October sneaks up fast, and before you know it, you're scrambling for a way to make your home feel like it belongs on a pumpkin spice candle label—or in a haunted house. Whether you're team "cute pumpkins" or team "full-on haunted house," there’s no reason your home can’t do both.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links which means I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!
We’ve rounded up 22 fall and Halloween home decoration ideas that are equal parts cozy and spooky. These are easy to pull off, don’t require a professional decorator, and most importantly—they’ll make your space feel like autumn magic just walked in the front door. Let's Chet into ideas you'll want to try this weekend.
Rustic, earthy, and 100% fall. A corn husk garland draped over your door frame instantly says "harvest season." Pair it with a few hay bales or mums for extra charm. If you want a Halloween twist, add a few black crows or fake spiders.
Stacked pumpkins in descending sizes create a welcoming vertical accent. You can use real or faux pumpkins—mix orange, white, and even sage green for a chic fall palette. Secure them with dowels or skewers if you’re outside. Add a witch hat on top for Halloween flair.
These are oddly magical and super simple. Hang a few black witch hats from the ceiling using clear fishing line to make them look like they're levitating. Ideal for entryways or above a dining table. Bonus: tuck in some LED tealights to make them glow.
Dress your dining or coffee table with a natural burlap runner and line it with mini pumpkins, pinecones, and acorns. It’s understated but pulls the season into the room instantly. Choose white and green gourds for a more neutral vibe.
Black paper silhouettes (think cats, witches, bats) taped to your windows look dramatic from the outside. Especially effective at night with lights on inside. They’re cheap, fun to make, and totally customizable. You can even add googly eyes for a touch of humor.
Cut out simple bat shapes from black cardstock and hang them in clusters. Make them "fly" across a wall or ceiling for a creepy effect. For extra impact, place them near a light source so they cast shadows.
Swap out bright lights for faux candles in lanterns. Use black or rust-colored lanterns to match the fall theme. Add a few dried leaves or moss at the base. For Halloween night, switch to blood-red lighting.
Every porch needs a personality. Add a full-size skeleton sitting in a rocking chair (or wheelbarrow) to create a scene. Dress it up—maybe it’s reading a book or sipping fake wine. Quirky scenes like this draw smiles from trick-or-treaters.
Dress your mantel with a mix of fall garlands, faux cobwebs, and tiny skulls or ravens. Switch out photos for vintage-looking portraits (bonus points for “haunted eyes”). This zone is perfect for balancing elegance and eerie.
Nothing screams Halloween like a giant spider web across your yard. Use thick white rope or stretchy webbing and anchor it between trees or your porch posts. Place a huge spider in the center, obviously.
This one’s for your sofa or reading nook. Switch out summer colors for rich oranges, mustards, and browns. Texture matters—think cable-knit, fleece, or velvet. Even without Halloween decor, this makes your home feel instantly autumnal.
Find a thrift store mirror with an ornate frame (the more dramatic, the better). Spray-paint it black if needed. Add faux cobwebs, mini spiders, and a cryptic message written in lipstick or paint pen. Creepy and classy.
Stack old books with worn covers and faded pages on tables or shelves. Wrap them with labels like “Witch’s Spells” or “Potion Recipes.” Add dried flowers or bones on top. They make great filler in Halloween vignettes.
Line your walkway with lit jack-o’-lanterns or pumpkin-shaped solar lights. Mix friendly and scary faces for personality. These double as functional lighting and decor. And yes, you can totally carve fake pumpkins!
Clear jars filled with creepy contents—eyeballs (ping pong balls), green slime (gelatin), or candy corn—look amazing on kitchen counters. Label them like potions. Add a raven statue beside it for full effect.
Skip the sweet and go dark. A wreath made of twigs, feathers, fake bones, and a black bow looks sharp on any front door. You can even spray-paint it matte black for drama.
Stake a few foam gravestones, scatter bones, and maybe install a motion-activated zombie hand. Fog machines kick this up a notch. Great for night-of-the-dead energy without overwhelming your whole lawn.
Collect old wine bottles, spray them black or deep plum, and add taper candles. Let the wax drip naturally for that aged castle vibe. Great for dining room tables or mantels.
Use a tiered tray to build mini vignettes: mini pumpkins, tiny cauldrons, skulls, or candy jars. This is great for small apartments or kitchens. Swap in seasonal mugs or figurines each week.
Inject humor with framed quotes like “It’s just a bunch of Hocus Pocus” or “Creep it real.” Mix these in with other seasonal art. Free printables online make this a quick win.
You’re not really Halloween-ready without this. Fill a big black cauldron with candy (or faux bones if you’re early in the season). Let kids scoop with skeleton tongs. It sets the mood and saves you scrambling on the 31st.
When in doubt, go all in on pumpkins. Big ones, baby ones, real or fake—stack them, carve them, paint them. Create a pumpkin patch vibe on your porch or even in your living room corner. They’re the undisputed MVP of fall decorating.