Easy Pumpkin Carving Ideas That Are *So Aesthetic*

Explore our pumpkin carving ideas for a one-of-a-kind Jack O’Lantern in fall 2025! Whether you want something spooky, sweet, or silly, there’s an idea on this list just for you. 

Perfect Pumpkin Carving Inspiration

There are certain things we can all look forward to every autumn. Holiday gatherings, cute sweaters, cozy drinks, and carving pumpkins are just some of the things that make this season feel special. 

Pumpkin carving is one of our favorites, and we love that there are endless designs waiting to be brought to life. Whether you love the classic look of a Halloween-inspired design or prefer something modern and on-trend, you can’t go wrong with any silhouette or etching. 

If you’ve been searching for unique and playful pumpkin carving ideas to step up your game this fall, you’ll love our list of perfect pumpkins with one-of-a-kind carvings. From spooky holiday themes to something sweet and whimsical, our list features creative pumpkin carving idea for every aesthetic and every skill level! 

Classic ‘boo’

If you want something spooky and festive but don’t want to carve a traditional Jack O’Lantern, opt for a BOO pumpkin instead! 

You can use classic lettering for something modern and easy to read, or choose an eerie font style for an extra scary touch. Make sure to put this outside before Halloween for all the trick-or-treaters to see!

for the reader

Want to show off your love of books this fall?

Carve an open book with sparkles and stars coming off the pages. We love how this has a magical vibe, and you can even add other details to represent a specific book, series, or genre!

black cat silhouette

We love a spooky silhouette for Halloween, and a black cat is purr-fect for something mysterious and festive.

This design will pair well with classic Halloween decor, and don’t forget to add a long, curved tail and dainty whiskers to your carved kitty. 

glowing ghost

A ghost has a timeless holiday look, and this playful spirit is easy enough to be mastered by anyone, regardless of skill level. 

You can make this pumpkin carving even easier by simply etching the design onto the pumpkin without cutting all the way through, creating a clean silhouette that will glow in front of a flickering candle or LED light. 

starry night

Mimic the glowing night sky by carving stars all over your pumpkin. We love the soft glow and ethereal vibe of this design, and this simple idea is perfect for illuminating your house or walkway, providing “both beauty and function on dark nights.”

You can make this design even easier by using a stencil or even using a star-shaped cookie cutter and a hammer. Alternatively, you can create something unique by cutting out hand-drawn stars. 

fun fungi

Mushroom art is charming and whimsical, making it fantastic for a playful, nature-inspired aesthetic. You can carve a cluster of smaller mushrooms or focus on a single, larger mushroom as the centerpiece. 

Pair this cottagecore gourd with natural fall decor, like dried leaves, acorns, and a cinnamon broomstick. 

cowgirl vibes

Create a modern, cowgirl vibe with an unexpected Western-inspired boot carving. Go for a single boot or carve a pair, adding as much or as little detail as you want. 

Set this pumpkin on your porch, surrounded by hay bales, corn stalks, and scarecrows to complete the Western display. 

cat o’lantern

Take your Jack O’Lantern to the next level by carving a cute cat face instead of a scary or funny face. This idea is sure to add a fun and festive vibe to your decor, and it’s a great design to try out with little ones.

Pro tip: Use a smaller pumpkin to cut out the cat ears and add toothpicks or glue to hold them in place atop your Cat O’Lantern. 

love letter

We love this love letter pumpkin design, and it’s ideal for adding a romantic touch to this spooky season. 

The hearts flowing out of the envelope are so cute, though you can add a single heart seal on the envelope for something more simple and subtle. 

celestial carvings

A dreamy, celestial carving is the perfect silhouette for a glowing pumpkin. Use a simple crescent shape and a combination of small and large stars for an out-of-this-world pumpkin design. 

Surround this gourd with twinkle lights for an elevated, holiday-ready display! 

berry sweet design

A strawberry design is sweet and so adorable, perfect for a cheery vibe this autumn. Make sure to separate the leafy top from the base of the berry when carving, or go for an etched design that will allow you to add the seed details. 

Want to create a bigger and bolder berry design? Add winding stems, clusters of leaves, and dainty flowers around your strawberry. 

paw prints

Use your pumpkin to celebrate your furry friends by opting for this heartwarming paw print carving!

We love the pair of paw prints on this gourd for something simple and adorable. However, you can carve a trail of prints along the front of your pumpkin for something a bit more playful. 

ribbons & bows

Both elegant and charming, this bow cut-out has a sweet, feminine appeal. Use this pumpkin carving idea to match the girly vibes of floral fall decor inside or outside your home.

You can also add velvet ribbons throughout your decorations to create a sophisticated, unified look. 

pretty flowers

Carve out petals, leaving the center intact, for an easy floral design. This simple but elegant pumpkin carving idea has a timeless appeal and will quickly elevate your holiday decor. 

For a more complex design, try carving different petal shapes or adding stems and leaves to the flowers. 

fairy house

Add a magical feel to your Halloween decorations by creating one of our favorite pumpkin carving ideas—a fairy pumpkin house with climbing ivy and glowing lanterns.

This enchanting design is perfect for something whimsical and unique, and it works very well as an etching rather than a cut-out design. 

butterflies & stars

A simple butterfly design is sweet and playful, and we love the star details for an elevated finish.

This pumpkin has a dreamy vibe. With the soft, glowing light inside, this pumpkin will create a cute and cozy aesthetic this autumn. 

 

Need more festive decor inspo like these pumpkin carving ideas? Follow Styled Havens on Pinterest for seasonal and holiday inspiration!

 

If you loved this article, don’t miss our list of 21+ Chic Pumpkin Painting Ideas For Your Home!