Spooky Yet Chic Halloween Decor to Make Your Home Look Tastefully Terrifying

quavondo/iStock

When it comes to decorating for Halloween, you can take it in a number of different directions. Some people lean in to the spooky spirit of the holiday and make their homes look more haunted than humble. And we’re not here to judge. If you secretly love giant spiders, fake skeletons, and animatronic zombie hands, it’s your time to shine!

But if you’re looking for a way to bring the spooky vibes while also maintaining a level of elegance in your home, we’re here to point you in the right direction. Believe it or not, Halloween decor can actually be chic.

Drew Henry, founder of Design Dudes, doesn’t fill his home with shades of orange and black at Halloween time. Instead, he make his Halloween decor match his (already stylish) interiors.

“I use a lot of blues and teals at home, so I decorate with blue and teal ceramic pumpkins, which definitely makes for a classier look because my rooms aren’t disrupted with hard breaks in the flow of color,” he says.

Can’t find gourds in the exact shades you want? Spray-paint real pumpkins instead.

Some of our other experts are in favor of skipping orange decor entirely and embracing Halloween-adjacent hues like deep purple, forest green, or ghostly white. Lots of farm stands sell white pumpkins, so you could set up an all-white display along the fireplace mantel or in large glass apothecary jars.

“White is a surprising color at Halloween, but it’s also superchic and gives your home that popular Instagram vibe,” says Darla DeMorrow of HeartWork Organizing.

Accessorizing tables with clear jars of candy corn or black and white treats (M&M’s, jelly beans) is another classy way to decorate for the holiday.

“With glass containers, the candy is the focal point—and you get to eat your decorations later on,” says Jamie Novak, author of “Keep This Toss That.”

And don’t forget to use natural autumn elements like branches, gourds, or fresh apples.

“Natural decor is chic and goes way beyond the pumpkin patch,” says DeMorrow.

Dying to see more? Here are some haute Halloween-appropriate decor items to make your home look tastefully terrifying.

Silver skull

Silver is timeless, even on a skull.

Wayfair.com

This pick looks frightening ($30, Wayfair), but the coating gives it some shimmery cheer—and metallics are alway in style, even at Halloween. Place this creepy guy on a bookshelf or foyer table to scare (er, greet) your guests.

Removable dark wallpaper

Put up this black-on-black paper—and then take it down next month.

Tempaper

Are you curious about the black walls trend but afraid of the commitment? The fix: a roll of this removable wallpaper ($125, Tempaper) for some temporary but eerie flair.

Glass tumblers

Sip your potions from moody forest-green glasses.

Aerin.com

Planning on serving some frighteningly delicious cocktails at your annual Halloween bash? This Murano glassware ($150 for two, Aerin) is great for entertaining, and the verdant shade means you can bring this set out at Christmas, too.

Black candle

A Black Forest candle sounds creepy but smells amazing.

Amazon.com

You’re already planning on filling your home with candles this fall, so why not make it this one made of black wax ($39, Amazon)? The scent includes ebony wood, Douglas fir, and currants, which is the perfect musky mashup for Halloween time.

Black candlesticks

This trio works well on a sideboard or the mantel.

You can’t beat the price or the classic lines of this noir threesome ($25, Target). We recommend using classic white or black taper candles and letting the wax drip down the sides to set an eerie mood.

Spiderweb door mat

Smile big every time you wipe your boots on this web.

WorldMarket.com

This sweet mat ($13, WorldMarket) will be a hit with your kids—and you’ll secretly glow inside when they willingly use it before entering the house.

Cocktail glasses

Perfect for sipping your favorite boo-zy beverage.

WorldMarket.com

Bourbon—whether it’s neat or mixed in a cocktail—is a seasonal favorite, and it’ll feel more festive in these vintage-inspired glasses ($10, WorldMarket).

Ceramic hand

Continue your metallic theme with a gilt hand ($40, ZGallerie) that’s a little more macabre than other types of decorative objects you’d have in your home. It could also be used to hold a fedora or keep your necklaces in order.

Skull under glass

Another decorative object that toes the line between spooky and stylish.

Curiosities under a cloche have long been a part of home decor. Update your china cabinet or hutch with this nifty look that’ll probably freak you out from time to time ($26, Wayfair).

Black Persian-style runner

In a word: stunning

Crate and Barrel

Swap out your everyday runner for this black-toned beauty ($349 and up, Crate and Barrel) to bring a darker aesthetic to your hallway or kitchen. Made from hand-knotted New Zealand wool, this rug is clearly a quality item.

Apothecary jars

A smart trio that works in all seasons.

Every home should have a set of these jars ($65, Wayfair) because simple glass containers are eminently useful. Fill yours with air plants, mini Snickers bars, plastic spiders, or anything else that says, “Boo!”

Black cat print

Meow! Who’s that peeking at you?

Urban Outfitters

Some consider black cats a sign of bad luck, but we see good things in your future if you choose to hang this print with a simple cat silhouette ($49, Urban Outfitters). The clever minimalist design hits just the right Halloween note.

The post Spooky Yet Chic Halloween Decor to Make Your Home Look Tastefully Terrifying appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.