The first cool morning of October, I pull the fall bin down from the garage. Then I start moving pumpkins around the house like it is my full-time job. If you have been eyeing the soft, plush look of Pottery Barn velvet pumpkins, these Pottery Barn velvet pumpkins alternatives give you the same cozy mantel for a fraction of the cost.
Pottery Barn’s faux pumpkins are gorgeous, but they add up fast at $39.50 and up each. So I rounded up 5 velvet pumpkin look alikes from Amazon and Walmart. They start at just $8.60, and every one of them works on a mantel, a console table or a Thanksgiving centerpiece.
Why Everyone Loves Pottery Barn Velvet Pumpkins
Velvet pumpkins became a fall decor favorite for a simple reason. They feel soft and rich, and they never rot on the porch. Plus, the muted colors look grown up next to candles, books and dried stems. For reference, Pottery Barn’s faux pumpkins and gourds run about $39.50 to $139 right now.
- Plush velvet texture: The fabric catches the light, so a small cluster looks expensive.
- Real stems: Many come with natural or gold stems that make them look handmade.
- Soft neutral colors: Cream, champagne, sage and rust blend with almost any room.
- Reusable every year: You buy them once and pull them out every September.
- Easy to style: Stack them on books, pile them in a bowl or line them down a table.
What to Look for in a Velvet Pumpkin Alternative
Not all velvet pumpkins look the same in person. Here is what I check before I add a set to my cart.
- Fabric: Look for a dense velvet with a soft sheen. Thin fabric can look flat in photos.
- Size mix: A set with two or three sizes looks more natural than identical pumpkins.
- Stems: Real or realistic stems make a big difference. Gold stems feel a little more glam.
- Color: Pick one color story, like warm neutrals or jewel tones, so your display feels pulled together.
- Reviews: Read the photo reviews. They show the true size much better than the listing photos.
The 5 Best Pottery Barn Velvet Pumpkins Alternatives
Winlyn Set of 4 Fall Velvet Pumpkins with Gold Stems, $16.99
This set of four is the one I would grab first. The pumpkins come in rich fall shades with shiny gold stems, so they look styled straight out of the box.
It has a 4.7 star rating from about 270 reviews. Reviewers love how soft the velvet feels. A few say the pumpkins are smaller than expected, so plan to group them together.
Best for: A quick, pretty mantel for under $20.
Set of 3 Velvet 6.25 Inch Pumpkins, $32.99
If you want the closest look to the original, start here. Each pumpkin is about 6.25 inches, and the set mixes brass, burnt orange and gold velvet.
It holds a 4.7 star rating from over 500 reviews. That is a lot of happy shoppers for a fall decor item! The bigger size also reads more like the Pottery Barn version on a coffee table.
Best for: The most high-end look.
Kepfire 8 Pcs Champagne Velvet Pumpkins, $14.99
Champagne velvet is one of my favorite fall colors. It is soft and neutral, yet still a little festive.
You get eight pumpkins in this set, which makes it great for filling a dough bowl or a lantern. It has a 5 star rating, though only from about two dozen reviews so far.
Best for: Neutral, glam decor.
Way To Celebrate Boucle Pumpkin Decorative Pillow, Cream, $8.60
This one is not velvet, but hear me out. It has the same soft, squishy, plush pumpkin shape in a creamy boucle that feels very Pottery Barn.
At $8.60, it is the best deal on the list. It has a 4.8 star rating from 75 ratings. I love it tucked on a chair, a bench or a reading nook.
Best for: The best budget pick.
HIG Set of 2 Pleated Velvet Pumpkin Pillows, Dusty Blue, $22.55
Want the velvet pumpkin look on your sofa? This pair of round pleated pillows is shaped like a pumpkin and made of soft velvet.
Dusty blue feels fresh next to classic orange and cream. The set has a 4.8 star rating from 191 ratings, and each pillow is 14.5 inches across.
Best for: Adding fall to the couch.
How to Style Your Velvet Pumpkins
Velvet pumpkins look best in small, layered groups. Here are a few easy ways to use them.
- On the mantel: Mix two sizes with taper candles and a few dried stems. Keep the colors soft.
- On a stack of books: Set one large pumpkin on top of two coffee table books. Then add a small one beside it.
- In a dough bowl: Fill a wooden bowl with a set of eight. It looks full and cozy in seconds.
- On the Thanksgiving table: Line them down the center with greenery. Also add votives for a warm glow.
Love a cozy layered look? You will also like my Pottery Barn faux fur throw alternatives and my Pottery Barn velvet stocking look alikes for the holidays.
A Quick Note on Colors
Before you buy, think about your room. Warm wood and cream walls look best with rust, champagne and ivory. On the other hand, a cool gray room pops with dusty blue and sage.
You can also mix sets. For example, pair the Winlyn set with the champagne Kepfire pumpkins for a soft, layered look. That way your display looks collected, not bought all at once.
How Many Velvet Pumpkins Do You Need?
This is the question I get most every fall. For a mantel, five to seven pumpkins in two or three sizes usually looks full. A coffee table or console needs only three, grouped in a tight triangle.
For a dining table, plan on one small pumpkin for every two place settings. Then fill the gaps with greenery and candles. Odd numbers almost always look more natural than even ones.
Also, do not forget the soft spots in your home. A pumpkin pillow on the sofa or a reading chair ties the whole fall look together. It is an easy way to carry the theme from room to room.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is similar to Pottery Barn velvet pumpkins?
The Set of 3 Velvet 6.25 Inch Pumpkins on Amazon is the closest match in size and color. For a smaller budget, the Winlyn set of 4 has the same soft velvet and gold stems for under $20.
Does Walmart sell velvet pumpkins?
Yes, it does. My favorite Walmart picks are the HIG pleated velvet pumpkin pillows and the Way To Celebrate boucle pumpkin pillow. Both have strong ratings and low prices.
Are velvet pumpkins worth the price?
Velvet pumpkins last for years, so they are a smart buy. That said, you do not need to spend $40 or more on each one. These alternatives give you the look for a few dollars per pumpkin.
How do you store velvet pumpkins?
Keep them in a lidded bin with tissue paper so they do not get crushed. Then store the bin in a dry spot, away from heat, until next fall.
Final Thoughts
If I had to pick, the Winlyn set of 4 is the best value. The Set of 3 Velvet 6.25 Inch Pumpkins is the best overall for a true Pottery Barn look. And the Way To Celebrate boucle pillow is a sweet little bonus for just $8.60.
Discover more designer look alikes in my ultimate guide to designer alternatives for less.
Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you purchase after clicking through the link.
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