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Spruce up your fall entry decor with this super simple pumpkin arrangement using fresh or faux elements, and do it in under 20 minutes!
As you all know, I believe that simple is best. It’s easy to forget small spaces when it comes to seasonal decor, but just a few touches can make all the difference. Our little entry was looking tired and neglected. Nothing had changed for months, and even though I walk by the space a dozen times a day, I hadn’t added any fall decor. So to remedy the situation, and in no time at all, I put together this pumpkin arrangement that will last until I’m ready to decorate for Christmas!
What You Need
I gathered my favorite neutral bowl, a pre-made faux eucalyptus wreath, and a variety of real mini pumpkins. Now I’m going to share a trick I use regularly when making any sort of flower arrangement or centerpiece. In order for the pumpkins to mound nicely above the rim of the bowl, I added a “riser,” in the form of an upside-down soup bowl. Risers can be just about anything you can rustle up from your kitchen. Plates, bowls, cups, or plastic containers work well. Another idea is to look in your pantry. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used a cake mix box or a can of soup as a riser in an arrangement!
The Riser Trick
Risers solve many problems. First, they take up the negative space so you don’t have to fill up your entire vessel. Without the riser, I would have needed to use twice as many pumpkins. Second, a riser provides a sturdy base, and makes positioning your various items so much easier. One of my favorite tips is for large porch planters: to take up the negative space, place a smaller planter upside-down inside your big planter. It saves on potting soil, and your planter won’t be quite so heavy.
Next, the wreath was added, and the handy riser lifted it up just enough so the greenery spilled over the edges of the bowl. Using a pre-made wreath for this project was a huge time-saver. Another plus to using a pre-made wreath is that because the greenery is all connected, none of it will pop out of the bowl, or move around. As you place the pumpkins, it all stays put.
Last, I placed a few larger, but still mini, pumpkins in the center of the wreath, and then tucked some smaller ones in around the outside edge of the wreath. The end result is an arrangement that adds just the right amount of autumn charm, and it will last for weeks.
Make sure to preserve your real pumpkins and gourds so they don’t mold and turn rotten. Click HERE to learn how.
The Autumn Market
A collection of wonderful
fall decor items,
curated especially for you.
The Ultimate Guide To
Celebrating Fall
A collection of 100 autumn decor ideas, fun crafts, fall wreaths, and yummy recipes all in one place. It’s the ultimate guide to fall, and provides easy links to find exactly what you are looking for!.
Hi Ann
I have made so many of your recipes and every single one has been delicious. Thank you for sharing.
Karen
I love simple too! And the tip for the bowl or cup upside down for the “spacer” was wonderful! I really like the entry bowl of pumpkins and eucalyptus.
Thanks for the great ideas! Love the info on risers!!
Love your “simple is more” style, Ann!
Ann, love your style, simple is best! Am wondering where you got your entry ceiling light? Am looking for a new light for our entry, haven’t found just the right one yet.
I added it to the shopping guide at the end of the post!
Love the rug at your entry, pillow and the bowl with the pumpkins.I have 2 of the same lanterns in my home.Always keeping it simple.
I’ve used your tip on how to extend the life of pumpkins/gourds every year I buy fresh, and it works great. Thank you for decor tips that are reasonably priced! I always see beautiful ideas posted by others, but I cannot justify the cost. I’m self-employed and haven’t worked on a regular basis for two years.
I love your arrangement and that wreath is just perfect to make it easy and pretty!! Love the rug too… :-)
Morning Ann! What is that lovely color paint you have in your foyer? Just love blue and it is such a pretty color. Posted October 2021.
I am a subscriber to your blog and even though I’m a rare poster, I want to tell you how much I do enjoy your thoughts and ideas. I was moved to post today because, after my daily browse of pinterest, your post from Dec. 2015 on “doable” front porch decor caught me. I needed your words and your ideas. I have been feeling defeated looking at all the Perfect pics and knowing that this year, it will have to be nothing fancy. I live in Louisiana and the flood is still affecting us and it will, I’m sure, for a long time. I will not let comparison steal my joy :) With your ideas, I feel relieved and excited about getting ready for Christmas 2017. Thank you.
I think (SImple) is always best!
All very pretty –
Beautiful! I love green flowers because they go with & compliment all other flowers. And, they’re also lovely on their own. Hydrangeas turn all sorts of colors at this time of year – so fun for decorating.
Love the beautiful simplicity of your entry…Your limelights are beautiful Ann….I have limelights for the first time this year…they produced small blooms, so need to find out what I need to do for a larger bloom next year…
I absolutely adore that you make simple so beautiful. I’m tempted to keep adding decor, and when I do,I usually feel dissatisfied. Simple decor makes me feel more calm and serene, if that is possible, but I think it’s true. Love your posts, Ann.
Looks fantastic Ann! I love your entry way. The gather here pillow looks right at home. Your new creations are super cute too!
I adore this, Ann. I can go a bit OTT with my seasonal decor, but I love simple just as much. Those limelight hydrangeas are gorgeous. I’m not sure how well they’d fair in our climate, but they are on my garden bucket list! Sue x
Simply beautiful! Love it!
Less is more. Very, very pretty!
I like your neat and clean decor. It is refreshing.
I love your entryway looks, Ann. I believe elegance is always found in simplicity.
Where did you get that beautiful champagne bucket???
I love the simplicity of this look! Thank you for the inspiration!
Love the enteryway.bThanks for letting us know about your friend Debbie’s blog,going to order the gather stencil.How do I find your things on eBay?
Just lovely! I love you style!
Love the chair!
Love that pillow cover. The chicken just makes the design.
Like the table, like the stairs, like the pictures on the wall, like it all! Great job!
Ann, your decor always makes me smile. And thanks for the gourd/pumpkin tip.
You have some great decor and a lovely home, have a wonderful day.
Fantastic…as always. :)
Now, of course, I want to throw out all my fall decor and copy you !
I love your chest. I do have a question though. I have a mahogany buffet and have been thinking of painting it. I am wondering how you got the finish on the chest so satiny. I really don’t want to paint my buffet but like to have that satin wood finish,
Love the simplicity and class of your fall decor…
Orange pumpkins and hydrangeas go together beautifully. Also white pumpkins and bittersweet too. Thank you for letting us in your home Ann and Happy Harvest!
Kathleen in Az
Beautiful Ann!
I’m all about simple this year too. I’ve seen so many beautiful blogs loaded with pumpkins but it’s just not me. I have a friend that wants to give me some of her hydrangea bush cuttings for my place. I’ve planted them in the past and they never live. I’d love to have blooms like yours.
I love the pop of orange…you made the right choice! Also thanks for the tips on helping them to last longer! I still need to get my “fall on”!
What a lovely welcome to your home.
Thanks for sharing!
PS Do you have a source for dried hydrangras? I used mine fresh and do not have any dried?
I love it. Your so right, simple can be better. Thanks Ann