Now that September is here, it’s time to start thinking about all things fall. We’ve talked a lot about how things shift around this time – and how much planning and prepping you have to do. There’s getting your kids ready for a new school year, adjusting to a more structured routine, and figuring out how to make busy days easier for everyone in your family.
So, now we’re switching gears to something less stressful and more enjoyable (like Halloween decor!). As much as I love helping you simplify all of the practical parts of parenting, I also love to remind you about all of the fun parts too.
I don’t know about you, but it makes me so happy to start thinking about upcoming holidays. Whether it’s decorating our house or baking yummy treats, the holidays are a great time to bring more joy into your life and create special family moments for your kids to look forward to.
This year, we are moving, and it’s been so tempting to buy a bunch of new Halloween decor for our house! But I’m also trying not to add to our packing list. So for now, I’ll just share some of my favorite ideas with you.
In my list below, you’ll find a mix of cute and spooky Halloween decorations, outdoor options (both big and small), and party decor you can use over and over again. If you love all things Halloween, check out my full list here for more ideas!
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Halloween Decorating Tips
One of the great things about Halloween is that it’s a pretty low-stress holiday. It can also be a fun, creative outlet for your whole family! If you need some ideas for how to decorate for Halloween, here are a few tips to help you get started.
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Focus on the fun. Halloween is the best time to break away from the ordinary and let your creativity take over! Whether you like scary Halloween decorations or cute and whimsical Halloween decor, anything goes this time of year.
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Match your decor — or not. Halloween decorations are just temporary, so it’s ok if all of the orange clashes with your existing decor! Or, you can create a more cohesive look with colors and textures that complement your current style (like rustic farmhouse, mid-century modern, or minimalist).
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Choose a focal point. If decorating feels overwhelming or you’re not sure where to start, choose one spot to focus on. This could be your mantel, entryway, porch, or yard.
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Mix it up with textures. This is an easy way to add depth and make your holiday displays more visually interesting. Choose decorations that are various heights and made of different materials. Think layered wreaths, pumpkins, candles, spiderwebs, 3D bats, and skeletons.
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Make simple switches. When in doubt, just swap out a few things! Replace pillows, candles, framed art, or flowers with Halloween designs or fall colors. A banner or garland is another easy way to celebrate a new season or holiday.
Halloween Decoration Ideas
From cute home decor to outdoor Halloween decorations, I’ve got a little bit of everything listed here for you! Just skip to the section you want ideas for — or check out all of my favorite Halloween ideas here.
Halloween Party Decor
Vintage Halloween Dessert Plates: Frightfully fun! These plates feature detailed Halloween designs and are perfect for serving up treats.
Halloween-Themed Cheese Spreaders: This set includes four spreaders, each with a unique, hand-painted handle.
Pumpkin Lantern String Lights: The right mix of cute and spooky! Make your Halloween party feel more festive with these string lights.
Halloween Table or Mantel Decor
Ghost Candles: A cute way to bring some spooky vibes into your home this Halloween!
Orange Tea Lights: These flameless candles are a safer way to create a fall-like atmosphere.
Light-Up “Boo” Sign: You can leave this sign standing or mount it on the wall.
Halloween Banner: I love that this banner is made of natural burlap, so it fits in easily with any of your Halloween decor.
Shop Amazon Halloween Decorations 👆
Halloween Wall Decorations
3D Bats: This set comes with four different sizes of bats — just stick, tape, and enjoy!
Countdown Calendar: Make the countdown to Halloween more fun and memorable for your kids! This is a cute keepsake you can bring out every year.
Boo Wall Sign: This vertical wall sign has a loop at the top for easy hanging. Perfect for any wall or door in your home.
Halloween Living Room or Bedroom Decor
Bat Pillow: If you’re looking for unique Halloween decor, this bat pillow is perfect! You can use it as a throw pillow or hang it up instead.
Pumpkin Latte Squishmallow: This soft stuffie would be a cute addition to your kid’s bed during the fall season.
Halloween Pillow Cover: This pillow cover makes it easy to switch up your home decor for Halloween.
Shop Target Halloween Decorations 👆
Halloween Kitchen Decor
Pumpkin Dish Towel: You all know how much I love Geometry towels! They have tons of fun pumpkin designs and other seasonal prints for fall.
Pumpkin Glasses: So cute for fall and perfect for all types of beverages. Bring them out for daily use or save them for a Halloween party.
Halloween Mugs: Halloween means there is plenty of extra hot chocolate around our house. These are the cutest Halloween mugs!
Halloween Decor for Porches
Pumpkin Lantern: Don’t love carving pumpkins? Decorate your porch (or entryway) with this light-up tin pumpkin instead.
Halloween Door Mat: Make your front porch more festive with this super cute door mat. I love the little ghosts, and the plaid pattern is perfect for fall.
Halloween Lanterns: Black lanterns are a classic porch decoration for Halloween. Not only are they weatherproof, but they have a 4-hour timer so you can set them to light up at the same time every day.
Faux Mums: If you want a more subtle decoration for the season, these faux mums look incredibly realistic — and the fall colors are gorgeous!
Outdoor Halloween Decorations
Spooky Ghosts: These decorations include battery-operated LED lights with a timer. Perfect for your front porch or yard.
Light-Up Spider Web: Love to go all out? This giant spider web features 150 lights in purple and orange with eight lighting modes and a timer.
Bat Wreath: A wreath is the quickest way to get your home ready for a new season. I like this one because it has great texture and detail, plus you can shape it to look how you want it to.
Garage Door Bats: A quick way to create spooky vibes! These magnetic bats are easy to place on your garage door — or you can put them on your fridge.
Solar Halloween Eyeball Lights: These Halloween lights will sway when the wind blows in the dark. They are great for the grass or your planters.
FAQ: Halloween Decor
When do you start decorating for Halloween?
The simplest answer is to start whenever you want! If your decorations are more fall-like, you can begin decorating as early as September and enjoy them through November.
What do you look for in Halloween decorations?
I lean toward cute decorations that go with my home decor, but I also look for decorations that will hold up well over time and are easy to set up and store away. It feels special to bring out the same decorations every year!
Are these decorations affordable?
Most of what I’ve listed here is between $10-$30, with a couple of items falling below or going over that range.
How can I save money on decorations for Halloween?
You could make your own decorations — cut out bats and ghosts from paper, paint pumpkins in different colors, or drape black fabric over a mantel or table. And you can look for sales! Many stores want to clear out their Halloween decor as it gets closer to the holiday. The day after is also a good time to grab stuff on sale for next year.
How do you store indoor and outdoor decorations?
Use clear bins or label bins so you can easily tell what’s inside, then store them away. Anything delicate or breakable can also be wrapped individually in paper or bubble wrap for extra protection.
More Ideas for Halloween Fun
My girls love Halloween, so we tend to decorate early. Even if your family isn't big on decorating for Halloween, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate the holiday. Here are a few more ideas:
- Read Halloween books
- Bake our favorite Halloween treats
- Watch Halloween movies
- Create boo baskets for Halloween
l'd love to hear how your family celebrates Halloween! Just comment below to share your favorite decorations and traditions.
