SIMPLE TIPS TO ADD REAL PUMPKINS TO DECOR
I love to decorate with real pumpkins. I love petite pumpkins and Cinderella pumpkins. Sometimes I mix them up fake pumpkins to throw off the squirrels. And, sometimes a pumpkin just needs a little lift. Sound familiar?
You know, like a platform to announce the fall season. Starbucks does it every year with their PSL.
So I added a pumpkin to my milk can and I loved the look.
The first thing you need is real pumpkins. So celebrate real pumpkins from your garden, farmer’s market, or grocery store. They can be in any and all sizes.
If your spring goals include growing pumpkins start here.

SIMPLE TIPS TO SHOW OFF REAL PUMPKINS TO DECOR

ELEVATE
The simple tip, like so many, was the result of a happy accident. I was decorating for fall and needed a place for this huge pumpkin. When I casually added the pumpkin to my metal milk can it was a 30-second decor upgrade.

Elevating pumpkins get pumpkins closer to eye level or at least knee level. Real pumpkins add color, shape, texture, height and character to so many spaces beyond the front porch. or kitchen counter.
And it isn’t always about the height. It’s the platform. Look what I did to my little garden pumpkin with leftover cement.

Think of your pumpkins getting pulled from the backup chorus line to centerstage at the finale .. in the most random place in your house. Like the unexpected.
Have you put a pumpkin in your home office?
I grabbed these DIY cedar trivets from my BIL (brother-in-law’s cabin.

No Milk Can No Problem
I know some of you are talking to me as you read this with no interest in a vintage milk can. I got you covered. If you love milk cans I share some tips below on where to search for a milk can. But these tips are not about milk cans they are about a pumpkin platform.
THE TIP IS TO GET YOUR PUMPKINS OFF THE GROUND
It is super easy to showcase a pumpkin in several ways that don’t require a 36″ metal creamery can.
BENCHES
My husband made this bench in high school. The simple addition of a pumpkin on a metal bench in the sideyard, whispers- look at me.

HEARTH
The hearth is the one place I use faux pumpkins because of the gas fireplace that throws off a lot of heat. I don’t want the family room to smell like one of my recipes gone sideways.
Love the idea of real pumpkins, but worry about the rot?
Here are some tips to keep your pumpkins from rotting.
I love the contrast between the fern and the changing of the seasons with the addition of the pumpkin. Does anyone remember the store The Great Indoors?

PLANTERS
I love to add pumpkins to my planters.
Last year I added a mix of real and faux pumpkins to my front porch and loved the look.
I kept it up through Thanksgiving.

IDEAS TO ELEVATE PUMPKINS
- bench
- blanket ladder (maybe use a pie size pumpkin)
- farmhouse chair
- patio bench
- mantel or hearth
- add them to your porch planters
If you want to grow your own pumpkins start here.
As promised if you are interested in getting your hands on a vintage milk can here are a few ideas.
SOURCES FOR MILK CAN FINDS
- garage sales (tag sales)
- Facebook Marketplace
- antique stores
- garage sales (tag sales)
- flea markets
- street or farmers’ markets
- ask the question on a social media site
- Somewhere someone wants to clean out their house!

Thank you for stopping by today! If you would love tips and decor ideas delivered to your inbox on Saturday mornings you can sign up for my easy-breezy four-minute read newsletter here.
I love your urn! I may have to copy that one! How’s it going, buddy? Are you going to write any more about the Cape? Have a great week.
Love all of your tips! I LOVE pumpkins and do everything I can to keep them “alive” and fresh here in the South as long as possible. Thank you for sharing.