkin that won't steal all the attention away from your fabulous Halloween costume.
These creative pumpkin decorating ideas will make your Halloween porch display the envy of the whole neighborhood.
Say Anything Pumpkins
Whatever you’ve got to say this Halloween, do it in style by creating one of these cute and punny pumpkins.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Grinning Gourds
Technically these aren’t pumpkins, but they're still in the gourd family, so we couldn’t resist. Feel free to use the concept to make a jack-o’-lantern face on just about anything.
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
Easy Marker Pumpkins
Grab a permanent marker or paint pen and the sky’s the limit on what you can design. It’s guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Disco Ball Pumpkins
Halloween will be a showstopper with this disco pumpkin that’ll have all the trick-or-treaters on the block getting their boogie on.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Temporary Tattoo Pumpkins
Who says decorated pumpkins have to be scary? Made with temporary tattoos, these floral pumpkins make for a charming Halloween display.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Popcorn Pumpkins
Settle in for a night of scary Halloween movies and, of course, don’t forget the popcorn. This inspired no-carve pumpkin is the perfect “snack” to impress all your friends.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Rainbow Pumpkins
Bring the color to your front stoop. It’s simple, really: Just get out all the paint colors you have and keep painting until you run out of pumpkins.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Gingham Pumpkins
Lean into your country roots by displaying a few gingham pumpkins on your porch. Opt for brighter hues, like bold yellows, teals and pinks, for modern flair.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Sprinkled Donut Pumpkins
These mini pumpkins all dressed up as cute-as-a-button donuts are sure to appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Disco Glam Pumpkins
Glam out this year’s gourd by turning it into a bona fide disco pumpkin. A few items from the craft store are all you need to get down.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Fingerprint Pumpkins
Let your kids turn their thumbprints into ghosts, eyeballs, skulls and other Halloween favorites.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Pom-Pom Pumpkins
Is there anything cuter than this fluffy, colorful pom-pom pumpkin? Best of all, it's easy to make: all you need is a hot glue gun and pom-poms.
Get the tutorial at Heathered Nest.
Googly Eyes Pumpkins
With all those eyes, you'll be able to see trick-or-treaters coming from a mile away. Kids and parents alike will love this goofy, googly-eyed design.
Get the tutorial at She Wears Many Hats.
Bandana Pumpkins
Add a cowboy-inspired flair to your Halloween decorations with this adorable — and simple — bandana pumpkin design.
Get the tutorial at Heathered Nest.
Chalkboard Pumpkins
Write your favorite Halloween puns on these charming chalkboard pumpkins. You can even leave a note for trick-or-treaters when you inevitably run out of candy.
Get the tutorial at She Wears Many Hats.
String Art Pumpkins
All you need for this ab fab creation is some string and a few nails and — voila — you have yourself a masterpiece.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Mickey Mouse Pumpkins
Mickey Mouse gets ghostly Halloween makeover with this inspired idea that cleverly uses mini pumpkins as ears.
Get the tutorial at Brite and Bubbly.
Decoupage Pumpkins
You'll feel like you're back in elementary school art class making these whimsical decoupage pumpkins that are simply stunning.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
“Hocus Pocus” Pumpkins
The Sanderson sisters never looked better than as these adorable (and easy) Halloween pumpkins. Witch way to the craft store?
Get the tutorial at Brite and Bubbly.
Nail Head Pumpkins
Dare we say it? Yes we do. This no-carve pumpkin really nails it. Get creative and use decorative nails to easily create any design you can imagine.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Cactus Pumpkins
You don't need to live in the Southwest to appreciate the fun colors and spirited theme of this cactus pumpkin. Grab a margarita and get down to business.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Pineapple Pumpkins
Channel the tropics this year by turning your pumpkin into a pineapple. Think of it as a costume for your gourd. No one will recognize it. Trick or treat!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Simple Elegance Pumpkins
Show off your style with this gold-leaf inspired pumpkin. It'll add a dash of elegance to your front step or Halloween party.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Mermaid Pumpkins
Little mermaids can craft a crown out of gemstones, glittery starfish and sparkly accents — and parents can handle the rest.
Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.
Starry Night Pumpkins
Use the pumpkin's darker hue to your advantage. Paint five-point stars in gold paint to mimic the night sky — or opt for glow-in-the-dark paint to really make the stars twinkle
Get the tutorial at PMQ for Two.
Punny Typography Pumpkins
Spell out a punny phrase (find inspo above) with contrasting stickers — black on white, white on black, you get the idea.
Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life.
Sequin Pumpkins
No paint required: One by one, adhere sequins with glue until they form a circle. Keep going until the pumpkin has just the right amount of sparkle and shine.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
Unicorn Pumpkins
Disguise the stem with a glittery pink horn to turn a basic white pumpkin into a magical unicorn.
Get the tutorial at As the Bunny Hops.
Fabric-Covered Pumpkins
Sometimes, subtle is best. Pick a linen fabric that complements the rest of your decor for an understated look.
Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.
Monstera Leaf Tropical Pumpkins
This one goes out to the plant lovers out there! These monstera leaf pumpkins are cute, fresh and will add some unexpected pops of color to your front porch.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Neon Sign Pumpkins
Using neon LED wire, you can make over a basic black pumpkin into a real conversation starter. You won't be able to miss it!
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Marbled Indigo Pumpkins
Here’s a tip: you don’t have to use Halloween colors to craft your pumpkin. You can actually go with a very stylish palette of indigo and white to make these marbled beauties.
Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.
Vintage Trailer Pumpkins
Cinderella would definitely approve of this vintage trailer pumpkin! It's guaranteed to catch everyone's eyes.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Sprinkle Pumpkins
Cricut machines come in handy for a lot of crafting projects, and this sprinkled pumpkin is no exception. It’ll take less than 15 minutes to make!
Get the tutorial at Hey, Let’s Make Stuff.
Colorful Painted Pumpkins
Group some of these hand-painted pumpkins together for instant charm. In kaleidoscopic hues, they’ll inspire instant joy among everyone in your neighborhood.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Glitter Pumpkins
Glitter, Mod Podge and acrylic paint will make your pumpkins shine — literally.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Classic Painted Pumpkins
For a bit more of a subtle look, paint pumpkins in a variety of neutral shades. Add bats, moons and other spooky staples in a darker hue to stay on theme.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Gold Leaf Pumpkins
Golden leaves are the perfect accent on an otherwise all-white pumpkin.
Get the tutorial at Sustain My Craft Habit.
Geometric Pumpkins
Pick out the brightest acrylic paint shades you can find to give pumpkins a mid-century makeover. The geometric details look oh-so-stylish, making them something that Betty Draper just might display.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Eyelash Pumpkins
Not a fan of the spooks and scares that the holiday brings? Then go with this super-sweet carved pumpkin, complete with dramatic eyelashes.
Get the tutorial at Hey Wanderer.
Flower Moon Pumpkins
To make a pumpkin that’s equal parts dramatic and stylish, get out the black paint and white faux florals. The crescent moon design makes it Halloween-ready.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Neon Stem Pumpkins
Who says that pumpkins have to be orange? In this case, they’re white with gold splatters, topped off with fluorescent stem.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Brushstroke Pumpkins
Even though these painted pumpkins look complicated to make, they can actually be crafted in a flash. All you have to do is grab a black or white faux pumpkin and dip your brush in white or metallic paint to make the cool brushstrokes. Easy-peasy!
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Black Floral pumpkins
To go (ever so slightly) toward the dark side this Halloween, pair black faux florals with a white pumpkin for a moody look.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Cute Face Pumpkins
The good news: You don’t have to be Picasso to paint these faces on your pumpkins! This tutorial will show you how, taking all your gourds from ho-hum to fabulous.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Galaxy Pumpkins
Have a space-obsessed kid in your family? They’ll get a thrill out of seeing this galaxy pumpkin on your front porch, constellations and all.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Geometric Glitter Pumpkins
For this project, you’ll simply paint your pumpkin a bright color, glitter up the stem and attach foam glitter stickers. Your littlest ones can even join in on the fun for this one.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Preserved Flower Pumpkins
These stunning pumpkins prove that Halloween can be incredibly chic. Just adhere some dried florals to your pumpkins, and voila!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Mini Playhouse Pumpkins
Transform a white snowball pumpkin into a teeny-tiny playhouse with some craft paint. Cut out a door and window, then light a tealight for a subtle glow.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Pop Art Pumpkins
Did Roy Lichtenstein make these pumpkins? Craft a few museum-worthy masterpieces of your own by following this tutorial.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Floral Vase Pumpkins
As it turns out, pumpkins make great flower vases. Push the flower theme even further by covering the pumpkin in floral paper.
Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.
Lightbox Quote Pumpkins
Vellum paper and a battery-operated candle make it look as if your pumpkin has turned into a lightbox. Be sure to come up with a short quote or phrase fit for the holiday.
Get the tutorial at Shrimp Salad Circus.
Painted Rainbow Pumpkins
Colorful rainbows make these pumpkins guaranteed happiness boosters. You don't need to stick to the traditional rainbow color scheme — mix in pastels, neons and darker hues for a welcome surprise.
Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life.
Gold Leaf Pumpkins
Gold leaf is surprisingly easy to apply, and faux pumpkins have a surface that’s ideal for it. The bright colors make the gold stand out even more.
Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.
Abstract Art Pumpkins
Fancy yourself an amateur artist? Then add some creative flair to your Halloween pumpkins.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
Glass Bead Pumpkins
A power drill and glass beads come together to make some of the most unique pumpkins we’ve ever seen. The candle will shine through the beads, making it just as pretty in daylight as it is at night.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Aztec Patterned Pumpkins
Yes, you can cover your pumpkins in fabric to punch them up, and this step-by-step will show you how.
Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.
Iridescent Marbled Pumpkins
Iridescent marbling is certainly a beautiful effect, and you can take it to your mini pumpkins. Put the pumpkins in a bowl or tall glass vase to really show them off.
Get the tutorial at Dans le Lakehouse.
Stitched Foam Pumpkins
Those foam pumpkins from the craft store can be easily stitched. Now that’s something you can’t do with real pumpkins!
Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.
Pyrex-Inspired Pumpkins
If you can’t get enough of your beloved Pyrex dishes, apply one of the brand’s beloved designs to your own pumpkin.
Get the tutorial at Dans le Lakehouse.
