36 Stylish and Spooky Halloween Decorating Ideas
Customize your Halloween decor with pumpkin topiaries, glam mantels, glowing tabletops, wreaths and more
Vanessa Brunner
October 11, 2011
Houzz Contributor
Everyone seems to have a different mentality when it comes to Halloween decor. Some people are so into it they start buying discount decorations the morning of November 1. Others don't want to bother with carving a pumpkin.
But whether you've been planning your costume since last year or you're just going with the same old pair of black cat ears, there's bound to be something that fits your style in this eclectic mix of handmade Halloween decorations from Houzz users and creative bloggers.
But whether you've been planning your costume since last year or you're just going with the same old pair of black cat ears, there's bound to be something that fits your style in this eclectic mix of handmade Halloween decorations from Houzz users and creative bloggers.
Houzz user Donna Collins loves to change the look of her front porch from season to season, so making sure that things stay on a budget is important. "I try to keep my decor clean and simple, with a homemade feel."
The black frame, polka dot pillow, and orange throw are all fun and flexible accents that Collins found at IKEA. She made the burlap Halloween banner with a bolt of burlap fabric and a letter stencil.
The black frame, polka dot pillow, and orange throw are all fun and flexible accents that Collins found at IKEA. She made the burlap Halloween banner with a bolt of burlap fabric and a letter stencil.
To make each wreath, Collins (who uses her crafty skills at her party planning business) started with a styrofoam wreath from Joann's. She hot-glued strips of orange fabric to the wreath as she wrapped the fabric around. The rosettes were made by twisting 1 1/2 inch strips of fabric and hot-gluing them together. The spiders were purchased from Pier 1.
Houzz user Traci Watson gives her Halloween decor an antique twist. "I love the idea of mixing vintage nostalgia with natural elements," she says. "There's something so unpretentiously charming about it."
Watson twisted vines from her yard into a wreath, painted "Boo!" on scrap wood, and added a vintage photo and other accessories. "The old photo makes me think of the past — a distant relative or a boy that still haunts your memory," she says. "I wouldn't use a well known family member though — a stranger is more mysterious."
Watson twisted vines from her yard into a wreath, painted "Boo!" on scrap wood, and added a vintage photo and other accessories. "The old photo makes me think of the past — a distant relative or a boy that still haunts your memory," she says. "I wouldn't use a well known family member though — a stranger is more mysterious."
For something more low-maintenance to last throughout the season, stick with simple decor in warm autumn hues. This porch plays off of faux pumpkins and bright fall leaves.
A fireplace with a mantle is seems made for holiday vignettes. Use the ledge to display a DIY garland and glass candy jars, or line it with pumpkins and candles for a look that'll last through Thanksgiving.
Nothing makes you smile at Halloween more than a jack-o'-lantern (well, except for a giant pile of candy loot after trick or treating). For a simple and cheerful Halloween decoration, carve a few jack-o-lanterns for your gate …
… or a gaggle to sit down and welcome guests on your front porch.
Anna of Flower Garden Girl put decorative pumpkins on a post in her front door flower pots for an added punch of autumn decor. These quirky and simple pumpkin topiaries have been adorning front porches everywhere this season.
Kate from Centsational Girl painted beautiful Cinderella pumpkins with a bronze metallic glaze and accented them with fall ribbon and faux leaves and flowers.
Karen of Strictly Simple Style stacked pumpkins from her local pumpkin farm to create similar pumpkin topiaries.
Jess of Frugal with a Flourish created this metallic-toned fall wreath and pumpkin topiaries using a minimal budget. While she had most of the items around her home, pretty much everything can be found at your local craft store at a very low price. Faux leaves were given a shimmer of metallic spray paint and applied to a wreath base, and mini faux pumpkins were given the same treatment for the small pumpkin topiaries.
Torie Jayne loves to change out the objects in her vintage-style curio cabinet. This year she is going with a theme of black, white, silver and pink. Bottles of beads and sequins, flashy skull charms, and funky pink-and-black ribbon spools give this cute display a pop of Halloween glam.
Houzz user Jacqueline Arroyo transformed her front entryway into a graveyard with styrofoam tombstones and a gauzy canopied entrance.
Arroyo littered her front porch with just about everything to do with Halloween, including giant fake bugs on top a piece of broken pottery. "The nice thing about Halloween is that even broken, dirty, or unusable pieces work in the decor," she says. "It all adds to the spookiness factor."
This little black and white entryway display gives Halloween a classic twist. Katrina Giles of Seaside Interiors loves "to change things up with the seasons with simple and inexpensive little touches," she says. "I find it gives my home a fresh and welcoming feel throughout the year."
Giles used striped ramekins from her kitchen as mini stands for white petite pumpkins. Letter decals on the pumpkins spell out a holiday greeting.
A little ribbon trim and a chipboard spider (applied with a swab of double-stick tape) dress up this mason jar for Halloween festivities in Giles' house. Best of all, everything can be easily removed to put the jar back to kitchen duty after the holiday.
Here, Giles used an old frame, a little scrapbook paper, and some letter decals to make a cheerful sign to welcome Halloween visitors.
Giles applied a letter decal set from her local craft store to a simple black vase for her living room mantel. It's a simple piece that can be used each year, and can be accented with different florals and ribbons.
Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick used removable silhouettes of mice and mouse holes from Martha Stewart on her newly finished stairwell. These are perfect for Halloween when paired with mini pumpkins and glowing votive candles.
We've talked about Houzz user Mel Mac's fantastic photo wall before, but we had no idea that she changed out the decor for holidays.
"I wanted to add some Halloween to my house without going the traditional route of pumpkins and leaves and such," she says. "The frames were already there with other items, so it was a no-brainer to switch them out and add silhouettes."
By using Sure Cuts A Lot software and her super handy Cricut, Mel Mac made these nifty cutouts from black scrapbook paper and a few fun images online. The bold black and white contrasts perfectly with her gray walls (Benjamin Moore's Asphalt).
"I wanted to add some Halloween to my house without going the traditional route of pumpkins and leaves and such," she says. "The frames were already there with other items, so it was a no-brainer to switch them out and add silhouettes."
By using Sure Cuts A Lot software and her super handy Cricut, Mel Mac made these nifty cutouts from black scrapbook paper and a few fun images online. The bold black and white contrasts perfectly with her gray walls (Benjamin Moore's Asphalt).
"Because we live in a neighborhood with lots of children, I like to decorate the outside of our home to create a welcoming holiday environment," Elisabeth Secosky of EASYDesigns says.
Inspired by nature's fall bounty, Secosky used fall leaves, various pumpkins and gourds, Indian corn, and a scattering of Halloween props to decorate the area outside her front door. On Halloween night, she lights up the porch with loads of Halloween tea lights for a spooky vibe.
Inspired by nature's fall bounty, Secosky used fall leaves, various pumpkins and gourds, Indian corn, and a scattering of Halloween props to decorate the area outside her front door. On Halloween night, she lights up the porch with loads of Halloween tea lights for a spooky vibe.
If you're super excited for the October 31, try going for something a little more glam and dress up a few skulls with black paint and glitter and put your candelabras over a runner of ripped gauze.
Of course, your Halloween decor can veer more towards simple and understated as well. AB Chao just put out a simple arrangement of white miniature pumpkins in a kettle-shaped copper bowl. It's elegant and chic and still feels like Halloween.
Karen of Strictly Simple Style used white pumpkins in the entryway of her home. The stylish use of nail heads on the pumpkin is a chic way to add to its decorative value without having to deal with the mess of carving a jack-o-lantern.
This designer piled pumpkins in gray/green and white on a countertop for a elegant display.
If you're looking for something even simpler, put an assortment of gourds from your farmer's market into a rustic vase and call it a day.
Mini pumpkins were hollowed out and punched with holes to create dramatic lanterns for an outdoor table.
The same effect was used on this larger pumpkin pumpkin display. This adult version of a jack-o'-lantern is simple, but makes a bold statement when lit up.
Houzz user Vel Criste wanted her dining room to look Halloween glam. Criste already had the mirrors and lamps (she just switched in some orange bulbs), and bought everything else from the Dollar Store or on clearance last year.
"It's mostly just for fun. I like doing it, and I love the expressions on my kids' faces when I reveal the décor to them," says Criste. "I mean, the only time they really appreciate my décor is during Halloween. When I hear them say 'Wow' and 'I'm so excited for Halloween,' I've succeeded already."
Criste wrapped creepy black fabric around her chandelier and window. Every other piece she either had on hand or bought on sale.
For Shelley Smith of The House of Smiths, Halloween decor is meant to be fun and cheeky — easy, cute, and free of any blood and guts.
She made almost everything in this display on her own (all of which can be purchased via her store), and everything else was snagged from thrift shops and dollar stores.
The plates were all simple white plates with handmade vinyl decals, and the Halloween "subway" art is another of her own designs.
She made almost everything in this display on her own (all of which can be purchased via her store), and everything else was snagged from thrift shops and dollar stores.
The plates were all simple white plates with handmade vinyl decals, and the Halloween "subway" art is another of her own designs.
The cute candy tray was a great excuse for her children to get involved — Smith's 4-year-old twins had a blast coming up with silly names for this Halloween candy display.
Smith made labels by printing out text in a funky font, pasting it onto brown scrap paper, and burning the edges for an antique touch.
Smith made labels by printing out text in a funky font, pasting it onto brown scrap paper, and burning the edges for an antique touch.
For an easy Halloween tabletop, pick pumpkins of any size, hollow them out, and insert small vases filled with water and your favorite fall floral arrangements.
Believe it or not, this adorably decorated space is actually a miniature room designed and created by Melissa Cabral of Super Junk.
A lover of all things miniature, Cabral creates miniature rooms and scenes with incredible precision and detail — including this perfectly retro room.
Your turn! Show us what you're doing this Halloween to glam up or spookify your space in the Comments below.
More:
9 Easy Ways to Decorate With Autumn Leaves
25 Favorite Halloween Decorations from the Fall Catalogs
Halloween Style for Your Kitchen
Pick Up Some White Pumpkins for Elegant Fall Decorating
A lover of all things miniature, Cabral creates miniature rooms and scenes with incredible precision and detail — including this perfectly retro room.
Your turn! Show us what you're doing this Halloween to glam up or spookify your space in the Comments below.
More:
9 Easy Ways to Decorate With Autumn Leaves
25 Favorite Halloween Decorations from the Fall Catalogs
Halloween Style for Your Kitchen
Pick Up Some White Pumpkins for Elegant Fall Decorating
Related Stories
Houzz Call
Houzz Call: Show Us the Stunning Snowy Scenes Near Your Home
Please share the best pictures of your home and garden in winter
Full Story
Christmas
Houzz Readers Share Their Christmas Trees
By Becky Harris
These 25 trees are infused with memories and holiday cheer
Full Story
Winter Gardening
Last-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs
Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks
Full Story
Housekeeping
A Clean Home for the Holidays in 5 Days
Follow this guide to get your house clean before the festivities begin and your guests arrive
Full Story
Fun Houzz
Houzz Cats Get Into the Holiday Spirit
By Becky Harris
Houzz readers’ feline family members love the Christmas tree, the tree skirt and even the rolls of wrapping paper
Full Story
Decorating Guides
14 Easy Last-Minute Holiday Decorating Ideas
These festive decorations for doors, windows, stairs and tables can be created quickly
Full Story
Decluttering
5 Ways to Avoid Holiday Season Burnout
By Patricia Lee
You can enjoy the traditions and activities that matter to you and let go of the rest
Full Story
Fall and Thanksgiving
10 Easy Ways to Give Your Entryway and Front Yard a Holiday Boost
Make your entry inviting this season with decorations, lighting, furniture and more
Full Story
Christmas
Houzz Call: Show Us Your Christmas Tree!
By Becky Harris
Please share your favorite Christmas tree traditions and stories, and post your photos
Full Story
Powder Rooms
10 Things to Enhance Your Powder Room for the Holidays or Anytime
Treat yourself and your guests to one of these special touches for the powder room
Full Story
http://mosaicdubai.com/
Please, for the love of furniture, stop putting real pumpkins on wood surfaces. They deteriorate and eat the finish off your wood. Had to refinish a my favorite breakfast room table, to fun and very expensive