62 Outdoor Halloween Decorations That Make Your House the Best One on the Block
Get some seriously spooky curb appeal.
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When it comes to spooky season, we're all about outdoor Halloween decorations. Unlike Christmas or Thanksgiving, Halloween takes place mostly outside, so going big on your front porch or stoop is paramount. That's why we came up with more than 60 ideas to get you started. From cute pumpkins to horrifying graveyards, these outdoor Halloween decoration ideas that are actually easy to re-create.
Now, we know that Halloween is a holiday that embraces all things scary, but some of our top picks make a case for a more stylish approach. Otherwise, keep it on-theme with goblins, ghouls, and ghosts. No matter your style, you'll find something that speaks to you and your outdoor setup. Just don't wait too long to get started because once you decide which decoration vibe you want to go with, you likely won't want to be putting it together at the last minute. Luckily, most of our ideas won't take you too long—especially if you have some help.
So whether you're taking the kids trick-or-treating or staying home to hand out candy, you'll certainly get in the spirit with some of these outdoor Halloween decorations on display. The best part? You can probably make a few of these with materials you already have on hand. And just in case you don't, we included shopping links to our favorite DIY decor. So if you're feeling crafty, start your creative journey here. Just consider this your cheat sheet.
Stay Happy
Whoever said all outdoor Halloween decorations have to be scary is sorely mistaken. In fact, we are all for a pumpkin-heavy setup that's cheery above all else. All you need to do is snag a few planters with smiling jack-o-lantern designs, fill them with your favorite blooms, and call it a day. Otherwise, feel free to paint the designs on yourself.
Develop a Sixth Sense
If you have a patch of land you're willing to sacrifice for a terrifying Halloween decoration, this is a good idea. It's easy to miss, but anyone who takes a glance will surely panic.
Elevate Your Scheme
When we say elevate, we mean in terms of aesthetics and, well, literally. If you don't have a lot of ground space to spare for your outdoor Halloween decorations, use your window boxes as a perch for your carefully carved pumpkin.
Keep It Simple
This may look like a great fall vibe, which it is, but it doesn't require much effort. Simply plop a pumpkin (carved or not) beside a fall wreath and drape both with some faux webs.
Throw a Party
If you live in a place warm enough to host an alfresco Halloween fête, hang some string lights, banners, and more from the walls. Don't forget the pumpkin and hay motifs.
Take a Seat
This outdoor Halloween decoration might require more heavy lifting than the others, but the payoff is worth it. Trick-or-treaters will certainly approach with trepidation when they make eye contact with these spooky onlookers.
Bring on the Dogs
Don't leave your pets out (out of the fun, that is). Instead, drape some spare sheets over them and let them greet trick-or-treaters. We can't promise they'll bring the scare factor, but we can guarantee your house will be the most loved on the block.
Put Extra Pumpkins to Use
If you overdid it on the pumpkins, don't toss the extras. Paint them white, give them faces, and hang them from the porch. From afar, they'll look like flying ghouls.
Enlist the Kids
This spiderweb made of black-painted branches and twine is a fun craft project that artistic kids will love to take on. Once it's done, let them decorate it with leaves, faux spiders, or anything else that comes to mind.
Set Up a Ghost
Use your spare sheets, napkins, or tablecloths to erect a hyper-realistic (but also pretty cute) ghost in the backyard. Bonus points if you surround it with pumpkins.
Keep Out
If you already have a fence, you're already halfway there. Otherwise, buy a cheap one online along with some miniature plastic skulls and "keep out" signs.
Don't Descriminate
There are lots of pumpkins in various shapes and sizes, so instead of buying only the classic round ones, opt for a few different kinds and create a little community of gourds in the front yard. The options are pretty limitless.
Don't Get Up
Here's a low-effort, high-reward outdoor Halloween decoration option—especially if you already have lawn chairs. Just order a lazy skeleton and let him take a load off.
Create a Look
This stylish setup is equal parts chic and spooky. A delicate mix of flowers, colorful pumpkins, faux cobwebs, and skeletons creates that coveted cool look.
Set the Scene
Halloween and graveyards go hand in hand, so if you want to stay on theme, go big in your front yard. The best part? You can't really overdo it.
Use the Garage Door
If your garage faces the street, don't let it go to waste. Cover the door with a giant web complete with its own spider. Feel free to make both yourself or buy them premade to save some time ahead of the big day—or shall we say night?
Kale Us Crazy
Decorate with kale and corn? We think so. Fill miniature planters with the bright vegetable and surround them with pumpkins and tricolor corn.
Maximize Everything
Some people prefer decorating for Christmas, others like Thanksgiving, but for a select few Halloween is the holiday to go big on decor. If spooky season is your favorite, don't hold back. Hang lights, carve pumpkins, and drape faux cobwebs wherever you can.
Make Them Shriek
Here's how this one works: When the little ones approach, they'll see the pumpkins and maybe a fake black cat propping the door open and won't think much of it. Then, when their guard is down, someone jumps out in a scary mask and screams. Now that will haunt them forever.
Embrace Your Spidey Senses
Picket fences are great for Halloween, so if you happen to have one, go all out with signage, cobwebs, and more.
Kelly Allen is the Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she creates design, culture, and travel content online and in the magazine. She’s been on the team since 2019, writing features on dreamy TV sets and movie filming locations, in-depth city guides, and inspiring home tours. From researching ethereal estates to discovering can’t-miss set decoration details onscreen, she’s always eager to answer burning pop culture questions through a design lens. In her five-year career, she’s built a strong network of designers across disciplines to tap for their invaluable expertise. Her background includes honing reporting skills while tackling viral news for Delish and contributing to Cosmopolitan’s entertainment coverage. When she’s not watching every new film and TV show, she’s browsing vintage home stores, attending industry events, and wandering around New York City—highlighting it all on Instagram.
Janae McKenzie covers all things shopping for House Beautiful. As an associate shopping editor, she’s constantly scoping out the best finds for every part of your home. Janae holds an MA in journalism from the University of Missouri and has been published in Glamour, Food Network and Vox Magazine.
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s Associate Shopping Editor, a role she’s honed since joining the editorial team in September 2022. She routinely tests and reviews viral products, carefully curates timely gift guides, and taps her vast network of interior designers to weigh in on decorating debates that often have the Internet divided. Though most of her day-to-day is product focused, she also curates and publishes home tours, which are the types of features she has written throughout her eight-year career in previous roles at 1stDibs and Architectural Digest. In her current role as a shopping editor, Jess has mastered the art of swapping decor in and out of her own New York City apartment to fulfill her seemingly never-ending quest for the perfectly styled space.
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