Oversized Arches Are Taking Over Front Porch Decor

If your holiday decorating style leans over-the-top, the supersized arch trend—no matter what you celebrate—will make a statement in your neighborhood. No matter how you decorate, these oversized arches offer a fresh way to express personality right at your doorstep. It’s a look that turns a simple entrance into a showstopper.

Our favorite part? Once you've made the base, it can be decorated for any season! Start by displaying a pumpkin arch in the fall, then transition to winter with garlands, ornaments, and bows. If you start planning now, you'll be able to enjoy your decor all season long.

How to Make the Arch Base

Here's how to make a custom oversized arch that adds serious charm to your house! This is not a one-size-fits-all project, so know that you'll need to do some sketching and planning to get the look right for your home. Once you've set the base and added the PVC, this same arch can easily transition from pumpkins to holiday greens with a few tweaks.

Supplies Needed

• 2 large (16-inch) black planters
• Dirt, sand, and mulch
• PVC pipe (length depends on desired arch height)

Step 1: Build a Sturdy Base

Fill two large planters with a mix of dirt and sand to create a sturdy base. These planters are 16-inch planters from the garden department at the home center. Stephanie topped each with mulch for a finished look and placed the planters on either side of the front entrance.

Step 2: Cut and Position the PVC Pipe

The structural material that allows this project to stand are lengths of PVC pipe cut to match the height you want for your arch. You can use PVC plumbing joints or fittings to create the visual curve in the arch. (In reality, the PVC will be angled at the top, but once you've decorated the arch, the final look is a soft curve.) Cut two lengths of PVC pipe to match the height you want for your arch, or ask the helpers at the home center to cut lengths to your specs. (It's a courtesy they offer.) Insert one pipe into each planter base so they stand vertically.

Though you won't have to add the PVC plumbing joints until the project comes in together in Step 5, you can add fittings here to help visualize where you need to drill into the pumpkins when piecing the structure together.

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How to Make a Pumpkin Arch

Supplies Needed

• Plastic craft pumpkins to span the arch
• 1 1/8-inch drill bit
• Hot knife
• Spray paint
• Drop cloth
• Zip ties and monofiliment
• Screws or wall hooks
• String lights (optional, for inside pumpkins) 

Step 1: Prep the Pumpkins

Stephanie used a 1 1/8-inch drill bit to make a hole in the bottom of each pumpkin (so they can slide over the PVC). Some pumpkins were purchased with a face and others started as plain plastic pumpkins. She drew faces on those and cut them out with a hot knife, which gave her a chance to customize the expressions.

Step 2: Paint for a Whimsical Look

Traditionalists might opt for an all-over orange look. Or for a spooky arch, go with shades of gray and black. Stephanie wanted something fun and whimsical so she choose a palette of creams and blush for an unexpected look. She spray painted each pumpkin on a drop cloth in the yard and allowed each to fully dry before moving to the next step.

Step 3: Stack the Pumpkins

Slide the painted pumpkins onto the PVC pipes, stacking them to form each side of the arch. The way you drill into them determines the angles where they can be placed. If needed, use zip ties to secure the pumpkins to the PVC. Working with a buddy is really helpful to secure and steady the structure. Stephanie used silk leaves to fill spaces between the pumpkins, attaching clusters with zip ties.

Step 4: Secure the Arch and Add Lights

Drill small screws into the wall or nearby structure, and use monofilament to discreetly anchor the top of the arch to the hooks for added stability. Drill a small hole in the back of each pumpkin and insert string lights to illuminate your arch from within. It's a little extra work, but worth it for the glow you'll get in the evening.

How to Make a Christmas Arch

Supplies Needed

• Galvanized chicken wire
• Faux garland
• White string lights
• Outdoor-safe holiday ornaments
• Zip ties
• Foam bow
• Taffeta fabric

Step 1: Remove Pumpkins and Add Wire

Start by removing and storing your pumpkins. Wrap galvanized chicken wire around the PVC frame so you have some more space to attach garlands and plenty of spots to add ornaments. The extra space gives you room to create a full look.

2. Wrap Garlands and Lights

The Hannas used 19 strands of faux garland, winding them tightly around the chicken wire and securing them with zip ties for a full look. She added 17 strands of white string lights using the same method.

3. Add Ornament Clusters and Bows

For major impact, Stephanie grouped about 200 holiday ornaments into small clusters using zip ties. She then tucked each bundle into the garland, spacing them out evenly for a lush, full look that pops both day and night.

To top it all off, oversized bow made from high-density polyurethane foam (available at craft stores) sits at the top of the arch. Stephanie cinched the foam into a bow shape with zip ties, then wrapped it in festive taffeta fabric, securing it in place with hot glue.