36 Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas and Designs

We are officially consuming pumpkin-flavored things faster than leaves can fall off trees, and we can't wait to try out some of our newest creative pumpkin carving ideas. To kick off our Halloween decorating obsession, we've rounded up the best of the best in pumpkin design. So whether you're getting intricate with it or just want to drill a few holes, these unique ideas will get you carving and embellishing creatively this Halloween.

DIY Cat Drilled Pumpkin

1. DIY Cat Drilled Pumpkin

Opting for a repeating pattern and some paint creates a fresh look without having to spend hours carving out a ghoulish face. (via Handmade Charlotte)

Daisy Pumpkin

2. Daisy Pumpkin

Celebrate the Summer of Love all the way into October with this boho, no-carve pumpkin design. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Rainbow Pun-kins

3. Pun-kins

Bow down, witches. (via Studio DIY!)

Cross Stitch Pumpkins

4. Cross-Stitch Pumpkins

Take your hobby to the next level this season with these charming & ghoulish designs. (via Aww Sam)

Pink Flamingos Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas

5. Flamingo Pumpkin

It's always a bit easier to just paint them, right? And you can easily add everything you need to make a flock of them for your living room. (via Brit + Co)

DIY Animal Pumpkins

6. DIY Animal Pumpkins

Invite the girls over to spend an afternoon carving woodland creatures. They'll thank you later. (via Brit + Co)

Finding Dory Pumpkins

7. Finding Dory Pumpkins

Ya know, for the kids in your life. Don't forget to do Hank the Septopus! (via Brit + Co)

Creepy Cat-Eye Pumpkin

8. Creepy Cat-Eye Pumpkin

This one doesn't need to be big to make a statement. The multitude of eyes staring back at you as you walk across the room is creepy enough. (via Paper & Stitch)

Scalloped Pumpkin Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas

9. Scalloped Pumpkin

Have some tissue confetti left over? Excellent. Layer it to create a fish-scale effect. (via Sarah Hearts)

 Cosmic Galaxy Pumpkins

10. Cosmic Pumpkins

Those pre-painted plastic versions are the perfect backdrop for a night's sky or the Milky Way. (via Brit + Co)

Anatomy Pumpkins

11. Anatomy Pumpkins

Rather than hanging a skeleton outside the door to spook trick-or-treaters, carve these pumpkins for a more original take on the tradition. (via Brit + Co)

Tissue Paper Geometric Pumpkins

12. Tissue Paper Geometric Pumpkins

Decoupage to the rescue! Clear out your crafting stash and decorate your gourds in style. (via Design Fixation)

Hocus Pocus Pumpkins

13. Hocus Pocus Pumpkins

Thackery Binx would be proud to sit by these while guarding the book and the black flame candle. (via Lovely Indeed)

Tetris Pumpkin

14. Tetris Pumpkin

AKA Pumpktris, this carved and LED-equipped 'kin is perfect for the throwback gamer in all of us. (via Handmade Charlotte)

Retro Label Maker Pumpkins

15. Retro Label Maker Pumpkins

Live your office supply dreams all season long with a label maker. (via A Bubbly Life)

Text Pumpkins

16. Text Pumpkins

Text designs make a big impact without all the hard work. (via Paper & Stitch)

Tassels Pumpkin

17. Tassels Pumpkin

There are never enough ways to use all the cute tassels in the world. This is ideal for adding texture to the waxy ones. (via Delineate Your Dwelling)

Rainbow Pom Pom Pumpkins

18. Pom Pom Pumpkins

Living colorfully is a 24/7 kind of lifestyle. Embrace the trend this fall with a collection of rainbow pumpkins. (via Design Improvised)

Emoji Head Pumpkins

19. Emoji Head Pumpkins

Bring those keyboard faves to life this year with a stoop full of emojis. (via Brit + Co)

Hot Crayon Pumpkin Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas

20. Hot Crayon Pumpkin

Don't bother with melted crayon art. Instead, use the technique on these tiny little ones. They'd make a stylish centerpiece and are a way to get the kids involved. (via Hello, Wonderful)

Unicorn Pumpkin

21. Unicorn Pumpkin

Because we all need a little bit of magic as we go about our day. (via Brit + Co)

Thanksgiving Pumpkin

22. Thanksgiving Pumpkin

White pumpkins are versatile, and this simple fabric paint DIY will carry you through from Halloween to Thanksgiving. (via A Beautiful Mess)

Candy Jar Carved Pumpkin

23. Candy Jar Carved Pumpkin

Turn your pumpkin into a candy jar with some knife skills and chalkboard paint. (via In My Own Style)

String Art Pumpkin

24. String Art Pumpkin

String us along anytime for an art project that combines bright fabric, metal, and organic materials. (via Hello, Wonderful)

Bedazzled Turquoise Pumpkin

25. Turquoise Pumpkin

Rhinestones make everything prettier, and we love this DIY teal-painted take on the orange classic. (via Dans Lakehouse)

Cactus Pumpkin

26. Cactus Pumpkin

These are simple to DIY and are a major conversation starter. (via Aww, Sam)

Gold Confetti-Dipped Pumpkin Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas

27. Gold Confetti-Dipped Pumpkin

These pumpkins were *meant* to be seen. (via Studio DIY)

Gold Leaf Patterned Pumpkin

28. Gold Leaf Patterned Pumpkin

Yes, you can add a chic touch to your decor with a *pumpkin*. (via Brit + Co)

Modern Geometric Pumpkin

29. Modern Geometric Pumpkin

Since you won't be carving, stick to a smoother faux pumpkin for this DIY. Its less-pronounced ridges will make it easier to apply these vinyl pieces. (via Design Improvised)

Gold Geo No-Carve Pumpkins

30. Gold Geo No-Carve Pumpkins

These geometric gold pumpkins may look fancy, but they only require you to use a gold pen. (via Lovely Indeed)

Boho Agate Geode Jack-O-Lantern

31. Boho Agate Geode Jack-O-Lantern

Incorporate crystal magic into your Halloween decor-scape with agate slices that glow deep blue when candlelit. (via JoJoTastic)

Which creative pumpkin carving idea do you like best from this list? Share pictures of your pumpkins with us on Twitter and join our newsletter for more creative inspiration!

(Additional reporting by Cortney Clift)

This post has been updated.