For some people, Halloween means watching scary movies all night or getting an extra piece of candy. But what if you're really into interior design? It's time to let your creative side out with some decorations.
But don't get me wrong; there's more to your Halloween decorations than just putting up the same leafy garland and broomstick every year. There are actually Halloween trends that change from year to year, just like with other things.
You're in luck if you want to make your home both spooky and modern this year. Here, designers talk about the Halloween decorations that are going to be all over the place this year. Get ideas for how to use them.
A Moody Moment
Sarah Evans of Inside Stories, a Colorado-based company, predicts that people who love to decorate will finally say, "enough with orange." "Get rid of the clichés, enjoy the season's richness, and let your decorations say 'elegant Halloween' instead of 'haunted house.'"
Lauren Saab says to use jewel tones like deep purple and rich green instead. "The Texas designer says, "These hues have range." "They look good in both modern and traditional settings, and they go with what's already in the room, so the effect is seasonal without being too much." If you want things simple, black can be a good choice. Evan says, "It's always chic." "If your style is light and neutral, a few black taper candles on the coffee table or charred branches in a vase will do the trick."
Scary Leaves
Drew Michael Scott of Lone Fox says that the best Halloween decorations go well with your home instead than against it. "I've stopped using the classic skeletons and broomsticks and started looking for decorations that go with the rest of my space," he says. Jack-o'-lanterns are the same. He explains, "If you don't like pumpkins, you can use dried flowers in fall colors instead." "They're still seasonal, but with a softer, more sophisticated twist." Extra points: Dried flowers will endure long after Halloween because they are already dead.
Pumpkins that hit hard
Jack-o'-lanterns are one of the most popular Halloween decorations, but they're about to have a significant change. "I love the idea of painting pumpkins that glow in the dark instead of jack-o-lanterns to make the display more interesting," says Nureed Saeed, an interior designer who works in both California and New Jersey. Not good enough at art to paint a whole fresco on a pumpkin? That's OK. Some individuals are actually using pressed flowers and mod podge to make decoupage pumpkins.
Boo-tiful Busts
Minimalism, goodbye: Traditional interiors are really popular right now, thanks to cute touches like painted floors and skirted furniture. So, why not include that style in your Halloween decorations? Scott adds that a bust can give your Halloween season style "a little edge." Add a scented candle to the mix to make it a multi-sensory look that will really stand out.
Looks with a theme
It's time to stop thinking inside the box and say goodbye to skeletons and bats. Saeed says that instead of putting up goblins and ghouls in their homes, individuals should choose a new, more original theme. "There's nothing wrong with a pretty display of pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns, but for me, a good theme never goes out of style," she says. "I always start with a fun or scary theme so that I can make a whole Halloween-themed space that even the teens in my neighborhood know is scary."
Saeed loves the concept of a home based on Willy Wonka or Star Wars. She says, "The emperor is pretty scary, people!" But you could always go for a haunted house moment. Intentionality is the key to a well-decorated theme, though. Instead of tablecloths and balloons with Yoda's face on them, try to make your own Death Star at home.
Candles for Crafts
Candles are a terrific way to make your place look spooky, by the way. Guadalupe Alvarado, the DIYer behind the Cherry Patio, says, "This year we love how candles have become such a big part of Halloween decor." "They add warmth and a little spookiness, and for us, they're the perfect finishing touch for a cute table setting or a fun DIY project!" Alvarado loves to paint adorable motifs on long, tapering candles, even though black or pumpkin-shaped wax could be more appropriate for fall.
You can make the candles of your dreams—or, given it's Halloween, nightmares—once you add wax pens to your e-cart. She explains, "[It's] safe, easy, and fun to tackle." "Definitely a must-do!"
No matter which trend you choose to follow, one thing is for sure: these concepts are all good and not bad.
