Halloween decor always stirs up quite the debate in the Homes & Gardens office. We have two camps: the ones that think it should be chic and sophisticated, and the ones that love to lean into tacky.
While some might find joy in a perfectly curated display, others can't resist a witch's hat or a glow-in-the-dark pumpkin. But according to Denver-based interior designer and creator Lily Walters, this push to achieve enviable levels of chic Halloween decorating ideas is totally missing the fun – and she's got a trick for how to do both.
'Stop trying to make Halloween chic,' she says in the video. 'Trying to make it chic misses the whole point!' Halloween doesn’t have to be serious to be stylish. Lily’s approach proves that there’s a simple way to bring both elegance and fun into your seasonal styling. And the idea is refreshingly easy to try at home.
When it comes to spooky season decor, Lily believes the biggest mistake is over-complicating it. In her video, she explains: 'Holiday decor is supposed to make you happy, not impress your guests.'
'Sure, you could go with moody floral and dramatic candlesticks, but if you want to make it better – add moss (it can be real or fake), vintage lace, spiderwebs if they're calling to you.'
Instead of treating Halloween like an Instagram moment, she encourages leaning into the whimsy and spirit of the holiday. While fall foliage and sculptural candles always look beautiful, they needn't stand alone. Halloween is about personality, playfulness, and a touch of humor.
'The secret tip for Halloween decor is to find the balance,' Lily advises. 'One chic item, one playful item – that's the trick.'
'My entryway is full of floating witch hats, they clash with everything, and that's exactly the point!' she adds. 'Pair your dramatic florals with plastic skeletons, put your moody candlesticks next to a really ugly pumpkin, that mix is what keeps it from feeling boring.'
It’s this mix of stylish and unexpected fun pieces that keeps your indoor and outdoor Halloween decor from feeling flat or predictable. The best Halloween homes blend sophistication with a wink of fun.
These unexpected details bring more personality into your home than anything staged or overly polished. You don’t need to spend a fortune to decorate for Halloween; in fact, Lily proves that creativity is more impactful than cost.
'I dragged a broken branch from my yard, stuck it in a pot, and covered it with fake ravens. It cost me just about nothing, and it looks amazing.'
The same goes for pumpkins. 'I'm not just buying the perfect ones, I'm starting a collection of the weirdest, most lopsided, funky pumpkins I can find – that's what makes it fun.'
At the end of the day, holiday decor isn’t about curating perfection or impressing anyone – it’s about creating a moment that makes you smile. As Lily says, 'So stop trying to make Halloween chic – it's supposed to be fun'.
Shop stylish and spooky Halloween decor
Designed to sit indoors or out, this twiggy witch's broom from the Terrain Halloween collection is dotted with warm white LED lights featuring their signature 'Soft Twinkle' mode.
Whether you're looking to elevate your Halloween table decor or want to hang it on the wall, this sweetly scalloped plate has been designed with tarot-inspired artwork that will lend a magic touch year-round.
While cobwebs are certainly not the most expensive or stylish spooky accent, they do add a level of texture and playfulness to your entryway table, credenza, or tabletop displays. This stretchy web from Target also glows in the dark.
Snag a 30% off discount on the viral McGee & Co. wicker witch hats in Shea McGee's Halloween sale to create a chic mantel, console, or porch display. Layer them with pumpkins or hang them using fishing wire in your entry like Lily.
Sure, you can pick up some really unique real gourds and pumpkins, but if you're after a display that can be brought out every year and won't perish, this set of five from Pottery Barn is beautifully hand-painted in natural green hues.
While we often think about candles as a fall purchase, there are plenty of lovely warming scents to be found in the spookiest of designs. This understated soda lime glass candle comes with a hand stand for Halloween vibes.
This season, let go of the pressure to stage a picture-perfect Halloween. A funky-looking pumpkin, a bundle of branches, or even floating witch hats can bring more charm to your home than the most polished setup ever could.
