As if the countless number of Trader Joe’s pumpkin spice products wasn’t indication enough, pumpkin season is officially here, y’all. Like always, we ushered in fall with warm (read: HOT) temperatures, but hostesses and home decor enthusiasts region-wide have been scheming their fall decor despite the sweat. What item reigns at the top of fall decorating lists? Pumpkins, of course. Carved pumpkins have long been a Halloween decor staple, but there is so much more you can do with a pumpkin besides turning it into a jack-o-lantern. By gathering a variety of pumpkins and smartly placing them throughout the interior and exterior of your home, you’ll be left with fall decor that will carry you from now through Thanksgiving. Today we’re dishing the details on pumpkin decor, where to find the best selection, and how to achieve that perfect pumpkin stack.
5 Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Decor
1. Enjoy the bounty of fall.
Autumn is full of rich, deep colors like rust, amber, persimmon and butterscotch, and since all of these colors are found organically in nature, they play well together for decor. There’s no need to stress about putting different colored pumpkins together; feel free to pair shades of orange together as readily as you would sticking strictly with white. Likewise, don’t forget to think beyond pumpkins too. Gourds, apples, bittersweet, corn stalks, hay bales and Indian corn can all be incorporated with your pumpkins to create different textures and scale. A hay bale, for example, is a smart way to add texture and height to your pumpkin-filled porch, while corn stalks can frame your front door. It’s all about playing with variety, getting in the fall spirit, and having fun.
2. Create a lasting impression versus a brief seasonal change.
Think about decor that you can easily add to as the season progresses. As we near Halloween, supplementing a carved pumpkin or two into your porch decor will only enhance what is already there. The same goes for a fall wreath for your front door. You can add a spooky, festive bow for October, and easily remove it once the 31st passes. Kim Wilson of Lucy’s Market wisely advises selecting pumpkins that will last all season and well beyond Halloween, too. Certain pumpkin varieties will turn from a soft peach to a shade of caramel brown. “They’ll be brown around the time of Thanksgiving and will make beautiful centerpieces,” she says. “Bring them inside, put them with some Indian corn or some smaller pumpkins, and you’re done.” Another tip? Don’t be afraid of faux. While nothing beats a real pumpkin, there are a lot of fantastic faux options on the market. We like incorporating faux pumpkins into interior decor, especially around a fireplace. Plus, they have the added benefit of being used year after year.
3. Build the perfect pumpkin stack.
We’ve all been to the pumpkin patch dreaming of finding those three or four pumpkins that we can beautifully stack Martha Stewart-style. Kim says there’s a method to the stacking system. “You have to get pumpkins that are flat and that can be stackable,” she says. “It takes a little bit of time, too; you can’t just throw three pumpkins together.” Look for pumpkins in different circumferences with short, or better yet, without stems. If you’re not quite confident in your own stacking skills, the staff at Lucy’s Market is happy to help you style a stack, regardless of budget.
4. Fill containers with petite pumpkins, gourds and corn.
Then, use them as table centerpieces, mantle accents or as festive creations on countertops. Word to the wise: try to incorporate as much versatility with the pumpkins and as many different combinations as you can. We’re big fans of using pumpkins as place cards or adding them to lanterns or hurricane vases. While it might seem like you’re spending a lot on pumpkins, you’ll be surprised at their affordability. “Pumpkins are such a great value because they last. I am a flower lover, but with pumpkins, you can create a centerpiece that will last you for a month,” Kim explains.
5. Find the best selection near you.
We love Lucy’s Market for their wide variety of pumpkins in different shapes, sizes and colors. Pike Nurseries, with multiple locations around the city, is another one of our go-to spots for pumpkins. If you want a pumpkin patch experience and are willing to take an OTP day trip, we recommend both Scottsdale Farms and Jaemor Farms. Of course, there’s nothing like a day at Burt’s in Dawsonville either. Regardless of where you pick your pumpkins, the key to enjoying them throughout the season is to act fast. By Halloween, pumpkins will be few and far between, so if you truly want pumpkins that will last from now through Thanksgiving, our advice is to snap them up sooner rather than later.
When the last pumpkin is added to the porch and the final pumpkin placecard set on the table, Kim says, it comes down to creating memories for your family. “That’s what it’s about. Being in the spirit and having fun.” We couldn’t agree more.
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