9 Halloween decor ideas that will transform your home into a spooky, yet chic guest-envying treat this holiday

It may only be September, but, as scary as it sounds, we'll soon start to see Halloween decor ideas pop up in everyone's homes.

From outdoor Halloween decorations on front lawns and entryways across the neighborhood, to Halloween table decor ideas inside the home, things will start ramping up before you can say 'boo'.

If you're ready to start thinking through your own home's seasonal spread (summerween is a thing, by the way), we've curated our favorite Halloween decor and styling ideas to make your space look more frightfully festive than ever.

1. Style an entryway console table

The entryway is a great place to embrace the festivities, but you don't need to go overboard with bright colors and kitsch decor. Instead, take inspiration from this console table from Terrain, styled with vintage-look prints and glass cloches like these from Terrain, and greenery that nods subtly to Halloween.

Items like candles, dried foliage in vases, and the odd Halloween-themed decorative piece are all you need to elevate your entryway seasonally.

2. Switch jack o'lanterns for pumpkin planters

Carved jack o'lanterns are a classic Halloween decor idea, but for a stylish display, which can be re-used year after year, why not try some ceramic pumpkin planters like these terracotta cachepots from Pottery Barn? Available in two sizes and two shades, these planters can be arranged in an entryway and filled with living plants, such as grasses or succulents, or dried flowers for a more fall-focused display that will last all season.

3. Embrace fall hues

Forget Halloween decor in garish, standoffish colorways, with luminous oranges and slime greens dominating the palette. Toning the scheme down by either embracing darker, more luxurious tones or following a more carefully planned fall color scheme will help to curate a far more sophisticated scheme.

Fall foliage is a great way to elevate your home throughout fall and winter, but for Halloween, consider choosing foliage of rich autumnal hues to set the scene. Style your indoor spaces with vases of cut stems and dried flowers to bring the natural beauty of the season into your home.

There are some wonderful faux stems available from Target that look so realistic if you want to keep it easy and fuss-free,

'I would lessen the Halloween angle and go for the autumnal look,' says Catherine Dal or Cat Dal interiors. 'I’d have loads of different squash decorations, mixed with foliage in all the colors of fall, and have fun with accessories.'

4. Make mini pumpkin candle holders

Embrace DIY Halloween decor with Mini pumpkin candle holders. They are easy to make – which can be fun to do with the kids – and can be picked up from stores or farm stands at this time of year.

Here interior stylist and content creator Melanie Lissack used a corer like this OXO Good Grips apple corer from Amazon, to remove the pumpkin stem and create a holder for the candle, she then decorated them with paper bats.

5. Experiment with witchcraft

Mystical and witchy motifs can offer another minimal take on Halloween decor. Style some wicker witch hats like this set of 2 from McGee & Co, with a few pumpkins and some natural foliage for a subtle take on this look.

Or you could create a Harry Potter-esque set-up to give the illusion of floating candles (and hats, too) by suspending LED candles such as these on Amazon from the ceiling over a dining table or entranceway with invisible fishing line, for a particularly magical look, that inspires the feeling of wizardry and witchcraft.

6. Go for beetlejuicecore

The Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie has inspired designers and Halloween aficionados to embrace black and white stripes, bold colors, and a mix of vintage and modern pieces in their home in homage.

Whether you're a big Tim Burton fan or just love monochrome, adding a nod of Beetlejuicecore (as it's being called) to your Halloween decor will feel fresh and on-trend. Stripes are a must-have, as are eerily elegant black pumpkins, skulls, and spooky candelabras.

Fill frames like these Ripple picture frames from Lulu & Georgia, with eerie silhouettes, black and white prints, and photographs to create an eerie gallery.

7. Try a pared-back color palette

We're moving away from the traditional orange and black color palette for something more demure and subtle, which encapsulates chic Halloween decor.

'It can be easy to forget, but pumpkins come in a variety of colors, not just orange! I like the idea of marking Halloween with white, teal, and pale yellow pumpkins and gourds,' says designer Kathy Kuo, interior designer and CEO of Kathy Kuo Home

Whether you choose subtle shades of white and green, or go for faux pumpkins in unique hues, or decorations like these flameless wax pumpkin candles from Pottery Barn in toned-down fall hues like rust and olive (pictured), you'll be making a unique statement that offers a different take on the arguably overdone Halloween color scheme.

8. Incorporate rich, cozy textures

'I love using rich, textured fabrics like velvet or leather in deep purples and blacks for throws and other accents,' says Ashley Stark co-founder of Ashley Stark Home. 'A few strategically placed pumpkins – perhaps painted in metallic hues – add a touch of glamour.'

As the temperature drops and the days begin to get shorter, it's more important than ever to fill your home with lush, inviting textures and textiles. Fit for hosting, movie nights, or simply lounging on the couch, these design details will ensure you're warm and comfortable for Halloween and beyond.

Nina Lichtenstein adds that designers often lean into the 'power of texture in creating a cozy yet spooky atmosphere.' She recommends incorporating 'rich' fabrics like velvet, wool, and leather into your Halloween decor. 'Velvet pillows in dark hues (try Anthropologie's pillows by designer Catherine Martin) and faux fur throws add layers of depth to the room,' she says. 'These elements not only evoke the warmth of fall but also nod to the gothic, adding a subtle hint of the macabre.'

9. Use traditional motifs sparingly

Spooky ornaments, particularly designed for outdoor Halloween decor, often go in heavy with traditional motifs such as bats, spiders, witches, and pumpkin cutouts. While these make for a great stereotypical Halloween display, they may easily reduce the appearance of tasteful luxury decor.

Opt for one or two statement pieces like these rattan bats from Anthropologie to add drama but in a subtle and sophisticated way that doesn't look overdone.

Shop our favorite Halloween decor pieces

While you can forage and make your own natural displays for spooky season, adding some statement pieces will really lift your Halloween decor ideas. Take a look at our Halloween shopping buys for more ideas, too.

FAQs

Are Halloween decorations out yet?

Even though it's still mid-summer Halloween decorations are out in a lot of our favorite stores already.

If you're wanting to get ahead and not get a scare when all of the best pieces have sold out come October, I'd advise embracing summerween and starting your shopping now so you're ready to go come October.

Some of our favorite ranges include Anthropologie and Terrain for whimsical and nature inspired pieces, Pottery Barn , West Elm and McGee & Co for chic and versatile takes on Halloween decor and Target for some instant and affordable updates,

When can Halloween decorations go up?

The best time for Halloween decorations to go up is really down to you, your style preferences and your time constraints. Usually this falls within the first two weeks of October as the weather begins to turn and people are mentally preparing for the spooky season. You might be itching to get creative with Halloween decorating ideas, earlier though.

Carrie McCabe, co-host of the paranormal podcast Ain't It Scary with Sean and Carrie, recommends starting to decorate 'when it officially becomes fall on September 23. That seasonal change is a good marker that the summer is over and it's time to embrace fall holidays, like Halloween.'

Interior designer Jasmine Crockett says 'I personally opt to start decorating as soon as September arrives. By gradually incorporating fall-themed elements throughout September and blending in a touch of Halloween as October approaches, I strike a casual balance between celebrating the changing seasons and preparing for the festivities ahead.'

You might also want to consider waiting for your neighbors to start decorating. That way you won't be the only spooky house on the block.

What are the most popular Halloween decorations?

One of the most popular Halloween decorations is the humble jack-o-lantern, with their versatility making them the ideal addition to areas such as porches, tables, and windows. While predictable, festive pumpkins carved, painted, or left natural is some of the most readily available and affordable options for decorating throughout the Fall period.