16 Pumpkin Decorating Ideas

With Halloween around the corner, it’s time to get your pumpkin decoration game on. Here are 16 pumpkin decorating ideas that will take you beyond a basic jack o’ lantern—no carving required!

Whether you prefer a traditional look for Halloween or a more modern take on the holiday, there’s something for everyone on this list. All you’ll need is acrylic paint, some paintbrushes and a little inspiration. (Pro tip: to extend the shelf life of a painted pumpkin, consider coating it with varnish before you begin painting.)

1. Cool Blues

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ_LUOlhHz5

2. Black and White

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ-WqZZAmja/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

3. Pretty Neutrals

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJv2bEBANYe/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

4. Frankenstein & Ghost Gourds

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJSvmxChuUZ/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

5. Fancy Skull

https://www.instagram.com/p/BI51lHRAcNo/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

6. Color Explosion

https://www.instagram.com/p/BB7Cr_UIsex/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

7. Emoticon

https://www.instagram.com/p/-g7tN6ykDC/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

8. Doughnut

https://www.instagram.com/p/BLHa5tEA0ed/?tagged=paintedpumpkin

9. Leaf Prints

https://www.instagram.com/p/-FEvcsmAyK/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

10. Teenage Mutant Ninja Pumpkin

https://www.instagram.com/p/9y9lGXB5pf/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

11. Peanuts Gourds

https://www.instagram.com/p/9uBEBnLqvf/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

12. Papa Smurf

https://www.instagram.com/p/9m0U0HN0GU/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

13. Sparkles

https://www.instagram.com/p/BK5mlOZDORw/?tagged=paintedpumpkin

14. Henna-Inspired

https://www.instagram.com/p/9kZcfXBYVg/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

15. Rainbow Colors

https://www.instagram.com/p/9jk37nlH4M/?tagged=pumpkinpainting

16. Boo!

https://www.instagram.com/p/9jaGQMOCGF/?tagged=pumpkinpainting