8 Refreshing Pumpkin Decorating Ideas That Don’t Require Any Carving

By Anne Vorrasi
Updated Oct 06, 2015 @ 4:30 pm
Credit: Proper

We don’t know about you, but each year when we put our pumpkin carving skills to the test, the results are never as satisfying as imagined—it’s a tricky skill to master! That’s why for this Halloween, we're adopting the no-carving approach and trading in our carving kit—and the box of band-aids that never fail to make an appearance—for a toolbox of our favorite childhood craft supplies like puffy paint, glitter and construction paper. The best part? Getting to keep these beauties around even after All Hallow’s Eve.

RELATED: Find Your Perfect Halloween Costume with These 19 Ideas Inspired by Hair Length

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Emoji Pumpkins

Credit: Brit + Co

Emoji’s deserve a spot on your front porch as much as they do on your smartphone screen. Head over to Brit + Co for the full how-to to create these adorable expressions.

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Glitter pumpkin

Credit: Linda Pugliese

We can see these super chic gourds from Sweet Paul sitting on our mantel all year long. Have fun and play with different colored glitters. Any shade will pop against the matte black paint. Click here for the full turtorial.

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Chalkboard pumpkins

Credit: Don Penny; Styling: Vanessa Boer

The beauty of these chalkboard-painted options from our friends at Real Simple is that you can change the graphics on them as much as you want. You can even use them to write out the menu at your Halloween fête. Click here for the full how to.

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Botanical Pumpkins

Credit: Terrain

Nature meets Mod-Podge with these decoupaged gourds from Terrain. The trick to making them look super modern? Use white pumpkins as the base. Find the step-by-step here.

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Color blocked pumpkin

Credit: Illi style

Color block your way to Halloween with these eclectic ones. You can go for a fluorescent mix like April Liewer of IlliStyle does here, or pick your own color combos that match your decor.

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Puffy Paint Pumpkins

Credit: Mandi Johnson

With a bottle of puffy paint, the options are endless: draw a graphic image, a short word or phrase, or a lovely lace detail like the one that Mandi Johnson from Blog Lovin does here.

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Pineapple Pumpkin

Credit: Studio DIY

Humans shouldn't be the only ones playing dress up this Halloween. Here, Kelly Mindell of Studio DIY dresses up a skinny pumpkin into an adorable pineapple. Find the step-by-step instructions here.  

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Marbled Pumpkin

Credit: Proper

How stunning are these? We might have to take this marbling tutorial from the ladies at the Proper Blog and apply it to ... everything! Click here for the full how to.

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By Anne Vorrasi