DIY Rustic Pumpkin Stand Tutorial

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Looking for a fun way to add a little rustic charm to your fall decorating? This DIY Rustic Pumpkin Stand is a wooden pumpkin with a small box attached to the front, making it perfect for displaying mini pumpkins, gourds, fall flowers, or even Halloween candy.

I love how a little stain and paint can transform simple cedar fence pickets into a charming piece of seasonal decor. The weathered-gray finish, with a touch of white dry-brushed over the top, gives this wooden pumpkin a worn, collected look that fits right in with farmhouse and rustic fall decorating.

You can display your finished pumpkin stand on a front porch, beside your entryway, or indoors as part of a fall vignette. And because you can change what you put in the front box, it’s easy to give this piece a fresh look throughout the season.

DIY Rustic Pumpkin Stand

Here’s how I made it:  {affiliate links included for your convenience, you can find more details here)

Supplies for a DIY Rustic Pumpkin Stand

Tools:

• Miter Saw
• Jigsaw
• Nailer
• Safety goggles
• Tape measure
• Pencil

Materials:

•  2 – 72″ x 5-1/2″ Cedar fence pickets
• 1 – 1×2 x 4 feet long
• 1″ staples for the nailer
• wood glue

Step 1: Cut the Wood Pieces

Start by measuring and cutting the lumber. You’ll use the cedar fence pickets to create the pumpkin and its front box, while the 1×2 pieces provide support and form the stem.

You need the following cuts:

• four 18″ pieces from the Cedar fence pickets (pumpkin)
• two 20″ pieces from the 1×2 x 4ft (holds the pumpkin together in the back)
• one 8″ piece from the 1×2 x 4 ft. (the pumpkin stem)
• one 17″ piece from the Cedar fence picket (box in front of the pumpkin)
• two 5 1/2″ pieces from the Cedar fence picket (sides of box in front of the pumpkin)
• one 16″ piece from the Cedar fence picket

Step 2: Assemble the Wooden Pumpkin Back

Lay the four 18″ pieces of the Cedar side-by-side leaving a slight gap between each board.  I used tile spacers to keep the same gap.

Place the two 20″ pieces on top and use wood glue and the nailer to attach the pieces.

Step 3: Draw and Cut the Pumpkin Shape

Flip over the piece and trace out a pumpkin shape (be careful to note where the attachment boards are).

Use the jigsaw to cut out your pumpkin.

Step 4: Attach the Pumpkin Stem

Take the 8-inch piece of 1×2 and position it at the top center of the pumpkin’s back.

Secure the stem with wood glue and your nailer. Check that it sits straight before fastening it in place.

Step 5: Build the Front Box

Use the remaining cedar pieces to assemble the small box that attaches to the front of the pumpkin.

Arrange the 17-inch piece as the front panel, the two 5½-inch pieces as the sides, and the 16-inch piece as the bottom. Apply wood glue and fasten the pieces together with the nailer.

Check that the pieces line up neatly and that the box sits evenly before moving on to the finish.

Step 6: Stain and Dry-Brush the Pumpkin

I decided to stain and paint at this point before attaching the box to the front of the pumpkin.

I used Weathered Gray by Varathane.  I put a very light coat on as I wanted some of the wood to still be peaking through.

Once it was dry, I dried brushed with some white paint.

Step 7: Attach the Box to the Pumpkin

Once the finish is dry, position the box on the front of the pumpkin and check that it sits level.

Use wood glue and the nailer to attach the box securely. Let the glue cure according to its instructions before filling the box or moving the finished decoration.

Your DIY Rustic Pumpkin Stand is ready to decorate!

Such a cute Rustic Pumpkin Stand!!!

I happened to find some pumpkins and mums last week… I might have done a little dance!

Ideas for Decorating Your Rustic Pumpkin Stand

One of my favorite things about this project is how many different ways you can use it throughout fall.

• Mini pumpkins and gourds: Fill the box with a mix of small pumpkins in different colors and shapes.
• Mums and fall flowers: Add seasonal blooms for a cheerful autumn display. If using live flowers, place them in a suitable waterproof container rather than directly against the wood.
• Halloween candy: Set the pumpkin stand near your entryway and fill the box with wrapped treats.
• Pinecones and natural accents: Create a rustic arrangement with pinecones, faux leaves, and small seasonal picks.
• Seasonal greenery: Use faux greenery and berries for a display you can reuse year after year.

Where to Display Your Wooden Pumpkin Stand

This rustic pumpkin looks right at home on a covered front porch, next to the front door, on an entryway table, or as part of a fall mantel display. You can also change the contents as the season progresses—from pumpkins and gourds in early fall to candy for Halloween.

If you plan to display it outdoors, a covered location will help protect the wood and painted finish from rain and prolonged exposure to the elements.

More DIY Fall Decorating Ideas

If you’re decorating for autumn, you might also enjoy these projects from Domestically Designed:

DIY Industrial Metal Pumpkins

Fall Apple Leaf Wreath

Burlap Pumpkins

Autumn Corn Husk Wreath

This DIY Rustic Pumpkin Stand is a charming way to bring handmade character to your fall decorating. With simple lumber, a few basic tools, and a weathered paint finish, you can create a seasonal display that works with pumpkins, flowers, candy, and more.

Make sure to check out all these amazing bloggers and their take of this cute Rustic Pumpkin Stand!

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The Home Depot offers Workshops at all of their locations for do-it-yourselfers of all ages and experience levels.  Along with the DIH workshop they offer a DIY (Do It Yourself) and Kid Workshops.  Customers can learn how to build décor projects, how to make easy home repairs and how to operate tools through demonstrations and step-by-step instructions.  Each of their workshops are designed to provide a mix of association-led instruction, demonstration and some hands-on learning.  Materials can be purchased (they’ll have them available at the workshop) so you can make your own.

“I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Workshops Program (the “Program”). As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.”