Grab Some Wooden Slabs And Turn Them Into Rustic Porch Pumpkins

We're bringing the pumpkin patch to your front porch with a rustic fall decor DIY. This orange fruit is a staple for the autumn season, and no display is complete without the iconic gourds. Luckily, we have a budget-friendly design even novice DIYers can recreate. With a 2-inch by 4-inch by 8-foot plank, wood glue, a wood block, and craft supplies, you can make stylish rustic pumpkins that are perfect for outdoor decoration.

Before hitting the hardware store, check to see if you have any pieces of wood lying around the house that you can reuse. This project is a great way to repurpose leftover firewood, wood pallets, or old wood furniture. Since it has a rustic aesthetic, it's totally fine if the pieces are chipped or worn — in fact, it'll add character if they are. While designed for the porch, this craft is also perfect for decorating your home inside and out with pumpkins. And when the season is over, you can cover the pieces in wrapping paper to easily turn them into Christmas decorations, or fake snow for a more general winter theme.

First, cut your 2-inch by 4-inch slab into 10-inch-long pieces. Feel free to make the cuts longer for giant pumpkins or shorter for mini ones. You'll need five wood planks for each pumpkin. You can leave all the pieces squared off for a more abstract look, or curve the edges to mimic a round gourd. Just slice and sand the corners of the two end piece planks to create the rounded appearance. Once everything has been cut, gently sand the pieces with 60 to 80-grit sandpaper. They don't need to be smoothed to perfection since this is a rustic decor piece. Then, apply the wood glue to the 4-inch side of the planks and adhere the five cut slabs to each other. Finally, glue your wooden block on top for the pumpkin stem.

Now, it's time to decorate. You can paint or stain the wood to bring it to life. Classic oranges, yellows, gray-blues, and dark greens will keep the decor true to a realistic pumpkin, but don't be afraid to have fun with the rainbow. You can even create a multi-colored look by painting each cut slab a different shade. Then, finish with a coat of waterproof sealant to make your gourds ready for the outdoors.

Raffia ribbon, twine, and fabric strips are cute craft pieces to tie around the pumpkin stem. They'll add texture and contrast while keeping with the rustic theme. Gluing dried leaves and flowers near the stem is also another way to upgrade the simple decor. These DIY pumpkins are ideal for styling your home with easy-to-make fall decor on a budget.