Decorating with Pumpkins

Thomas J. Story

Fall decorating with pumpkins

Reds and oranges

Here, red-orange pumpkins mingle with glory lilies, pomegranates, red winter berries, and ― most surprisingly ― golden and cherry tomatoes.

Thomas J. Story

Neutrals

The sculptural quality of white pumpkins really pops against wood paneling. White anemones and an assortment of seedpods, leaves, and acorns in a medley of browns complement them here. Try propping some pumpkins vertically for added height and texture.

Thomas J. Story

Yellows and golds

Striped yellow pumpkins lend a lighthearted twist to the traditional fall palette. Combine them with yellow Iceland poppies, kumquats, and grapefruits in a sunlit space; leave citrus leaves and twisted pumpkin stems intact for a just-picked feel.

Thomas J. Story

Mixed greens

Miniature striped green-and-yellow pumpkins join a trio of copper vases and a casual arrangement of red, orange, and yellow flowers. It's all about fall color ― without a maple leaf or corncob in sight.

Thomas J. Story

Pale greens and whites

No need to fall back on clichés. These two luminous, deeply ribbed pumpkins, paired with crystal wine decanters and a collection of fall seedpods, create a fresh modernist tableau.

Thomas J. Story

Color them natural

All pumpkins have south-of-the-border roots. It's no surprise their most subtle orange tints team up perfectly with the silvery green of succulents to create a western feel. Vivid orange orchids add an original splash of fall color.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Simple and natural

When the seasonal bounty is this gorgeous, it's best to leave well enough alone.

That's the thinking behind these casual arrangements of pumpkins and squash in their fresh-from-the-vine state, assembled in minutes at the Apple Farm in Philo, California. Mixed with leaves, berries, and fruits clipped from the garden (or readily available at florists and grocery stores), plump pumpkins and winter squash dress up a porch or patio table.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Garden harvest

A weathered wood farm table provides the perfect backdrop for this grouping. Some tips:

Add height A terra-cotta bowl forms the base, elevating a mound of persimmons above the rest of the arrangement.

Contrast shapes Persimmon leaves and branches jut out at various angles, breaking up the roundness of the fruit.

Contrast color Creamy acorn squash provides the finishing touch.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Pumpkin tabletop

Position your arrangement at one corner of the table for a more casual look. Some tips:

Create a base Start with a trio of standard pumpkins (odd numbers create a more pleasing display).

Play with texture and scale A miniature 'Munchkin' pumpkin at one end provides visual contrast. Two kinds of rose hips resemble miniature pumpkins.

Tuck in fringe Birch twigs with leaves attached surround the central display.

Christina Schmidhofer

More fall color tips

Pick one color from your home's exterior ― such as the porch, trim, or brick pavers ― and let it set the palette for the decor you choose. With all of the vibrant colors and textures of fall, a warm and inviting entry couldn't be easier to create.

Cool harvest greens For this entry, yellow and green gourds and squash fill honey-colored baskets and sit among bluish gray pumpkins. A spray of wisteria leaves embellishes the front door; yellow and green oak leaves on branches fan out from a bucket just to the right of the front door.

Christina Schmidhofer

Twilight white with silver

As the sun sets, white pumpkins and potted white violas capture the fading daylight as no color can. Terra-cotta pots are painted silvery gray to match the porch.

Christina Schmidhofer

Moody purples with lime

Pots in different shades of green set the stage for this composition. Purple-flowered Johnny-jump-ups fill three of them; the fourth one holds coleus, whose chartreuse leaves are veined with dark purple.

All make ideal partners for light-colored pumpkins. Coleus are best in warm climates and need to be brought indoors before the first frost.

Christina Schmidhofer

Rust and orange

Plump orange pumpkins are clustered on brick steps along with a scattering of reddish liquidambar leaves. Branches of bittersweet holding red and yellow berries fill the rust-colored buckets behind.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Squash for decorating

Clockwise from top left: 'New England Pie' pumpkin; 'Lumina' pumpkin; 'Table Ace' acorn squash; 'Lil' Pump-ke-Mon' mini pumpkin

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Squash for decorating

Clockwise from left: Butternut squash; 'Mini Green Hubbard'' squash; 'Rouge Vif d'Etampes' pumpkin

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Squash for decorating

From left: 'Swan White' acorn squash; 'Mystic Plus' pumpkin

13 easy pumpkin arrangements

Fall decorating with pumpkins

Neutrals

Yellows and golds

Mixed greens

Pale greens and whites

Color them natural

Simple and natural

Garden harvest

Pumpkin tabletop

More fall color tips

Twilight white with silver

Moody purples with lime

Rust and orange

Squash for decorating

Squash for decorating

Squash for decorating