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Whether you’re in the balmy climes of Florida or the cool fall temperatures of New England, we all have one thing in common this time of year: Halloween!
And while parents everywhere pitch their child’s costume ideas (and try to avoid those last-minute stressors), we in the interior design community are channeling all the haunted vibes right into our houses. That’s right, it’s time to transform our normally stately homes into the spooky haunts we know they can be.
Fear not: Halloween decor doesn’t have to be all witches, skeletons and screaming bats (although we’re not mad at those over-the-top decorations!). If you’re looking for something a little calmer this fall, we’ve found everything that can satisfy your holiday decorating cravings, minus the chintz.
$99.50 at Grandin Road
Set a ghostly tone with this tattered cotton cheesecloth scarf that can be draped over your mantle, sideboard, table, or even stair railings this Halloween.
Turn your fall dinner party into a spooky affair with this lace tablecloth that evokes a massive spider web. It can be used alone or layered over another color to really show off every spooky detail. More to know: It also comes in a runner.
Fashion-forward, spooky and beautiful all at once, this black feather wreath from Michaels is a stylish way to adorn a doorway in your home this Halloween season.
It’s not really Halloween if you don’t have a few skulls in play, is it? Right. We love this silly set of three, emulating the old adage “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”, and think they’re perfect for mantels and coffee tables. Plus, they’re candle holders so you can really pop them with your best flickering flames.
Keep the dread going with this web serving platter. Besides having a festive vibe, the raised edges of this plate also help prevent any spooky spills or stains from spoiling the fun.
Your bartender for the season? He’s not very talkative. But it makes the wine flow! Trust us, this bottle holder is going to be one of your new favorite decorations.
If you’re looking for a subtle piece with a seriously high spook factor, look no further than these spine shaped candles. The set includes three handmade candles that look like bones that melt when lit. Say it with us: “Ew!”
Want to throw the most stylish Halloween party ever? This stunning punch bowl will ensure you succeed. Crafted from mouth-blown glass, the bowl from Williams Sonoma — which is equally adept at kid-friendly house punches and adult-only cocktails — comes with six gold-rimmed glasses.
$99.50 at Grandin Road
Halloween isn’t complete without a skeleton and we love this glam gold option from Grandin Road. Life-size at 5 feet tall, the skeleton is fully poseable from head to toe, meaning you can position him at the piano or on the rocking chair on your porch, or pose him enjoying a cocktail at the dining table. the dining room.
A more modern take on the faux pumpkin, this decorative sculpture from Target can blend seamlessly into any decor, from your mantle to your kitchen table and anywhere in between.
Start your day with a glowing pumpkin with this mug. This functional decorative piece can travel to any room in your home, instantly giving it a bit of spooky charm.
How do you prove your Halloween prowess knows no bounds? With an utterly odd succulent planter, that’s how it is. This one’s dark, creepy eyes will seemingly follow you wherever you go. The best part? The plant is fake and maintenance free!
Don’t let the darkness spoil the beauty of your crown. This light garland will warmly welcome all your guests.
Kids and adults alike look forward to Halloween, which is why this “countdown” block is a fun addition to your decor. Keep a “The Nightmare Before Christmas” themed room year round as you count down the days until Halloween is finally here. Bonus: The block comes with a Christmas sign, which means you can count down to that other great holiday too.
If you’re an 80s babe, then you’re safe to say you’re still terrified of ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ villain Freddy Kreuger – and you can channel that terror right into your home now, thanks to this Elm Street sign ! Place it on a shelf, above a bathroom or really anywhere you want to scare yourself, your family or your guests.
Diptyque makes some of the most delicious candles in the business, and we dig the moody vibes of the Baies/Berries scent that smells of roses and cassis leaves. Sizes from 10 to 51 ounces come in a matte black glass container that will perfectly accent the rest of your Halloween decor.
Sometimes you just need a few spooks to get you into the Halloween spirit, and this simple white ensemble will do the job. Each includes an on/off button and requires three AA batteries to glow – wherever you place these cuties, they’ll spark seasonal cheer.
$39.50 at Grandin Road
Keep everyone on their toes this Halloween with this hilarious battery-operated crawling hand. The perfect mantle and shelf filler, the hand also makes a great and surprising centerpiece!
We love the glitz and circumstance of this official sign – let your guests know they’re about to enter a haunted house!
$5 at target
If you don’t like macabre, darker decor, set the tone for your dinner party with these plaid placemats from Target – they’re subtle enough to stay on your table all season long. If you want to enhance the festive character of your place, also add these cute jack-o’-lantern cloth napkins to your cart.
What we know: Williams Sonoma’s soap and lotion sets are the best whether you have them in your kitchen, powder room, or master bath! And we’re really thrilled that they come in a Halloween-appropriate scent, smelling of fresh pumpkin, butter and brown sugar mixed with notes of creamy vanilla, toasted pecans and warm spices housed in a counter basket. Stainless steel. The set is something you’ll want to use all year round.
Maybe it’s technically an outdoor setting, but either way, let your guests know ahead of time – no, up front – that they’re about to enter an outdoor setting. Halloween with this totally gorgeous fall wreath. Weatherproof and made from thousands of faux seed berries, the brightly colored wreath comes in five sizes and comes from ElegantWreath, a retailer with over 38,000 sales and 6,800 positive reviews.
Have an empty wall that needs a little filling? Let these bats do the work for you this Halloween season. Whether you’re looking to arch them above a window or cluster them above a fireplace, flying bats take on an artistic look when gathered en masse on your walls. It’s true, we said it, bats are beautiful!
Not all Halloween decor needs to be spooky, which is exactly why we love this felt ball garland so much. Reusable for years to come, the garland has a modern vibe that will add a festive tone to your mantel, shell, or doorway!
$39.50 at Grandin Road
Got a bowl that needs filling? Look no further than this set of eight eyeballs from Grandin Road. Part fancy, part spooky, the glowing eyeballs – FYI: Each ball has two eyes, one in the front and one in the back – are super artistic and will look totally stunning as a centerpiece or vase filler.
We just found your candy bowl for treats, and uh, yeah, you’re going to be using it all year. Crafted in Mexico from terra cotta in the color black, the 11-inch bowl is accented with mini skulls that will add just the right amount of spookiness to your Halloween.