As soon as we feel the first hint of cooler air, we grab a pumpkin spice latte and dig out our snuggly, warm sweaters. Fall is here! After a long, hot summer, we live for the relief of cooler fall days. 

Even if the climate in your hometown lacks the cool air and colorful foliage fall brings, we can still celebrate the season‘s arrival. Decorate your home with the abundance of a fall harvest using pumpkins and gourds. For more than a ho-hum presentation, follow our suggestions, and get creative with your fall decorating. 

1. Pumpkins and Gourds as Candle Holders

Bring on the colors of autumn with a cute display of pumpkins and gourds on your dining table. With Halloween and Thanksgiving both quickly approaching, this centerpiece will enhance your fall experience until winter. It’s simple with these easy-to-follow directions. 

Choose your pumpkins and gourds in a variety of shapes and colors. We like using the small pumpkins readily available now at your grocery store. Wash the pumpkins and cut the stems close to the base. 

Trace the base of the candle on the top of the gourd. We like to use votives or even artificial tea lights. If you are using a larger gourd, use a larger size candle if you like. Long, elegant tapers look great too. 

The easiest way to drill or cut the hole is by using a paddle drill bit. Drill the hole about 2 inches deep. If you do not have a drill, a knife and spoon will do to scoop out the hole. Once the hole is finished, insert the candle. Use artificial or dry flowers and leaves to complete the look. 

2. Pumpkins & Gourds Make a Great First Impression

Adorn the entryway to your home with the bounty of a fall harvest using pumpkins, other seasonal vegetables, and flowers. Placed along the entry steps or arranged on hay bales in the yard, pumpkins display the simple charm of fall at its best. Add a pot of colorful mums to really make your display pop. 

With all the color choices of pumpkins and gourds available, it’s easy to select a few for your fall decorating needs. Whether you want a rustic, country-style complete with an orange pumpkin and a scarecrow, or an elegant white “Casper” pumpkin theme, the abundance of fall makes it easy to choose. 

For a new twist on a traditional autumn wreath, try placing small orange pumpkins in the center of a coil of grapevine. Tie it to the door with a large orange bow. The appeal of pumpkins brings a smile to the face of any visitor. 

3. Pumpkins & Gourds as Flower Vases

We love using pumpkins and gourds as fall flower vases. Whether you making a centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table or adorning your front porch or mantel, it’s easy to make a good impression. Release your inner Martha Stewart with this easy fall decorating hack. 

With so many colors and varieties of gourds and pumpkins, you can easily find one that will double-duty as a flower vase. Before purchasing your gourd, consider the desired height of your vase. Tall butternut squash, for example, is a good choice for long-stemmed blooms while a squat acorn squash is a better fit for a low profile arrangement.  

Use your knife to cut around the stem to make a wide hole. If your gourd is unable to stand up straight, use a paring knife to level the bottom. Next, hollow out your gourd with a spoon. Pumpkin seeds make a delicious and nutritious snack. Save those seeds to roast later.

While you can add water directly to your pumpkin or gourd, we like to insert a glass. Vases, water glasses, or shot glasses are perfect for this step. Now, the fun part, add your flowers. Start with the flower that will be the focal point of the arrangement. Continue to add flowers until the arrangement feels complete. 

Just like a carved pumpkin, a cut gourd will rot more quickly than an uncut one. We suggest creating your gourd vase the night before your dinner. When kept cool and out of direct sunlight, your gourd or pumpkin vase should last for a few days. 

4. Pumpkins & Gourds as Part of Your Autumn Table

Pumpkins make a delightful autumn table centerpiece. Display a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Accent the centerpiece with fragrant candles in warm fall colors. The soft luminescence of the candles enhances the colorful display.

When you decorate for Halloween, Thanksgiving, or any autumn occasion, pumpkins, gourds, squash, colorful corn, mums, and so much more add a natural touch to your home decor. Let your creative juices flow as you create your own unique fall presentation. 

Pumpkins, gourds, and squashes don’t just make delicious seasonal dishes – their natural beauty enhances any fall tablescape. Add in some fall foliage, colorful corn, or colorful mums to dress your table. Or break from the ordinary with white Casper pumpkins for an elegant take on autumn. 

5. Pumpkins & Gourds As Decorations on The Stairs

Display your best vibrantly colored pumpkins and gourds in areas with a lot of foot traffic. Be careful to not obstruct the walkway! You can simply gather an assortment of pumpkins at the foot of the staircase. Or you can add seasonal flair to your staircase with a collection of pumpkins lining the way. 

Let your fall decorating flow with eucalyptus leaves, white pumpkins, or other unexpected findings. Mixing fresh with faux pumpkins keeps the cost down and lets the display last even longer. Even if your weather stays more summer-like, you’ll enjoy fall with your beautifully decorated home. 

Fall Decorating At Its Best

Bringing the warmth of fall into your home is easy with these decorating ideas. These are just a few of the ways you can use pumpkins and gourds in a tasteful yet festive fall display. Pumpkins, gourds, pinecones, and mums are just a few of the inspirations of autumn readily available at this time for fall decorating. 

Mix these elements together across your mantle or stairs, table centerpiece, or front porch for a simple, budget-friendly seasonal decoration. For more decorating tips, be sure to see Lifestyle Dash home decor articles such as this one on decorating with rose gold.