In search of an entrance that truly makes a statement? Go big, we say—extraordinarily big. You’ll find oversized arches popping up all over, flanking doors both indoors and out, and they transform your seasonal decor into a joyous spectacle. Plus, they serve as the perfect photo backdrop.
Consider the creative genius of Stephanie Hanna, a content creator, and all-around smart cookie, who crafted a stunning arched entrance for her Fort Lauderdale, Florida abode. Her oversized arched gateway has become quite the talk of the neighborhood, both in the flesh and online.
Discover how to craft a holiday arch that effortlessly shifts from Halloween to Christmas, enabling you to save on materials and supplies. Plus, we’re dishing out tips on how to store it for future use.
Whether your festive flair leans towards the extravagant, the oversized arch trend will make a splash in your neighborhood, regardless of the holiday you celebrate. These colossal arches present a novel means to showcase your personality at the threshold of your home. It’s a style that turns a basic entrance into a head-turner.
Our favorite aspect? Once the foundation is set, you can dress it up for any season! Begin with a pumpkin arch in autumn, then transition to a winter wonderland with garlands, ornaments, and ribbons. Plan ahead, and you’ll savor your decorations throughout the year.
Check out how to create a customized oversized arch that injects serious charm into your home! This isn’t a project that fits all, so be prepared to sketch and plan to achieve the perfect fit for your space. Once you’ve established the base and incorporated the PVC, the same arch can seamlessly transition from pumpkins to holiday foliage with a few adjustments.
You’ll need two large (16-inch) black planters, dirt, sand, and mulch, as well as PVC pipe (the length should match the desired arch height) to get started. Fill the planters with a dirt and sand mixture to create a sturdy foundation. These 16-inch planters can be found in the garden section of your local home improvement store. Stephanie capped each with mulch for a polished finish and placed them on either side of the front entrance.
The backbone of this project is the PVC pipe cut to the desired height for your arch. You can use PVC plumbing joints or fittings to craft the arch’s curve. (In practice, the PVC will be angled at the top, but once decorated, the final effect is a gentle curve.) Cut two lengths of PVC pipe to match your arch’s height, or have the staff at the home center cut them to your specifications. (It’s a service they offer.) Place one pipe into each planter base to stand upright.
You won’t need to install the PVC plumbing joints until Step 5, but you can add fittings now to help envision where you’ll need to drill into the pumpkins when constructing the frame.
Gather plastic craft pumpkins to span the arch, a 1 1/8-inch drill bit, a hot knife, spray paint, a drop cloth, zip ties and monofilament, screws or wall hooks, and optional string lights for added ambiance.
Stephanie bored holes in the bottom of each pumpkin to slide them over the PVC (and to fit faces if desired). Some pumpkins came with faces, while others started as plain plastic. She sketched faces on the plain ones and cut them out with a hot knife, giving her the opportunity to personalize the expressions.
For a classic approach, go for a solid orange hue. For a spooky twist, opt for gray and black shades. Stephanie preferred a playful, whimsical look, so she chose a palette of creams and blush for a surprising contrast. She painted each pumpkin on a drop cloth in the yard and waited for them to dry completely before proceeding.
Slide the painted pumpkins onto the PVC pipes, stacking them to create the arch’s sides. The placement of the holes determines the angles at which they can be positioned. Use zip ties if needed to secure the pumpkins to the PVC. A helper is invaluable in securing and stabilizing the structure. Stephanie filled the gaps between the pumpkins with silk leaves, attaching the clusters with zip ties.
Secure the arch to the wall or a nearby structure using small screws and monofilament for additional stability. Create a small hole in the back of each pumpkin and thread in string lights for an illuminated effect. It’s a bit of extra effort, but it’s well worth the evening glow.
To prepare for the next season, start by removing and storing your pumpkins. Wrap galvanized chicken wire around the PVC frame to provide extra space for garlands and ample spots for ornaments. This extra room allows for a more complete look.
The Hannas adorned their arch with 19 strands of faux garland, winding them tightly around the chicken wire and fastening them with zip ties for a full effect. They added 17 strands of white string lights using the same method.
To make a big impression, Stephanie grouped about 200 holiday ornaments into small clusters using zip ties, then tucked each bundle into the garland, spacing them evenly for a lush, striking look day and night.
For the grand finale, a large foam bow, crafted from high-density polyurethane foam (available at craft stores), tops the arch. Stephanie shaped the foam into a bow with zip ties, then wrapped it in festive taffeta fabric, securing it with hot glue.
