Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to decorate your yard for Halloween in a timeless way

Try decorating your yard the elegant way this Halloween

Halloween banner decoration with pumpkins
Yeh Xintong / Unsplash

If you’re anything like us, you’ve already been scouting out Halloween decor sales since August. As Halloween stores crop up in every strip mall, you’ll start to see tons of outrageous Halloween yard decorations. However, just because you see them doesn’t mean you have to buy them (unless, of course, that’s your jam). By doing your homework, you can keep it classy and outfit your yard with stunning decor that is both classic and festive.

The truth is, less is more when it comes to decorating, even for this stereotypically kitschy holiday. With a few tips and tricks, you can incorporate spooky and scary decor in your yard without making it look tacky.

A orange pumpkin sits atop a light wooden surface covered by fairy lights and lit from within
Aman rana b / Shutterstock

Light the way

Lights are a perfect way to infuse the spirit of the holiday into your decor without getting too out of hand. Pumpkins are a must for any Halloween party or celebration, and we adore these luminaries from Grandin Road. They come in two sizes and two colors, short or tall and white or orange, respectively. They look adorable on their own, but they can also light up, bringing an elegant, seasonal flair to your driveway or front porch. We also love this light-up Halloween wreath. Not only is it gorgeous, but it also keeps your home’s facade nicely lit for trick-or-treaters.

White pumpkins lights
art_of_sun / Shutterstock

Monochrome wins

Keep your decor looking chic by sticking to one color palette. You can bring in all of your favorite holiday icons like carved pumpkins, mums, gourds, and ghosts, but by keeping them all one color (ideally white), you can make a streamlined, attention-grabbing statement. You can also layer in lights and lanterns to illuminate your decorative pieces so you can enjoy them both day and night. It’s a simple way to decorate and speaks to the “less is more” theme. If you can’t find white decor, get creative and spend a night painting some with the family.

Orange pumpkins sit on top of an orange tabletop.
Toni Cuenca / Pexels

Don’t forget to scare

Halloween wouldn’t be the holiday we all know and love without a little bit of creepiness. Creativity is key here — there’s a way to add in a little fear factor without purchasing giant plastic vampires and skeletons. We love these glow-in-the-dark hanging bats that you can install on your front porch or across low-hanging trees. For more nefarious-looking bats, check out this set from Amazon that you can hang from trees and tresses or stick right to the exterior of the house.

Fall pumpkin decor and flowers on stairs
KlavdiyaV / Shutterstock

Natural elements

Halloween is part of the harvest season, so celebrate everything the earth has to offer by including some natural elements in your design. Plant chrysanthemums in big pots and line your front steps with them, or buy hay bales to arrange on your front porch and place pumpkins or cornucopias on top. The more colors and textures you can add, the better, so look for classic fall colors like yellows and reds, but don’t be afraid to incorporate a lighter color palette with whites, creams, and silvers.

Fall wreath and pumpkins on front door on porch
Andy Dean Photography / Shutterstock

Go vintage

You can never go wrong with a rustic farmhouse look for Halloween, as it conjures images of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and other seasonal fun. Get a little creative and display an old wheelbarrow filled with tiny pumpkins, gourds, and hay. Consider stacking old firewood or featuring wooden barrels surrounded by pumpkins or paper mache ghosts. The goal is to add creative elements that are understated and feel almost natural in your existing yard.

Scarecrow halloween decoration
Michel Stockman / Unsplash

Elegant DIY Halloween yard decorations

Create an enchanting Halloween atmosphere (without looking tacky) with some of our elegant DIY yard decoration ideas. Elevate your Halloween decor with these refined and imaginative tips, enchanting visitors with a bewitching night of stylish fright.

  • Illuminate your home’s pathways with softly glowing fairy lights entwined around faux tombstones.
  • Craft oversized paper bats for a sophisticated touch, while draped gauzy fabrics conjure a haunting allure.
  • Arrange a charming trio of DIY witches’ brooms by the door.
  • Crown your creation with a handcrafted wreath adorned in black feathers and silver accents.

These are just a few ideas for creating an outdoor space this Halloween that will inspire envy in all of your neighbors. If you love your blow-up Jack Skellington, we don’t blame you. Part of Halloween fun is indulging in these classic, cute designs. However, if you want to switch it up this year or reflect your more mature design style, there are plenty of other ways to create a warm, inviting front yard sans oversized plastic skeletons.

Experimenting with lighting, natural elements, and neutral, subdued tones will give create an outdoor space that’s classic and chic so you can enjoy the best parts of the holiday and welcome friends and neighbors over for some spiked apple cider. Happy Halloween!

Editors' Recommendations

Julie Scagell
Former Digital Trends Contributor
I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, MN. My passions include my dogs, talking about my dogs, and taking pictures of…
How to go all-out on Christmas decor without sacrificing a minimalist aesthetic
Minimalist Christmas decor inspiration to try this holiday season
Neutral minimalist holiday decor in a basket

Christmas decor can be garish and overwhelming for minimalists. The vivid colors, decorative clutter, and surplus of holiday ornaments clash with the minimal aesthetic. If you’re a minimalist and want to adorn your space this holiday season, it is certainly a challenge to find decor that suits this style. This year, celebrate the holidays with the minimalist scheme of your dreams. Whether you’re looking for color palette inspiration or overall design ideas, this is how to decorate for Christmas.

Choose a neutral color palette
One of the most important aspects of pulling off a successful minimal Christmas setup in your home is nailing the color palette. Traditional Christmas color palettes can be too busy in minimal homes. Instead of opting for traditional red, green, silver, and gold decor, we recommend taking a neutral approach to your color palette.

Read more
This Christmas decor idea for your front door and windows is super inexpensive (and fun to experiment with!)
Looking for a unique Christmas door decoration that isn't a wreath? Check out this idea from Tiktok
house exterior with christmas lights display

From traditional Christmas wreaths to the large winterscape window coverings, the holiday season ushers in several opportunities for decorating our doors and windows. However, some ideas have become exhausted after several years of use. After all, you can only change up the classic wreath so many times.

So, if you’re looking for creative and inexpensive Christmas door or window decorations this year, then you need to check out this unique idea.

Read more
Don’t clutter up your space: How to decorate a small living room for Christmas
Here's how to create a beautiful, festive scheme in your small living room this season
christmas living room setup with blue walls

If you are ready for the holidays and are biding your time until you can bust out your Christmas decor, you're not alone. This time of year is full of joy as family and friends gather to celebrate and welcome the magic of the season. If you don't have a large living room, there's no need to worry. You can create a beautiful, festive scheme in your small living room this season.

The key is to make the most of the space you have without designing a room that's overly thematic and kitschy. As long as you take advantage of the entire space, use lighting carefully, and invite color into your design, you'll end up with a living room that's warm, cozy, and ready for a little fa-la-la.

Read more