Ornamental gourds offer an easy way to bring autumn colors to your entrance, balcony, or interior. The following 20 ideas show how to combine them with heather, flowers, leaves, and containers you may already have at home.
What You’ll Need
- ornamental gourds of various colors, shapes, and sizes
- heather, chrysanthemums, or other autumn plants
- baskets, bowls, flowerpots, crates, or trays
- dried leaves, chestnuts, walnuts, pinecones, and twigs
- depending on your arrangement: a lantern, vase, or candle
1. Gourds by the Front Door: Group a large orange, white, and green gourd on the steps and add several smaller ones. An irregular layout looks natural, while heather and hydrangeas in pots create a pleasant frame for the decoration.
2. Autumn Basket: Place a pot with heather in a shallow wicker basket and arrange several bumpy ornamental gourds around it. Fill the gaps with colorful fallen leaves to tie all the shades together.
3. Bowl for the Garden Table: Arrange gourds of various shapes in a wide ceramic bowl. Add chestnuts and red and yellow leaves; let a few fruits lie freely on the table so the arrangement doesn’t look too formal.
4. Simple Still Life on the Windowsill: Place three differently colored gourds on the outdoor windowsill and set a glass with dried hydrangea blooms next to them. This minimalist combination stands out especially against a light background.
5. Gourds in an Old Crate: Turn a wooden crate on its side and place some gourds inside. Arrange others in front so they look like they’ve naturally spilled out. A pot of heather placed next to it adds height to the composition.
6. Decoration on a Garden Bench: Place a pot with lush blooming chrysanthemums on the bench and set two light-colored gourds and one long yellow one in front. A lantern, leaves, and a few chestnuts complete the cozy atmosphere.
7. Autumn Balcony Planter: Place three ornamental gourds among the heather and trailing greenery. Choose different colors so they stand out, and set them firmly on the soil surface without damaging the plants.
8. Enamel Basin Full of Autumn: Use an old enamel basin as a striking container. Place heather and a silvery plant at the back, then layer green, white, and yellow gourds in front.
9. Gourd Centerpiece: Group several small gourds on a large plate. Scatter walnuts and twigs with colorful berries around, and place a jug with hydrangeas nearby. Keep the whole arrangement low enough not to block the view across the table.
10. Autumn Decoration on a Sideboard: Arrange light and dark green gourds next to a ceramic jug with a dried bouquet. Place smaller fruits in a shallow basket in the background and add a candle to complete the look.
11. Rustic Tray with Pinecones: Place five striking gourds on a round wooden tray and fill the empty spaces with pinecones and dried leaves. Alternate light, green, and orange pieces so each gourd stands out.
12. Country Still Life by the Door: Fill a galvanized container with a bundle of wheat, dried grasses, and twigs with red berries. Place three small gourds on the step in front and scatter a few fallen leaves around them.
13. Wicker Tray for the Windowsill: Place a pot with heather in a shallow wicker basket and add four striped gourds. Put the largest ones at the back and the smaller ones in front so they’re all clearly visible.
14. Welcoming Hallway Decoration: Arrange orange, light, and striped gourds on a wooden sideboard. Add a vase with dried hydrangeas and twigs, a few chestnuts, and a lantern with a candle.
15. Baskets on an Old Ladder: Lean two wicker baskets filled with gourds securely against an old wooden ladder. Alternate shapes and shades, and place a large pot of heather nearby to soften the rustic look.
16. Gourds on a Wooden Log: Place three small gourds on the flat surface of an old log. Let a red-blooming chrysanthemum stand out in the background, while a watering can and garden greenery enhance the natural country style.
17. Autumn Wheelbarrow: Place a pot with heather in a wooden wheelbarrow and arrange gourds from largest to smallest around it. Set the wheelbarrow on a firm, level surface to keep the decoration stable.
18. Abundant Bowl for the Kitchen: Arrange gourds, apples, and walnuts on a cake stand or pedestal bowl. Add a dried hydrangea at the back to visually heighten and soften the arrangement.
19. Gourds Among Flowerpots: Place two pots with heather on a brick wall and fill the space between them with four ornamental gourds. Let trailing ivy drape over the edge to connect the decoration with its surroundings.
20. Autumn Wreath for the Table: Cover a shallow wicker base with dried leaves and acorns, then arrange several colorful gourds on top. Place a glass with a candle in the center and make sure the flame doesn’t touch any dry parts of the decoration.
Final Tip
For a harmonious result, combine an odd number of gourds and alternate their sizes, colors, and textures. Protect outdoor decorations from prolonged moisture and regularly check the fruits. Never leave a candle unattended, and always keep dry leaves and twigs at a safe distance from the flame.
