IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

56 no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas that are better than the real deal

These jack-o'-lantern ideas will have the whole neighborhood saying "Oh my gourd!"

Carving a pumpkin in honor of Halloween is a rite of passage.

But, to be honest, cutting off the top, scooping out the insides, then turning a 10-pound gourd into a glowing masterpiece isn't exactly easy.

In fact, carving jack-o'-lanterns can be downright hard work and since Halloween is creeping up quickly (yep, pun intended) why not skip the mess and hassle and try a no-carve pumpkin instead?

Using these inspired creations as your guide, you can create one-of-a-kind showstoppers that are certain to stop trick-or-treaters in their tracks – or at the very least, give them pause before they ask you for more candy.

Make a whimsical popcorn-inspired pumpkin or go the elegant route and add gold leaf for a stylish look that's sure to impress everyone at your Halloween party.

And there are plenty more to choose from including disco ball pumpkins, a decoupage-decorated gourd and even a "Hocus Pocus" themed pumpkin that, again, doesn't require a knife, just a little time and ingenuity.

Although all of these pumpkins are sure to stand out on their own, you can also mix and match a few designs or create a whole scene to really make a statement.

Either way, consider your pumpkin a blank canvas. And you? Well, you're the artist. So, scroll on and clear a space on the front step because you're going to be witching, er, itching that is, to display this year's boo-tiful creation.

Disco ball pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Club Crafted

Halloween will be a showstopper with this disco pumpkin that'll have all the trick-or-treaters on the block getting their boogie on.

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.

String art pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Lovely Indeed

All you need for this ab fab creation is some string and a few nails and, voila, a masterpiece.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

Mini gourd faces

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Oh Yay Studio

Technically these aren't pumpkins but since they're still in the gourd family, we couldn't resist. Feel free to use the concept to make a jack-o'-lantern face on just about anything.

Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.

Temporary tattoo pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Club Crafted

Who says decorated pumpkins have to be scary? Made with temporary tattoos, these floral pumpkins make for a charming Halloween display.

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.

Say anything pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Studio DIY

Whatever you've got to say this Halloween, do it in style by creating one of these cute and punny pumpkins.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

Mickey's not-so-scary pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Brite and Bubbly

Mickey Mouse gets ghostly Halloween makeover with this inspired idea that cleverly uses mini pumpkins as ears.

Get the tutorial at Brite and Bubbly.

Decoupage pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Aww Sam

You'll feel like you're back in elementary school art class making these whimsical decoupage pumpkins that are simply stunning.

Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.

Easy marker pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Lovely Indeed

Grab a permanent marker or paint pen and the sky's the limit on what you can design. It's guaranteed to be one-of-a-kind.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

'Hocus Pocus' pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Brite and Bubbly

The Sanderson sisters never looked better than as these adorable (and easy) Halloween pumpkins. Witch way to the craft store?

Get the tutorial at Brite and Bubbly.

Sprinkled donut pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Studio DIY

These mini pumpkins all dressed up as cute-as-a-button donuts are sure to appeal to anyone with a sweet tooth.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

Popcorn pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Aww Sam

Settle in for a night of scary Halloween movies and, of course, don't forget the popcorn. This inspired no-carve pumpkin is the perfect "snack" to impress all your friends.

Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.

Nail head pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Lovely Indeed

Dare we say it? Yes we do. This no-carve pumpkin really, um, nails it. Get creative and use decorative nails to easily create any design you can imagine.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

Cactus pumpkin


No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Aww Sam

You don't need to live in the Southwest to appreciate the fun colors and spirited theme of this cactus pumpkin. Grab a margarita and get down to business.

Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.

Pineapple pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Studio DIY

Channel the tropics this year by turning your pumpkin into a pineapple. Think of it as a costume for your gourd. No one will recognize it. Trick or treat!

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

Disco ball pumpkin II

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Aww Sam

Glam out this year's gourd by turning it into a bona fide disco pumpkin. A few items from the craft store are all you need to get dowwwn.

Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.

Simple elegance pumpkin

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Lovely Indeed

Show off your style with this gold-leaf inspired pumpkin. It'll add a dash of elegance to your front step or Halloween party.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

Mermaid pumpkin

white pumpkin decorated as mermaid
Alice & Lois

Little mermaids can craft a crown out of gemstones, glittery starfish and sparkly accents — and parents can handle the rest.

Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.

Starry night pumpkin

black pumpkin with yellow and gold stars
PMQ for Two

Use the pumpkin's darker hue to your advantage. Paint five-point stars in gold paint to mimic the night sky — or opt for glow-in-the-dark paint to really make the stars twinkle

Get the tutorial at PMQ for Two.

Punny typography pumpkin

white pumpkin with black punny typography
A Bubbly Life

Spell out a punny phrase (find inspo above) with contrasting stickers — black on white, white on black, you get the idea.

Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life.

Sequin polka dot pumpkin

cream pumpkin with gold sequin polka dots
Sugar & Cloth

No paint required: One by one, adhere sequins with glue until they form a circle. Keep going until the pumpkin has just the right amount of sparkle and shine.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.

Unicorn pumpkin

cream pumpkin decorated to look like a unicorn
As the Bunny Hops

Disguise the stem with a glittery pink horn to turn a basic white pumpkin into a magical unicorn.

Get the tutorial at As the Bunny Hops.

Fabric-covered pumpkin

fabric covered pumpkins
Alice & Lois

Sometimes, subtle is best. Pick a linen fabric that complements the rest of your decor for an understated look.

Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.

Monstera leaf pumpkin

Club Crafted for Sarah Hearts

This one goes out to the plant lovers out there! These monstera leaf pumpkins are cute, fresh and will add some unexpected pops of color to your front porch.  

Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.

Neon sign pumpkin

A Kailo Chic Life

Using neon LED wire, you can make over a basic black pumpkin into a real conversation starter. You won't be able to miss it!

Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.

Marbled indigo pumpkin

Alice & Lois

Here’s a tip: you don’t have to use Halloween colors to craft your pumpkin. You can actually go with a very stylish palette of indigo and white to make these marbled beauties.

Get the tutorial at Alice & Lois.

Vintage trailer pumpkin

Club Crafted

Cinderella would definitely approve of this vintage trailer pumpkin! It's guaranteed to catch everyone's eyes.

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.

Sprinkle pumpkin

Hey, Let's Make Stuff

Cricut machines come in handy for a lot of crafting projects, and this sprinkled pumpkin is no exception. It’ll take less than 15 minutes to make! 

Get the tutorial at Hey, Let’s Make Stuff.

Colorful painted pumpkin

Jane Merritt for The House That Lars Built

Group some of these hand-painted pumpkins together for instant charm. In kaleidoscopic hues, they’ll inspire instant joy among everyone in your neighborhood.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Glitter pumpkin

Handmade Charlotte

Glitter, Mod Podge and acrylic paint will make your pumpkins shine — literally.

Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.

Classic painted pumpkin

A Beautiful Mess

For a bit more of a subtle look, paint pumpkins in a variety of neutral shades. Add bats, moons and other spooky staples in a darker hue to stay on theme.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

Gold leaf pumpkin

Sustain My Craft Habit

Golden leaves are the perfect accent on an otherwise all-white pumpkin.  

Get the tutorial at Sustain My Craft Habit.

Mid-century geometric pumpkin

A Kailo Chic Life

Pick out the brightest acrylic paint shades you can find to give pumpkins a mid-century makeover. The geometric details look oh-so-stylish, making them something that Betty Draper just might display.

Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.

Eyelash pumpkin

Hey Wanderer

Not a fan of the spooks and scares that the holiday brings? Then go with this super-sweet carved pumpkin, complete with dramatic eyelashes.

Get the tutorial at Hey Wanderer.

Crescent moon pumpkin

The Merrythought

To make a pumpkin that’s equal parts dramatic and stylish, get out the black paint and white faux florals. The crescent moon design makes it Halloween-ready. 

Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.

Neon stem pumpkin

A Kailo Chic Life

Who says that pumpkins have to be orange? In this case, they’re white with gold splatters, topped off with fluorescent stem. 

Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.

Gingham pumpkin

Club Crafted

Lean into your country roots by putting a few gingham pumpkins on your porch. Opt for brighter hues, like bold yellows, teals and pinks, for modern flair.

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.

Brushstroke pumpkin

The Merrythought

Even though these painted pumpkins look complicated to make, they can actually be crafted in a flash. All you have to do is grab a black or white faux pumpkin and dip your brush in white or metallic paint to make the cool brushstrokes. Easy-peasy! 

Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.

Black floral pumpkin

Design Improvised

To go (ever so slightly) toward the dark side this Halloween, pair black faux florals with a white pumpkin for a moody look. 

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

Cute face pumpkin

The House That Lars Built

The good news: You don’t have to be Picasso to paint these faces on your pumpkins! This tutorial will show you how, taking all your gourds from ho-hum to fabulous.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Galaxy pumpkin

Dream a Little Bigger

Have a space-obsessed kid in your family? They’ll get a thrill out of seeing this galaxy pumpkin on your front porch, constellations and all.

Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.

Geometric glitter pumpkin

Design Improvised

For this project, you’ll simply paint your pumpkin a bright color, glitter up the stem and attach foam glitter stickers. Your littlest ones can even join in on the fun for this one. 

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

Preserved flower pumpkin

Jane Merritt for The House That Lars Built

These stunning pumpkins prove that Halloween can be incredibly chic. Just adhere some dried florals to your pumpkins, and voila!

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Painted fingerprint pumpkin

Handmade Charlotte

Let your kids turn their thumbprints into ghosts, eyeballs, skulls and other Halloween favorites.

Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.

Mini playhouse pumpkin

A Beautiful Mess

Transform a white snowball pumpkin into a teeny-tiny playhouse with some craft paint. Cut out a door and window, then light a tealight for a subtle glow.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

Pop art pumpkin

Dream a Little Bigger

Did Roy Lichtenstein make these pumpkins? Make a few masterpieces of your own by following this tutorial.

Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.

Rainbow pumpkin

The House That Lars Built

Bring the color to your front stoop. It's simple, really: Just get out all the paint colors you have and keep painting until you run out of pumpkins.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.

Floral vase pumpkin

The Pretty Life Girls

As it turns out, pumpkins make great flower vases. Push the flower theme even further by covering the pumpkin in floral paper.

Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.

Lightbox quote pumpkin

Shrimp Salad Circus

Vellum paper and a battery-operated candle make it look as if your pumpkin has turned into a lightbox. Be sure to come up with a short quote or phrase fit for the holiday.

Get the tutorial at Shrimp Salad Circus.

Painted rainbow pumpkin

A Bubbly Life

Colorful rainbows make these pumpkins guaranteed happiness boosters. You don't need to stick to the traditional rainbow color scheme — mix in pastels, neons and darker hues for a welcome surprise.

Get the tutorial at A Bubbly Life.

Gold leaf pumpkin

The Pretty Life Girls

Gold leaf is surprisingly easy to apply, and faux pumpkins have a surface that’s ideal for it. The bright colors make the gold stand out even more. 

Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.

Abstract art pumpkin

A Kailo Chic Life

Fancy yourself an amateur artist? Then add some creative flair to your Halloween pumpkins.

Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.

Glass bead pumpkin

A Beautiful Mess

A power drill and glass beads come together to make some of the most unique pumpkins we’ve ever seen. The candle will shine through the beads, making it just as pretty in daylight as it is at night.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

Aztec patterned pumpkin

The Pretty Life Girls

Yes, you can cover your pumpkins in fabric to punch them up, and this step-by-step will show you how. 

Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.

Iridescent marbled pumpkin

Dans le Lakehouse

Iridescent marbling is certainly a beautiful effect, and you can take it to your mini pumpkins. Put the pumpkins in a bowl or tall glass vase to really show them off.

Get the tutorial at Dans le Lakehouse.

Stitched foam pumpkin

The Pretty Life Girls

Those foam pumpkins from the craft store can be easily stitched. Now that’s something you can’t do with real pumpkins! 

Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.

Pyrex-inspired pumpkin

Dans le Lakehouse

If you can’t get enough of your beloved Pyrex dishes, apply one of the brand’s beloved designs to your own pumpkin. 

Get the tutorial at Dans le Lakehouse.