When the North Texas heat hangs out past summer, putting up fall decor is one of the best ways to herald the new season. And before you turn to Thanksgiving-themed additions, give your house a dose of Halloween spirit. We searched for indoor and outdoor decorations at a variety of price points — so whether you’re going for lighthearted or spooky, yours can be the house the trick-or-treaters remember.
Lawn and sidewalk decorations for Halloween
Set a spooky scene with lawn decorations that direct candy seekers to your door. Pottery Barn’s light-up ghosts will be spotted from afar and show the way to your door. Or go for a classic Halloween look with these jack-o’-lantern pathway lights from Balsam Hill. Skeleton arm pathway lights from Target offer another option; for a similar look on a larger scale, try this display of a 4-foot-tall skeleton emerging from the ground, courtesy Tractor Supply Co.
Cast shadows with clever silhouettes of a witch and black cat from Balsam Hill. A lawn spotlight (snag that solar-powered version at Home Depot) set in front of the silhouettes will display the decoration on the facade of your home. You can also create the illusion of a spellbinding gathering with hand-holding witches from Grandin Road.
Halloween porch decorations
Terrain’s rattan bats offer a creepy scene and an on-trend material; set them out or hang them from the top of your porch. For an overhead alternative, get these witch hats from Target and suspend them with clear fishing line to give the illusion that they are floating.
While you can find all matter of fall wreaths at home decor shops, spooky ones in moody hues offer something special for Halloween. Crate & Barrel has a spooky black branch wreath for an eerie look, and Michael’s has a more affordable version. Add some Gothic flair with a World Market wreath that features Halloween-themed florals and a skeleton.
If spooky isn’t your thing, a life-size figure of a dog decked out in a ghost costume from Balsam Hill could be the perfect addition to your porch. The hollow basket can be used to store candy for trick-or-treaters, too.
Halloween string lights
String lights are an easy way to add a festive look. Harry Potter floating candle string lights from Pottery Barn evoke a creepy — and somehow cozy — environment. Try suspending them over your fireplace mantel or above the dinner table for an especially festive look. For more affordability, try the Michael’s version.
Here are a few more string light options, from fun to frightful: black cats, a ghost-pumpkin-bat-spider combo, purple eyeballs (all from Amazon) and creepy doll heads from Oriental Trading Co.
Indoor Halloween decorations
Don’t forget to add some Halloween flair to the inside of your house, too. Georgia artist Mollie Jenkins creates pottery ghosts to layer on your mantel or tabletop. Start a collection with one of the sets and add to it each year — soon you’ll have a cluster of Casper-like characters. If skulls are more your Halloween thing, this gilded baroque piece by Lisa Carrier Designs is sure to please. (And it’s so fancy, we just might leave it out all year long.)
Grandin Road felt bats affixed over a doorway, along a wall or scattered around your art collection create a spooky feel. We also like this jack-o’-lantern black cat pillow from Pottery Barn. If you’re more of a dog person, no problem — Pottery Barn offers this pup pillow, too.
Want some decor that will stay relevant after Oct. 31? Soft, cozy and luxurious velvet pumpkins by Hot Skwash (sold at Neiman Marcus) will carry your decor from Halloween through Thanksgiving.
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