Buyer’s Guide

Scary decor isn’t just for Halloween. Pumpkins, vampires, ghosts, spiders, and more can add a little fright to your home all year round. This buying guide will give you everything you need to know to decide on the best spooky decorating ideas to buy this season.

Type

There are many different types of popular spooky decorations. These can include:

Candles Doormats Fake cobwebs Fake tombstones Fog machines Inflatable arches Inflatable characters Outdoor animatronics Outdoor lights Pumpkins Spooky throw pillows Witch hats

Setup

Some spooky decorations arrive pre-assembled and can simply be displayed as they are. However, others require assembling, inflating, or lighting up before they are ready to display. These yard decorations may take time and effort to set up, especially if they need to be blown up.

Characters

Many pieces of the best Halloween decorations feature popular characters and creatures associated with horror and monster movies. These include:

Ghosts Ghouls Mummies Skeletons Spiders Vampires Werewolves Witches

Color

Many pieces of spooky decor feature the colors black and orange, inspired by the classic jack o’lantern. Other popular scary colors include green, purple, and white.

Indoor/Outdoor

Some scary decor pieces are suited for outdoor use so they can be seen by visitors to your home. Outdoor spooky decor should be water- and weather-resistant to prevent damage.

Tips for Preparing for Trick-or-Treaters This Halloween

Your spooky decor will be most appreciated on Halloween night when trick-or-treaters come to your home to show off their costumes and add candy to their baskets. Here are some important tips to keep in mind to ensure your home is as prepared as possible for trick-or-treaters this season.

Keep your walkways clear so it’s easy for trick-or-treaters to reach your door. If you have stairs leading up to your front door, increase your accessibility by leaving a basket of candy at the bottom of the steps for those unable to climb them. While you may want your decorations to be spooky, keep in mind you might get lots of young children coming to your place, so avoid any decorations that might be overly frightening. Be aware of where your pets are and keep them away from the door if they are aggressive or get scared easily of knocking or the doorbell ringing. Avoid using traditional candles and go with flameless candles instead to avoid a safety hazard. Keep other doors and windows to your house locked to keep out anyone looking to take advantage of a distracted homeowner on Halloween. Buy plenty of candy or treats so you won’t run out. After all, you can always keep the extras for yourself! Be ready to greet guests by sitting out on your front porch or being easily accessible when the doorbell rings. You can even sport your own creative Halloween costume to show off.

Can I put up my spooky decor all year round?

Yes! You can add a touch of fright and fun to your house anytime. Throwing a spooky party is a great idea any time of year.

How do I inflate my spooky decorations?

Many spooky decorations, such as large pumpkins or archways, need to be inflated before use. They also require an air blower to keep them constantly inflated and prevent drooping. Some pieces of scary decor come with a blower and pump, while others require you to purchase these items separately.

Will Halloween decorations scare children?

Some of these decorations can be scary, featuring elements like fake blood, monsters, or moving or screaming pieces. However, non-scary decorations do exist and are recommended if you have a lot of young children visiting your home. Non-scary decorations include pumpkins, cats, inflatable archways, candles, and friendly characters like smiling ghosts.

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This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations. To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.

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