Drive around almost any neighborhood during October and count how many pumpkins you see. Chances are you'll find plenty. That's because this round gourd is a seasonal must-have and a favorite choice for front yard fall decorating. The following three fall decorating ideas take advantage of outdoor decor already in place making a new look easy to achieve.
The ideas were developed with classic orange pumpkins in mind, but experiment with elegant white or unexpected green for different looks. If you keep the pumpkins uncarved for the days leading up to Halloween, the front yard displays will last throughout the month.
Sidewalk Pumpkin Displays
Give your home autumn style starting at the street and going up the front walk. This doesn't require tranforming the yard into a mini pumpkin patch, just a few well-placed pumpkins. Here are three suggestions on where to put the arrangements for maximum impact.
- Surround the mailbox post with three or four medium-sized pumpkins.
- Create a pumpkin pyramid in a spot next to the walkway using different shapes and sizes for an interesting look.
- If you already have flowerbeds containing mums or other seasonal flowers, situate several pumpkins between the plants.
Create Fall Window Boxes
Of course, seasonal flowers look beautiful planted outside your windows for pops of fall color. However, for a special treat this year, fill them with pumpkins instead. If the boxes are decorative with open areas, first make a bottom layer of hay or twigs for seasonal texture. Otherwise, this idea is as simple as buying the pumpkins, no planting involved. Place gourds of similar sizes in one row, or choose a few small ones to surround a larger pumpkin in the center.
Put Pumpkins in Planters
Outdoor planters and urns provide the perfect spot for festive pumpkin displays. How you use them depends on the look you're after - simple statement or bold style. First, decide if you want to use just pumpkins in the display. If you want to mix in other things, limit them to natural elements found during the fall. A layer of dried leaves or grass at the base of these pumpkin displays adds a textural touch.
- Frame the front door by placing a single large pumpkin in basic planters on each side.
- For a dramatic entrance, play a trick on traditional topiaries. Stack three pumpkins in a pedestal urn with the largest on bottom and smallest on top.
Karen Perkins - Karen Perkins is a freelance writer focusing on decorating, entertaining and crafting. A background in interior design combined with a ...
