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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Saskia Kemsley

So chic it's scary: Your ultimate guide to throwing a stylish Halloween bash

All Hallows’ Eve, Samhain, the Monster Mash… however you refer to the annual spooky celebration, during which the veil between the physical and metaphysical world is as thin as can be (well, supposedly anyway), Halloween is a time to delight in the uncanny.

But if Halloween is the only time of year during which you let your inner witch shine, you may need assistance on the décor front.

But before you roll your eyes and mutter something about plastic skeletons and pumpkin-scented chaos, let me reassure you: this isn’t about slapping googly eyes on your succulents or sticking a bloodied hand out of your letterbox. No, dear reader, this is haute haunt couture. Think candlelit glamour, not haunted house horror.

Halloween has long since shed its suburban-America, candy-corn roots. Contemporarily, it’s feeling less like trick or treat, and more like Gothic maximalism meets Soho House.

From Catholic imagery à la Buffy the Vampire Slayer to celestial touches straight out of Bewitched, there’s a new appetite for sophisticated spook. And if you've been binge-watching Wednesday on Netflix (guilty), you'll know that morbidly stylish is very much in.

Salem, Massachusetts (Saskia Kemsley)

My credentials? Well, I recently went to Salem, Massachusetts to fulfil all of my witchy obsessions and came away very inspired for Halloween 2025.

I’ve spent the past month or so stalking interiors sites, and the findings are, frankly, bewitching. Marble skulls, glass pumpkins and taper candles in serpentine holders are blurring the line between Halloween and high art. If you’re not considering an antique candelabra for your October dining setup, then what are we even doing here?

Whether you're drawn to the mysticism of Dia de los Muertos, want to dabble in dark academia, or you're simply after a more refined alternative to inflatable ghouls, I’ve rounded up the best of the best in luxurious Halloween décor. Spooky season should be chic, not sticky.

So, light your Diptyque Feu de Bois, pour yourself a blood-red Negroni, and read on. Your haunted home transformation starts here.

Shop the edit below

Rockett St George Gemini Snake Candelabra

Just like a Gemini, this stoneware candelabra is incredibly versatile. Pop black or red pillar candles atop it during spooky season, and switch them out for bright pink and yellow hues during sunnier months.

Buy now £45.00, Rockett St George

Halloween Ghost Wreath

A frightfully fun idea for a wreath, let this circle of ghosts take over front door greeting duties.

Buy now £15.99, Amazon

Habitat x Sanderson & National Trust Stripe Tablecloth

An update can be as simple yet effective as a new tablecloth. This one has design credentials all stitched up, with frills, stripes and a clashing colour palette all in the fold.

Buy now £35.00, Argos

Anthropologie Swirl Glass Pumpkin

I’d be remiss not to include one of Anthropologie’s premium glass pumpkins in this luxe spooky season décor round-up

Buy now £32.00, Anthropologie

John Lewis Halloween Pumpkin & Squash Stoneware Bowl, 18cm

More autumnal than Halloween-centric, this pumpkin and squash-adorned stoneware bowl from John Lewis will nevertheless add some October-themed pzazz to your party.

Buy now £9.00, John Lewis

Premier 10pcs 15cm Floating Candles

If it's a Hogwarts Halloween on your moodboard, channel the vibe with a set of floating tapered lights. This set contains 10 x 15cm candles that can be switched on and off remotely.

Buy now £15.00, Amazon

StyleSparkle Autumnal Dried Flowers

Customise your dried autumnal blooms with the help of StyleSparkle’s bustling selection on Etsy – which ranges from Pinion Grass and Straw Flower to orange oat and flax.

Buy now £1.25, Etsy

Anthropologie Snake Taper Candles, Set of 2

Set the table with these snake-adored tapered candles, which come in a pack of two and offer seven hours of burn time.

Buy now £20.00, Anthropologie

Kah Tequila Reposado, 70cl

Drinkable decor? Don’t mind if we do. Kah Tequila Reposado is housed in a hand-crafted vessel that pays homage to Dia de los Muertos. The 100 per cent agave tequila is full-bodied and intense – perfect for taking to any Halloween party.

Buy now £65.00, F&M

Stanley Quencher® H2.0 FlowState™ Tumbler | 0.89L in Deadly Damask

A host has to stay hydrated. This gothic Stanley Tumbler is a dream come true for the practical witches among us. Perfect for Halloween and beyond.

Buy now £45.00, Stanley 1913

John Lewis Pumpkin & Berries Wreath

Do a test-run of your Christmas wreath placement with this Halloween version from John Lewis. Decorated with metallic pumpkins and orange berries, it's an easy way to brighten up your door in preparation for those trick-or-treaters.

Buy now £25.00, John Lewis

Lights4Fun Light Up Spider Web Halloween Decoration

A playful addition to your outdoor space this Halloween, this illuminated spider web decoration will keep things cosy yet spooky all season long. Far from flimsy, it’s an impressive 2.5 metres long and made from sturdy, bendable wire that can be stretched up to 1.5 metres in width.

Buy now £9.99, Lights4Fun

Lights4Fun 90cm Skeleton LED Halloween Decoration

If it’s chic Halloween decs you want, it’s exactly what you’ll get over at Lights4Fun. Damien the Skeleton comes pre-lit with 300 micro LEDs and is made of gleaming white, weather-resistant plastic. Perfect for adding flare and scare to your ‘do.

Buy now £23.99, Lights4Fun

Rocket St George Beautiful Black Heart Star Hanging Ornament

Inspired by Catholic motifs, this dramatic hanging ornament makes for stunning gothic-inspired décor no matter the season.

Buy now £30.00, Rocket St George

Dunelm Light Up Spotty Paper Star Hanging Decoration

Though technically marketed as a Christmas decoration, this black and white dotty paper star reminded me of The Nightmare Before Christmas – a decidedly Halloween-centric film. Rather handily, it comes with a built-in light that casts a warm glow.

Buy now £8.00, Dunelm

Argos Home Halloween Dragon Skull Decoration

One for dragon-fuelled Romantasy lovers, this terrifyingly brilliant skull decoration is sure to spook.

Buy now £12.00, Argos

Hootyballoo Happy Halloween Glow in the Dark Card Banner

There's nothing like a fun banner to spell out the occasion. This simple one comes in a suitable font and glows in the dark, adding to the spooky vibe. It's made from premium card, so put it away carefully and you can crack it out year after year.

Buy now £6.00, John Lewis

M&S Halloween Felt Ghost Garland

These sweet ghosts aren't scaring anyone, but will do a nice top of decorating your entryway or buffet table.

Buy now £5.60, M&S

John Lewis Halloween Ghost Glass Tumbler

For adult guests and very careful teenagers, this glass tumbler delivers a nice little trick once they've finished their merlot or cranberry juice.

Buy now £10.00, John Lewis

Amazon 20 Pieces Black and White Striped Balloons

Black and white is an easy palette to follow for a fuss-free but effective party look. Amazon has Beetlejuice-esque balloons nailed with this 20-strong, finished with foil detail that will catch the light.

Buy now £7.59, Amazon

Argos Home Light Up Leaf Autumn and Halloween Garland

Bring the outside in with the help of this realistic autumnal garland, which is strung with 20 warm LED lights. They’re battery-powered for ease (with batteries included) and have a handy timer feature, too.

Buy now £8.00, Argos

NataliasMagicCraft Lilith Roe Deer Skull Candelabra: Handcrafted Gothic Altar Decor

An option for wannabe Wiccans, this ornate deer skull candelabra has been handcrafted with the utmost care, attention and magic. Available in a myriad of different cosmic designs, it’s said to offer a fierce tribute to Lilith. Perfect for summoning spells on All Hallows Eve.

Buy now £132.00, Etsy

RustyPumpkinCrafts Halloween Potion Bottles

Fabulously gothic, these Victorian apothecary bottles come with eerie, poison-alerting labels to ward off thirsty souls. Plus, this seller always includes an extra free gift in your order. Winner.

Buy now £23.49, Etsy

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