Outdoor decor for Halloween is BIG! Some folks might actually decorate more for Halloween outside their home than inside. Do you decorate outdoors for Halloween? And if you do, do you do the same thing every year or mix it up? We like to sprinkle Halloween happiness outside, but I do like to mix it up from year to year. You don’t have to recreate all your decor, but simple details can change your Halloween outdoor decor.
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5 Details to Change-up Outdoor Halloween Decor
Paint is a Magic Wand
I’ve been crushing on copper Jack-o-lanters for a couple of years now. But I only had two, which really bugged me because you know I like to follow the odd number rule for decor. The smaller piece was from the shop I use to work at, Whim House, and the larger bucket type was from Michaels.
I love that they are different, and I wanted to add a third one to the mix. I looked last year but I couldn’t find many, and the ones I found were spendy, sooooooo I bought a galvanized piece deeply discounted in an after season sale, knowing I would simply spray it copper this year. And here we are.
One coat of copper spray paint is all it needed to join his friends. I already had the copper spray paint on hand from this project {DIY Autumn leaf wreath}, which was a bonus. I love how they are all very different but the copper tones bring them all together. Moral of the story? Use paint to make decor work for you.
Move It or Lose It
We usually create a graveyard of some sort, which I shared here {Halloween Outdoor Decor Ideas}. This part of our front yard I use to consider wasted space except on Halloween when it was the perfect setting for the creepy cemetery. But after the front yard remodel we had to get creative and relocate the location. By the way, I am not complaining by any means, I love our sitting area..
One year during the remodel Mr.M created a little plot against the house before we added the plantings. It was perfect for the trick-or-treaters to walk by as they approached our front door. It was an edited version but it still did the trick (no pun intended).
This year the top area of the front yard is completed, and it was the perfect stage for the graveyard. I really wanted to setup the fencing around the walkway, but there wasn’t enough depth to dig the plastic spikes into. So we decided to use the birdbath as a prop and created a pit of despair if you will.
The fencing surrounds the birdbath with some broken skeletons with scattered tombstones around. Using garden ornaments and statuary as props is a great use of something you already have and can create a unique vignette or experience.
Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
Simple tweaks keep things fresh without having to change or move everything. This DIY Halloween wreath on front of the house has changed slightly through the years. The first year when it was all that, it just sat plain since it was new and exciting.
Then for some years the black birds started to perch on the wreath. It was the perfect spot for them to nest and scout out the area.
This year bats flew in and took over the spot. Just a simple detail changes the whole look and feel of the same thing. It’s super easy and keeps things fun.
Create a Unique & Unexpected Focal Point
Speaking of the black birds, they found a new spot to perch. A barren tree in the goat cart is the perfect spot for them to hang out and greet our guests.
It has whispers of Edgar Allen Poe, and I can almost hear the raven “quoth Nevermore”. Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven” is one of my favorite Halloween muses, which piggy backs right on “The Birds” by Alfred Hitchcock.
Mr. Skelly moved over to the goat cart as well with his faithful friend. They usually hang around the church pew, but this way they can get up close and personal with all the trick-or-treaters as they approach the front door.
Put a Bow on It
A bow always perks up anything, even in a moody Halloween way. You can use a bow on your front door on a wreath, door hanger, swag or whatever it might be that greets your guests.
A bow makes itself at home in many places. I love a good mailbox bow since it creates great curb appeal. The corn stalk and pumpkin add extra seasonal touches, which can coast right into the Thanksgiving season.
Adding a bow to the goat cart spooky tree vignette gives it a touch of fancy, making it a bit more special. The pop of color, albeit muted, gives the styling a bit of life plus texture from the ribbons. Adding a bow anywhere gives that extra punch of specialness.
Closing Thoughts
Although none of these things are big on their own, they do make a difference. The devil is in the details. That saying always confuses me. Is it a good thing or a bad thing? I always thought it’s a good thing since I’m all about the details, but the devil? I guess it’s fitting for a Halloween article either way.
Originally I had wanted to decorate with white and green pumpkins for the season, but alas I couldn’t find any good green pumpkins around here. I found these yellowish orange pumpkins though and they totally called to me. I love the shape, I love the colors and they are something different for this year. Always remain open to new possibilities regardless of your preconceived ideas.
I used the bow technique I shared not too long ago for the moody Halloween bow, which will transition to Thanksgiving decor seamlessly. The bow will find itself on a different wreath for Thanksgiving, which will provide a totally different vibe than this Halloween black twig wreath. I really love this bow technique, and I have an idea for a Christmas bow which I will share when I start decorating for Christmas.
We are ready for the trick-or-treaters, and then we will flip the page to all the Thanksgiving and Christmas festive goodness. This is the last Halloween post for the season, and I hope you have enjoyed all the spooky fun. I’m ready to turn the page from moody vibes to all that is merry and bright. Wishing everyone a fun and safe All Hallow’s Eve!
P.S.
I wanted to share some night time pictures. Mr. M loves to use orange and purple light bulbs in the outdoor house lights for Halloween. I absolutely love it!
Dusk is always a favorite time of day for me, when time slows down and everything starts to dim and sink into night time.
I also have to mention (since I am perplexed about it and a bit subconscious), I don’t know why so many of our pretty plants died this past season. The boxwoods in the cast iron urns and some of the shrubs in the upper part of the landscaping just.totally.died. We’re not sure why, since they are on the same irrigation system as the surrounding area, which are all fine. Anyway we’re keeping them for the Halloween spooky feels, and then hopefully replace them before winter creeps in.
We are always happy to welcome you into our home. Thanks for stopping by.
Shop the Outdoor Halloween Decor Look
- Black Twig Wreath
- Black Striped Bow
- Black & Burlap Bows
- Full Size Skeleton
- Assorted Halloween Bone Decor
- Black Tree Branch Decor
- Set of Black Birds
- Set Halloween Tombstones
- Groundbreaker Graveyard Skelton
- Bats
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Halloween wraps fear in innocence, as though it were a slightly sour sweet. Let terror, then, be turned into a treat”.
Nicholas Gordon