Carving pumpkins, while fun and all, often results in a sticky mess. And sure, sometimes it's worth it — especially when the finished product turns out exactly how you'd hoped. But sometimes, it's more of a headache (and, well, a danger) than anything else.
This Halloween, skip the mess and try one of these no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas instead. With glitter, paint, stickers, faux flowers and other embellishments, you can take any ol' pumpkin — real or fake — from ordinary to extraordinary.
Pumpkins are a blank canvas, so let your imagination (and the creative ideas below) guide you. There's something for every style and skill level: Create a funny face to welcome trick-or-treaters, paint a minimalistic design that matches the rest of your outdoor decorations, spell out a Halloween greeting with stickers and so much more.
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.
From sequin-covered gourds to marbled minis, we've got tons of pumpkin decorating ideas that are relatively quick, easy and, dare we say, prize-worthy. Best of all: If you're looking for some Halloween crafts to keep your kids busy, most of these simple — and safe — ideas fit the bill.
Mermaid pumpkin
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Glitter, Mod Podge and acrylic paint will make your pumpkins shine — literally.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Classic painted pumpkin
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
Golden leaves are the perfect accent on an otherwise all-white pumpkin.
Get the tutorial at Sustain My Craft Habit.
Mid-century geometric pumpkin
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
Let your kids turn their thumbprints into ghosts, eyeballs, skulls and other Halloween favorites.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Mini playhouse pumpkin
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
If you can’t get enough of your beloved Pyrex dishes, apply one of the brand’s beloved designs to your own pumpkin.