- Halloween decorations can sometimes feel cheesy or over the top, but you don’t have to sacrifice style for festivity.
- Insider spoke to Highlyann Krasnow, founder and creative director of The Design High, and Sara Ianniciello, design director of Whitehall Interiors, about where to find chic Halloween decorations.
- Among their recommendations are Pottery Barn glass pumpkins, a West Elm skull decanter, and Terrain gold candleholders paired with black candles.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Most people think of bright orange pumpkins and skeletons when it comes to Halloween decorations, but there are ways to celebrate the spookiest day of the year with style still in mind.
Insider spoke to Highlyann Krasnow, founder and creative director of The Design High, and Sara Ianniciello, design director of Whitehall Interiors, about their favorite chic Halloween decorations currently on the market.
Among their recommendations are subtle gothic decor, like a skull decanter from West Elm and Terrain gold candleholders paired with black candles.
These are the 17 chic Halloween decorations your home needs.
Black candles are eye-catching, festive, and chic.
"Halloween can be a fun time of the year to bring out your dark side and still keep it sophisticated," said Ianniciello, who recommends pairing black candles with gold holders to strike that balance.
Cost: $20 a small candlestick on Terrain; $14.99 for a 12-pack of black candles on Amazon
Rather than using real gourds, you can incorporate glass pumpkins into your space for an updated holiday look.
Pumpkins are the emblem of Halloween, but real gourds can often look cheesy. Ianniciello recommends these glass options, which allow you to stick to tradition but still stay stylish.
"Anyone can add a luxe touch to their home this spooky season," she added.
Cost: $29.50 for a large pumpkin on Pottery Barn
This wood welcome mat is celebratory yet unique.
The reclaimed wooden material sets this welcome mat by ABW Frames apart. The simplistic design makes it feel modern, and you can personalize it with the color scheme and Halloween icon of your choosing.
Cost: $59.99 on Etsy
You can also express your love for Halloween through tableware.
"You can switch out your everyday flatware and decanter with gothic tableware accessories to add an edgy and dark twist," said Krasnow.
Williams-Sonoma's shade skull decanter combines style and spookiness, making it the perfect drink accessory for October.
Cost: $119.95 on Williams-Sonoma
Black flatware is another unexpected and subtle way to bring the spirit of Halloween into your home.
Both designers recommended this West Elm flatware set, as the surprising black color is ideal for a Halloween dinner.
"We love adding subtle accessories to our home during Halloween. Used alone they can work year-round, but when grouped together they look festive," said Krasnow.
Cost: $31.20 for a five-piece set on West Elm
Leaf lights feel more whimsical than standard orange lights.
Orange Halloween lights can sometimes look cheesy, but these gold leaf-shaped lights from Pier 1 Imports give the illusion of a glowing tree. Hang them in your front yard, or use them as a colorful decor piece on your mantle.
Cost: $14.99 for a string of lights on Pier 1 Imports
These stemless glasses have a subtle pumpkin shape, combining stylish glassware with holiday fun.
Swap the plastic orange wine glasses for these pumpkin-shaped stemless glasses from Pier 1 Imports for your next Halloween party. They're sophisticated, yet still festive.
Cost: $2.98 for a glass on Pier 1 Imports
A geometric wreath nods to pentagrams and all things witchy.
West Elm's glitter geometric wreath feels subtly spooky because of its shape, and will pair well with the glass pumpkins or lanterns.
You can also keep it for the winter, when it can work as a star during the holidays.
Cost: $23.20 on West Elm
Miniature dried pumpkins offer another chic way to use gourds for decor.
Pottery Barn's dried pumpkins will last you through October since they've already been treated, and you can create a one-of-a-kind centerpiece. Pair them with your new dark tableware for a Halloween party.
Cost: $11.50 for a set of 15 pumpkins on Pottery Barn
This moon lamp conjures images of werewolves and other things that go bump in the night during spooky season.
This Urban Outfitters moon lamp has a mystical edge, but it leads with its cool aesthetic. Use it to light up your Halloween party.
Cost: $59 on Urban Outfitters
You might not even spot the skull on this cake stand at first glance, but it will be a hit at your costume party.
The skull engraved at the bottom of this porcelain cake stand from Target gives it a Halloween twist, but it still looks classic and stylish thanks to the white design and curved edging.
Cost: $20 on Target
You could also opt for pumpkins in an unexpected hue to keep things fresh.
People expect to see orange pumpkins galore throughout October, which is what makes these pale green terracotta gourds by K&K Interiors so enchanting. The subtle layer of glitter on top makes them even more fun to look at.
Cost: $35.99 for a pumpkin on Nordstrom
Black lanterns can double as an investment in both your outdoor space and Halloween decor.
These Terrain lanterns are basic outdoor lights, but they can become sinister with a little finesse.
"You can make them look spooky by covering them in cobwebs or use them for an outdoor dinner party," Krasnow told Insider.
Cost: $66 on Terrain
Fans of "Beetlejuice" will pick up on your Halloween vibes instantly with this black-and-white tablecloth.
This tablecloth by USTID has Halloween written all over it. From the print that looks like Beetlejuice's pants to the slightly sinister color palette, your guests will get into the scary spirit as soon as they see this decor item.
Cost: $25.99 on Amazon
The spider puts a Halloween twist on these marble coasters.
Another understated decor piece, these coasters by TheLeakyPaintPot offer holiday fun in a small dose. The black-and-white color scheme keeps them from feeling cheesy, and you can use the coasters for parties or a midweek nightcap.
Cost: $30.95 for a set of four on Etsy
The aged look of these books is sophisticated, but the titles add a Halloween punch.
These macabre book covers created by Etsy seller South House Boutique will make your house feel like Dr. Frankenstein's laboratory. The aged appearance and supernatural subjects make them an ideal Halloween accent.
Cost: $12 for three book covers on Etsy
These candy corn ombre trees are stylish and nod to the Halloween Christmas tree trend.
Halloween Christmas trees have been a popular October decor item for the past few years, but these Creative Co-Op trees sold at Nordstrom offer a more chic way to bring the trend into your home. They have an orange color scheme that looks like candy corn, so they're clearly perfect for Halloween.
Cost: $67.99 for a set of three on Nordstrom
- Read more:
- 8 Halloween decorations an interior designer would buy at Dollar Tree right now
- People are pulling out their Christmas trees early to start decorating for Halloween
- The 13 best things to buy from West Elm's Halloween collection that could work in your apartment year-round
- These are the spookiest Airbnbs you can stay in for Halloween