Holidays & Occasions Fall 21 Creative Pumpkin Decorating Ideas For Your Front Porch By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on September 29, 2021 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Laurey W. Glenn Nothing can spruce up a Southern porch in the fall quite like pumpkins. We look forward to unloading the annual haul from the pumpkin patch, knowing well that we'll be picking up a few more here and there. We love pumpkins of all colors, whether bright orange, crisp white, or lovely green; we love short and squat pumpkins, tall and skinny pumpkins, bumpy and warty pumpkins, smooth and perfect pumpkins, mini pumpkins, giant pumpkins, and every pumpkin in between. When it's time to decorate the ins and outs of your home for autumn, these creative pumpkin decorating ideas will make your front porch look festive and positively full of fall. 01 of 21 Graceful Garland Ralph Anderson A simple pine garland adds elegance to this fall display. And don't forget the pumpkins! Designer Heather Barrie from Gathering Floral + Event Design started with a nagi garland, which you can buy from a florist, and then wired in coontie palm and holly fern fronds as well as crookneck gourds. Pedestal urns planted with crotons allow room below for pumpkins. This colorful houseplant is ideal for outdoor use where frost comes late. For an unexpected flourish, set pumpkins atop holly fern fronds and tuck in sprigs of yaupon holly berries. 02 of 21 Mumkins Hector Sanchez Fall mums and fall pumpkins, combined into one stunning seasonal display? Catch us carving our pumpkins into DIY planters ASAP. 03 of 21 Modern Farm Helen Norman; Styling: James Cramer Sleek, black accessories add a modern spin on some very classic materials. Narrow zinc planters filled with both dried and fresh miscanthus foliage add height to the front door. Create a container focal point by tucking in pots of 'Wasabi' coleus and chartreuse sweet potato vines. Moonlight-hued pumpkins and gourds amp up the glow. 04 of 21 Lush Stairs Helen Norman This front porch pairs pumpkins and bountiful cabbage for a gorgeous welcome—and an inspiring spot for porch sitting. 05 of 21 Blooming Pumpkin Jim Franco Forget the drab clay pot: This pumpkin pot shows off your blooms in seasonal style. 06 of 21 Short and Stout Hector Manuel Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller A short set of stairs is the perfect place for an abundance of pumpkins. Mix in pots of seasonal flowers and a colorful wreath to complete the inviting look. 07 of 21 Pumpkin Votive Float Laurey W. Glenn; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller Miniature pumpkins and tea candles come together to create this stunning votive display that'll impress the neighbors. 08 of 21 Pumpkin Containers Helen Norman; Styling: P. Allen Smith Wire urns set atop pedestals filled with pie pumpkins make for an easy accent piece on each side of your front door. Combinations of annuals, potted boxwoods, and heirloom pumpkins organize a lot of materials while achieving balance. 09 of 21 Creative Carving Laurey W. Glenn We love the mix of natural, uncarved pumpkins and intricately carved pumpkins with polka dots and scallop hems—it makes for a perfect balance! 10 of 21 DIY Gourd Wreath Helen Norman Hang a wreath to celebrate the fall season. This miniature pumpkin and gourd wreath can be your seasonal DIY project. 11 of 21 Incorporate White Pumpkins Laurey W. Glenn White pumpkins add an unexpected and elegant twist up the steps and on the front door. To make the wreath, start with a store-bought grapevine wreath. Pick an odd number of white mini pumpkins. Attach pumpkins to florist picks, and then work the picks into the wreath, making sure to space them evenly. Secure pumpkins to the wreath with wire. Using additional florist picks, attach seasonal greenery (we used smilax) and bittersweet (available at your local garden center), filling in the spaces between pumpkins. Add an assortment of fall leaves to wreath with picks and wire for a colorful finish. 12 of 21 Right at Home Helen Norman Find a nice large pumpkin to carve (or paint!) your house numbers on. Then, mix-and-match pumpkins to recreate the excitement of a trip to the pumpkin patch, right on your front steps. 13 of 21 Line Your Path Southern Living Vary pumpkins and glass jars down your walkway and light them at night for a gracious welcome to your front door. These pumpkins are carved out from the bottom for easy placement over votives. 14 of 21 Line Your Steps Helen Norman There's a reason you see mums each fall—they work. Add an assortment of potted mums and various sized pumpkins up your front steps for a warm welcome. 15 of 21 Pumpkin Candle Holders Laurey W. Glenn If you love the look of hurricanes lining a front path, put an autumn spin on them by using oversize heirloom pumpkins in various shades of orange and green as bases—perfect for welcoming guests to a fall-themed party. 16 of 21 Pumpkin Topiaries Helen Norman Vertical displays make a big statement at the front door. Tucking in cool-weather edibles such as ornamental flowering cabbages, kale, and bay leaves adds a distinctive twist. To create topiaries, sandwich bay wreaths between pumpkins stacked in concrete urns, and top with a small pumpkin. Finish your door with a bittersweet wreath. Be careful to dispose of seedheads in the garbage rather than the compost bin, as bittersweet is invasive in the garden. For a similar look, use rose hips, which are more eco-friendly. 17 of 21 Pumpkin Patch Loving Helen Norman; Styling: P. Allen Smith A variety of pumpkins in varying sizes and shapes are placed around this expansive porch. Hay Bales stand in for standard topiaries—giving height to the arrangement. 18 of 21 Metallic Patterned Pumpkins Southern Living Get as creative as you want with these gold and black painted pumpkins. Vary not only the size and shape, but the pattens as well. 19 of 21 Get Spooky Southern Living A full pumpkin wreath is hung with long black ribbon. When Halloween gets closer, add some more black ribbon and a giant spider to your front porch columns. 20 of 21 Rustic Stacks A mix of uniquely colored pumpkins and a grouping of stools makes for a rustic display at the front of the house. A few fall leaves and cabbages complete the look. 21 of 21 Well Lit Front Door Southern Living Faux pumpkins are the way to go with this bright topiary. Carve out holes at the top and bottom of the two lower pumpkins and fill with string lights. Once stacked and secured, place on top of your favorite container and fill in with fake leaves. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit