Halloween might be one of the trickiest events to decorate your house for – orange and black don’t necessarily scream “interior design” – but it certainly allows for a lot of creativity. The aim is to sneak in a little piece here and there throughout your home, resulting in an aesthetic sure to wow everyone who dares to enter!
In the following article, we’re here to lead you, stair by creaking stair, through a house of delightful home décor horrors. Learn how to put a festive, fun, and frightful spin on every room and furnishing, from the front porch to your kitchen table. Eventually, your neighbors will be eyeballing your Halloween decorations like Pennywise from underneath the streets of Derry!
Creepy Curb Appeal: Halloween Décor for Your Porch and Garden
The easiest place to start is at your front door. Put a few fresh pumpkins or gourds around the porch or veranda; real vegetables add authenticity, but artificial pumpkins won’t rot. Greet your guests with a creepy Halloween doormat, welcoming them to your “Home Sweet [Haunted] Home.” You can also beckon passers-by to edge ever-so slightly closer with a prop ghost, witch, or sound-activated scarecrow model in the front yard.
Speaking of witch – sorry, which: a Halloween yard sign or flag is another fun way to catch the attention of neighbors and would-be trick-or-treaters. And for some more information on decorating jack-o’-lanterns, read our article on “10 Incredibly Simple Pumpkin Carving Alternatives.”
Haunted Hallways: Sprucing Up Your Stairs for Halloween
Into the hallway, next – past the bolted door/where impossible things may happen/that the world has never seen before, à la Dexter’s Laboratory! Hang Halloween bunting along the balusters: those posts or railings on the side of your stairs are a ready-made mount for your flags. Then stick props above each step to make the ascent more dynamic (DIY bats or witches’ hats would work nicely). You can even plant fake spiders and cobwebs on the handrail, helping you to achieve that decrepit House of Usher atmosphere!
There are also plenty of ways to charm anyone tip-toeing through your hallway this Halloween. Try moody lighting in shades like purple and green, or set up some unique candle holders to create big, billowing shadows. And for a final “dramatic statement,” Homes and Gardens recommends deep red dahlias, dark purple roses, or black calla lilies in a vase.
A Taste for Terror: Kitchen Décor to Dine For
Now, how about some themed improvements to a room you might be spending a lot of time in over Halloween (and again for Thanksgiving, and Christmas)? The table is your focal point, so beyond the party décor – Halloween party plates and disposable cups – use table runners and centerpieces to enliven each meal. Lay out placemats to elevate the eerie ambiance, and have some vintage Halloween kitchen towels on hand to wipe up ectoplasm, chemical ooze, or spilled minerals.
Obviously, don’t hang any decorations near your cooking area, just in case. A mat or rug beneath your feet won’t do any harm, however; nor will a cauldron of candy for your zombified teenagers to feast on.
Monsters Under, Over, and Beside the Bed: Styling a Spooky Bedroom
Understandably, your bedroom is one area where you might want to ease up on the vivid colors, blinking lights, and cackling animatronics. According to Homes and Gardens, warm neutrals, paired with darker shades, are an alternative way to prepare your home for Halloween – and they may suit your bedroom better than outlandish oranges and blacks. Replace your summery accents with fall-themed pillows and blankets, and experiment with subdued Halloween patterns on your curtains.
On the other hand, maybe you and your boo are in the mood to fully embrace the Season of the Witch. In that case, cue up some fiendish tunes on your Bluetooth speaker while you redecorate, swap out your duvet cover for something creepy and creative, and hang posters inspired by your favorite Halloween classics on the walls. You’re bound to get a good night’s sleep under the watchful eye of Freddy Krueger!
The Living [Room] Dead: Halloween in the Heart of the Home
We already mentioned a couple of decorative accents you could add to this room, such as blankets, pillows, and rugs. But how about a lamp that casts a ghoulish glow upon your visitors? Or a mantelpiece with your favorite memories of the season enshrined in seasonal picture frames? Even small touches – like facing all of your Stephen King books outward or introducing an unusual plant – can help create an ominous atmosphere.
Although we’ve made references to some spine-chilling horror movies in this article, you might want to consider a “cute and cozy, family-friendly vibe” overall when it comes to your living room. As the most central home in the house and the most important when it comes to welcoming guests, you don’t want to overwhelm them with gory dioramas. For more information on catering to both kids and adults at Halloween, check out “34 Halloween Party Ideas & Spook-tacular Themes For Your Celebration.”
With this information in tow, you’re five steps closer to building your own Transylvanian castle or converting your attic into Halloween Town. If you have any other suggestions (or think there are parts of the house still in need of a Halloween touch), then let us know your tips and plans in the comments below. You can also take a look at our full range of Halloween posts, but reader beware, you’re in for a scare!
Eoin is a Content Specialist at Zazzle in Cork. He’s recently bought a house with his fiancée, and thus most of his time these days is spent trying to keep the walls from caving in and the wolves from the door. Still, he’s always open to book, game, and movie recommendations, so if you have some, let him know: he’ll add them to a very, very long list.
