What To Know About Halloween Decor: When To Decorate, How To Repurpose Decor And More (2025)

First things first, how early should you start decorating for Halloween? There are a few factors that go into your Halloween decor timeline, from personal preference to the vibe of your neighborhood.

In general, decorating during the first week of October is a good place to start. That way, you’ll have a month to enjoy your spooky home. Decorating the exterior of your home will also signal to trick-or-treaters that your home will be ready for them on the 31st. If you prefer a shorter timeline, decorate in the middle of the month instead. You might also take cues from your neighbors and check in to see when they start decorating. Enthusiasts may start as early as September! One thing to keep in mind, though, is that there are no strict rules. Do what feels right for you and your family.

As you pull out last year’s Halloween decorations, you may find that you want to repurpose them or give them a new creative twist. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Plastic pumpkins are perfect for DIY projects. You can spray paint them new colors or decorate them with acrylic paint.
• If you have time and patience, turn a skull into a disco ball by gluing mirrored tile strips to it. It’s sure to be a groovy addition to your home.
• Wreaths are another decor item that works great for DIYers. If you have an autumn wreath, turn it into a Halloween wreath by adding spooky elements. Try including orange and black ribbons, featuring plastic spiders or small Halloween-themed figurines, and even adding a string of purple and orange lights.

1. Mix Up Your Mantel

The mantel is a fantastic spot in your home to switch up seasonally, especially for Halloween. It’s perfect for displaying decor, like autumn garland, candle sticks and spooky touches like black cheesecloth over a mirror. Don’t forget the bottom of the mantel as well. Decor that rests on the floor can include large lanterns or ghost figurine, as shown here.

2. Add Subtle Spooky Touches

The theme of your Halloween decorations can range anywhere from lighthearted to traditional, and you don’t necessarily need to go all out in order for your home to be festive. Indoor decorations can include small pumpkins on coffee tables, a festive catch-all dish like the spider shown here, or seasonal art, either for your frame TV or your walls. If you’re not sure where to start, grab a few pumpkins on your next grocery store trip and display them throughout your home or on your porch.

3. Don’t Forget the Kitchen

You may think Halloween decorations are for the main living areas of your home, but the kitchen is often an overlooked spot for seasonal decor. We tend to gather in the kitchen, so why not add some decor here as well? Place Halloween signs on your kitchen counters, or swap out your utensil holder for something a little more festive. Designer Melissa Parada included a small witch’s broom and spiders in her kitchen, giving the walls an eerie effect.

4. Be a Bit Batty

A simple but incredibly effective Halloween decor trick is adding small, cut-out bats to your wall. These bats can go anywhere, from mantels to bedrooms. Give yourself time to decorate with these little bats—they each require a small bit of tape or wall adhesive, which can prove to be a bit tedious. However, the effect is well worth the effort. Here, designer Kara Bowman includes bats behind her sofa, as well as a few other pieces of tasteful Halloween decor, like the skull and ravens on the coffee table. Black taper candles are the finishing touch—making this living room the perfect spot for a scary movie night.

5. Have Fun With Outdoor Decor

Decorating the exterior of your home for Halloween is arguably the most fun part of the holiday. Since a huge part of Halloween is trick-or-treating, feel free to go wild setting the scene on your porch or in your front yard. To start small, gather a few pumpkins and add a festive wreath to your door. From there, consider adding lighting, like purple and orange string lights. To really go big, add larger pieces of decor like skeletons, gravestones or other signage to create a Halloween tableau. To create an especially impactful trick-or-treat experience, don’t forget to add some sound. Halloween-themed playlists can be found on streaming platforms, which can also include spooky sound effects.