It’s time to give Halloween Decor a re-brand.

Until recently, I’ve always avoided decorating for Halloween. The words “spooky”, “scary”, “creepy”, and “crawly,” are not a part my vocab when it comes to describing my decor aesthetic. And, quite frankly, most Halloween decorations make me cringe. Between the harsh black-white-and-orange color palette and array of trinkets that make my skin crawl, the Halloween decor space has never been one I’ve been tempted to tackle.

But, this year, instead of writing the holiday off completely, I decided to challenge myself to find Halloween decorations that actually match my decorating style.  My décor style is contemporary, organic, and traditional – 3 words I thought I would never associate with Halloween…until now!

After hours of scouring the internet for the most chic, yet spooky, neutral Halloween decor, I am pleased to share that I have curated the perfect decorations for every room. If, like me, you’re on the hunt for Halloween decorations that are subtle, not scary, you’re in exactly the right place.

 

Neutral Halloween Decor for Outdoor

Starting outdoors is the perfect way to dip your toe into decorating for spooky season.  If you’re not interested in having any Halloween decor around the interior of your home, adding a few festive touches to the front patio or walkway is a great start. That way, you only really see the decorations in small doses.

Here are my top picks for neutral Halloween decor for outdoors:

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1. Light Up Pumpkin – The subdued lighting in this woven pumpkins adds a bit of ambiance to your porch without overdoing it.
2. Lit Ghosts – Your trick-or-treaters are going to love to see these fun kid-sized ghosts in your front yard.
3. Branch Wreath – The black branches are chic, yet haunting.
4. Metal Lanterns – These lanterns aren’t innately spooky, but black metal will perfectly accent any other outdoor Halloween decor you add.  They’re also perfect for keeping outdoors all year long!
5. Welcome Mat – Perfect for adding an unexpected pop of Halloween, especially if you do not have a large area for decorating.
6. Rattan Pumpkin – I love mixing real and faux pumpkins for tons of visual interest.
7. Lit Woven Witch Hat – This adorable witch hat comes with a timer to program when the lights turn on/off, so you can set it and forget it
8. Lit Jack’O’Lanterns – Tip: Vary the heights of your pumpkins to keep your decor interesting and give the eye plenty of different points to focus on.
9. Animatronic Broom – This is a great stand-alone piece – or pair with a pair of witchy boots and a cauldron to really tell a story.

 

Neutral Halloween Decor for the Living Room

I would argue that we spend the majority of our waking hours in our living rooms. That means, these are the decor items we spend the most time looking at, so they need to really “bring it.” Fortunately, I’ve found the best Halloween decor items that will do just that.

Here are my top picks for neutral Halloween décor for the living room:

 

1. Spooky Halloween Art – Chances are, you already have some framed art already in your living area. Swap out the print temporarily for something a little spookier, for to add a subtle Halloween flair.
2. Wooden Pumpkin – This would stack perfectly on top of a set of coffee table books or integrate seamlessly on a styled bookshelf.
3. Ghost Pillow – Add this throw pillow to your current mix of pillows to an easy Halloween-y addition.
4. Pillar Candle Holders – These pumpkin candle holders are so chic. They would make for the perfect start to a console table vignette.
5. Spooky Coffee Table Book – This is one of my favorite pieces in the entire haul, and I could be convinced to keep it out all year around. It is just so sleek!
6. Pumpkin Pillows – Add this pillows to a couch, table, or even a basket for a barely-there festive touch.
7. Skeleton Pillow – Another perfectly subtle nod to Halloween that you could simply throw on an accent chair without changing any of the decor around it.
8. Adhesive Bats – I’ve seen these bats everywhere on social media.  They’re such an easy way to add a decorative element to a plain wall.
9. Skull Candles – These are the candles that truly may have turned me into a complete Halloween-decorating girlie. I am obsessed!

 

Neutral Halloween Decor for the Kitchen

You don’t need trade your sauce pan for a cauldron to get your kitchen feeling festive. A few subtle swaps will go a long way in cultivating an unobtrusive spooky vibe.

Here are my picks for neutral Halloween decor for the kitchen:

 

1. Glass Pitcher – Perfect for pouring up delicious potions and brews.
2. Dessert Plates – These dessert plates feel bring a level of sophistication, with just a gentle nod to the season.
3. Witch’s Cookbook –  Prop it on your counter as a fun decorative piece, or crack it open to try your hand at one of its wickedly delicious recipes.
4. Dish Towels – Swapping your dish towels seasonally is a great way to infuse a hint of
5. Drink Dispenser – Perfect for serving a devilishly delicious punch at your next Halloween party.
6. Pumpkin Mug – Would it even be fall without a pumpkin mug for your morning cuppa joe?
7. Butter Dish – This dish is not Halloween-specific, so it can be used all year long. And with over 13,000 5-star reviews, I think you’re going to want to.
8. Flatware Set – The subtle detail on these utensils adds an unexpected twist.
9. Soap Dispenser – Liven up your dish washing by swapping your boring soap dispenser for one that’s a little more..ghastly.

 

Neutral Halloween Decor for the Dining Room

A little ghost once told me that the secret to curating a perfectly spooky dining table is not by adding more things, but by swapping out some of your basics for more festive versions of the same item.

Here are some examples:

 

1. Skeleton Highball Glass – If a skeleton hand holding a highball glass doesn’t shout “Halloween Spirit!” then I don’t know what does.
2. Skeleton Napkin Rings – These spooky skeleton hands will politely hold your guests’ napkins in place – how considerate!
3. Pumpkin Serving Dish – As if this pumpkin serving dish wasn’t adorable enough, there are matching mini pumpkins that act as lidded bowls to hold seasonal soups and stews.
4. Skeleton Party Bucket – Quench your guests’ thirst with this festive party bucket that is truly chilling (see what I did there?).
5. Brass Candelabra – This dramatic candelabra is a show-stopper that will take your guets’ breath away in the best way.
6. Smoked Wine Glasses – These hazy glasses add an element of mystery to your table setting.
7. Candlesticks – Pair with black or purple taper candles for an extra spooky touch.
8. Rattan Charger Plate – If you read the post on creating the perfect harvest tablescape, you’ll know that I love adding a layer of texture to all of my table settings.
9. Table Throw – Think of it like a throw blanket for your table

 

Neutral Halloween Decor for the Bedroom

Keeping the Halloween decor tame in the bedroom is especially important because this is your safe space.  The last thing I want to see when I open my eyes first thing in the morning is a pair of spooky eyes staring back at me. It is possible to bring your Halloween to décor into the bedroom without feeling like you live in a haunted house.

Here are the best neutral Halloween decorations for the bedroom that won’t give you nightmares:

1. Striped Sheets – I have only 3 words – Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice!
2. LED Mini Ghosts – These tiny ghouls are just too adorable to be scary.
3. Throw Blanket – Drape at the foot of your bed or on a bench for an easy, whimsical detail.
4. Phoenix Vanity Mirror – Start your day feeling magical with this ultra-detailed Phoenix mirror.
5. Haunted Frame TV Art – This haunted artwork is so subtle, you could easily miss the two ghostly visitors going for a stroll.
6. Cauldron Planters – Give your plants a witchy home in these brass cauldrons for a playful touch.
7. Pillar Candle Tray – Perfect for collecting pillar candles, jewelry, potion bottles, or whatever you keep at your bedside.
8. Harvest Spice Scented Candle – This yummy scent is refreshing, and not at all scary, providing some much-needed respite from the rest of the world.
9. Golden Snitch Clock –  This Harry Potter/Pottery Barn collab is targeted for teens, but is every millennial’s dream come true.

 

I had so much fun curating this guide to the perfect neutral Halloween decor that is both spooky and chic. While I didn’t think it could be done, Halloween is quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays (look out, Christmas!). I hope this inspires you to challenge yourself to find ways to decorate this spooky season in a way that speak to your authentic design style. As always, I can’t wait to see what you create!

 

xo, tjp