Outdoor Halloween decor ideas: 16 spooky yet stylish ways to dress up your plot

Looking for outdoor Halloween decor ideas? We've got plenty of ways to put the spook into your space this fall.

While we all love good old-fashioned pumpkin carving, there are lots of other eye-catching looks that are well worth a try. From twinkling lights and gothic accessories that are more chic than scream-worthy, why not get a little more creative with your decorations this year? 

Whether you're throwing an alfresco Halloween bash or want to greet trick-or-treaters with the best-dressed plot on the block, we've rounded up some of our favorite displays that are bound to impress. Plus, they're super fun to create.

Outdoor Halloween decor ideas that everyone will love

With a bit of creativity, it's easy to give your garden decor a Halloween twist. Our edit of looks will definitely get you inspired.

1. Make a statement with a supersized spider

This giant web and its creepy-crawly inhabitant will make your home the best Halloween-dressed on the street. It's simple to install using the included tent pegs, and is a look that you can recreate year after year.

Extend the theme for your Halloween porch decor with more webs, hanging bats (try Amazon), and a spooky skeleton. Any visitor is bound to be impressed with the haunted house vibe.

2. Curate an elegant Halloween-themed tablecape

If scary isn't your style, but you still want to celebrate the Halloween holiday, how about curating a beautiful setup like this?

An array of small pumpkins and vases of dried flowers and seedpods bring plenty of harvest-time charm. Meanwhile, pumpkin-patterned table linens will add an extra layer of visual interest, while tall, elegant candles up the ambiance further.

String festoons overhead and position a fire pit nearby to keep everyone cozy and you'll be all set for a fabulous Halloween dinner party spent alfresco.

3. Keep it simple yet fun with lawn ornaments

If you want to keep your outdoor Halloween decor simple, a solution like this could be the one for you.

These laser-cut, metal lawn decorations will give your garden a spooky edge, without breaking the bank or taking hours to install. Just push them into the ground via their stakes for a fun focal point that celebrates the spirit of the season.

4. Set the scene with spooky DIY details

The small details make a big difference when planning your outdoor Halloween decor. These easy-to-make jar lights are perfect for adding an atmospheric glow to nooks and crannies around your patio or porch, or try using them to line a pathway.

All you need is a mason jar, some outdoor-suitable microlights, and some spiders and webs to recreate this look. But you could also get creative with faux bones, eyeballs, worms, glow-in-the-dark insects (try Amazon for all) – whatever takes your fancy.

5. Decorate your gates with mini jack-o'-lanterns

If you have a gate at the front of your plot, giving it a Halloween makeover is a must for greeting guests. 

Look for pumpkin decorations that you can hang or tie to the railings with thin wire, or add a seasonal wreath or battery-operated outdoor string lights. Alternatively, for something a little more understated, try weaving a deep red, black, or orange ribbon around the posts.

And, if you have traditional metal spikes along the top of your gate, as seen here, fix a line of mini 'Munchkin' pumpkins (available at many grocery stores this time of year) right along the top for a fun look. Drawing on faces with a marker pen is super easy but will up the appeal further.

6. Create a cozy glow around your front door

Learning how to carve a pumpkin is tons of fun, but not everybody has the time. For a low-maintenance option, look for ceramic versions, then fill with LED candles for a beautiful (and low-risk) display.

Cluster more than one around your front door or outdoor seating zone alongside a mix of real pumpkins and squash in various colors and shapes. A couple of large, statement lanterns, like these striking gold designs, will give the scene additional style points.

And the best part? Jack-o'-lanterns like these can be used again and again, so that's next year's porch decor sorted, too.

7. Host an outdoor dinner party in your own gothic grotto

'There's no need to sacrifice style for festivity at Halloween,' says Rebecca Stanton, a stylist at Dobbies. And, what better setting for an elegant-yet-spooky soirée than a gorgeously gothic grotto? 

A gazebo or pergola provides the ideal canvas to string up faux cobwebs or ivy and warm, glowy pendant lanterns. Then, have fun dressing the table to impress. Think deep, jewel-toned linens, vintage-style candlesticks, and urns filled with blood-red roses. Glimmering pearls, creepy crawlies, and skulls (all pretend, of course) make playful additions for dotting around the scene. Opulence is key for this outdoor dining idea.

'Pops of autumnal-inspired foliage and miniature pumpkin-adorned sprays and garlands can also be used to bring a hint of Halloween to dinner party tablescapes and vase arrangements in a suitably chic way,' adds the Dobbies team.

8. Scare your guests with skeletons

Adding these skeletal hands to a large fall planter will instantly give it the scare-factor, or use them to liven up a border.

These playful props will bring a smile to anyone who spots them. Whether they're the main frightful feature in your display or an addition to a large-scale graveyard look (such as the one listed below), they are a great way to add a ghostly glow to your garden.

9. Turn your garden into a spooky graveyard

Okay, a look like this is hardly subtle. But, it's bound to bring delight to true horror fans and big kids alike. And at the end of the day, when else can you turn your home into a creepy haunted house?

You can pick up foam tombstones with stakes for sticking into the ground for a very affordable price online – Amazon has a good selection. Or, try building your own with cardboard and paint. Add some faux cobwebs and spiders and your front lawn will instantly give trick-or-treaters the chills!

Finish the scene with twinkling string lights woven around structures and don't forget a jack-o'-lantern or two by the front door.

10. Give your containers a seasonal edge

Don't forget to bring container gardening ideas into the equation when it comes to your decorating plans. 

A simple way to give your planters the Halloween makeover is to surround them with pumpkins great and small in various colors. We're particular fans of the 'Crown Prince' variety. With its unusual shade of blue that will lift any display, it's the perfect choice if you're looking for no-carve pumpkin ideas as it looks beautiful just as it is.

If you haven't done so already, now is also a good time for a seasonal shake-up when it comes to your planting, as your summer blooms have likely faded. Asters, amber-hued violas, deep-toned heucheras and ornamental cabbages are all good picks.

You can make a quick and easy display with existing planted pots, suggests interior and garden stylist Selina Lake. 'Push the stems and stalks of fresh flowers, foliage, berries and even twigs and branches into the soil to give it a full, colorful look for a party.'

11. Cozy up your seating space

Outdoor fall decor like this is a lovely option for a sophisticated Halloween gathering.

'When I'm styling gardens and outdoor spaces for Halloween and autumn gatherings, I always like to combine the colors of the season with an abundance of flowers and foliage,' says Selina Lake. 'Squashes and pumpkins dotted in between plant pots planted with vibrant pink heathers and vases filled with dried bracken will easily set the scene. 

'It's a good idea to add some lighting ideas – solar-powered strings of festoons add to the party feel,' she says. 'And, candles in lanterns will bring a little magic to the space.'

Selina continues: 'I like to give my outdoor lounge area a cozy, inviting feel so I add an array of cushions and throws to our rattan sofa set and teak wood armchair. Equally, dining chairs and benches will feel cozier when you add seat mattresses and extra cushions.'

And when it comes to color? 'To keep the styling coherent, keep accessories in colors which blend with the seasonal tones: rusts, mustard yellows, terracottas and deep pinks,' Selina says.

12. Opt for understated accessories

If going all out when it comes to outdoor Halloween decor ideas isn't your style, don't worry. There are plenty of sophisticated ways to bring just a touch of the theme to your exterior.

Take this intriguing LED outdoor light, for instance. Crafted in the shape of a pensive raven, it will add an eerie yet elegant feature to your patio or deck and will definitely be a talking point amongst guests. 

To go a small-yet-effective step further, switch out any colorful cushions for deep black or gold alternatives, pop a couple of white 'ghost' pumpkins on your outdoor coffee table and pour yourself a witches' brew. And voila, a laid-back, spooky setting to celebrate in style.

13. Create autumnal arrangements on occasional tables

A small occasional or coffee table provides an ideal base for a spectacular scene. And, you can get as creative as you like with the arrangement.

Whether you've opted for pumpkin painting or tried out some classic carving, these veggies make great focal points. Surround with colorful autumnal leaves for an eye-catching display. 

And once the holiday season is over? There are things you can do with a pumpkin after Halloween to ensure it doesn't go to waste.

We love these cute pumpkin-themed candles too – although remember to pop them on a plate to protect your furniture from melted wax (and for safety reasons).

14. Add cut-out bats to branches

If you have small trees in your plot, whether in the ground or in pots, adding Halloween decor to their branches is an easy yet effective look. Alternatively, you can make a temporary display by arranging branches in a large vase.

One easy DIY craft is making cut-out bats from black paper or cardboard. Then, simply use glue or tape and string to attach them to your display. Faux cobwebs are also a good addition.

Some large, gothic-style lanterns, an autumnal wreath and pumpkins aplenty will make the perfect finishing touches to your Halloween door decorations.

15. Dress up steps with natural decor

Try taking a more natural approach when it comes to decorating your yard.

Dried corn stalks, wreaths made of wheat, and small bales of hay will give any outdoor scene a gorgeous, autumnal vibe. You can also 'embrace the season with golden brown leaves, conkers or pine cones foraged from a trip to the woods and scatter them around your entrance for that extra touch,' suggests the team at Lights4fun.

With Halloween outside decoration ideas like these, vibrant pumpkins are a must-have. Why not learn how to grow pumpkins – that way you can show off your own homegrown crop for the holidays?

16. Show off your blooms in a pumpkin vase 

This clever idea is super simple to recreate. All you need to do is dig out your pumpkin, ensuring it remains watertight. Pour in some water and position your finest autumnal bouquet for a pretty Halloween display with a difference. 

Whether you go for one larger pumpkin vase for a statement piece, or several smaller ones for that extra cute factor, this is a look we'll be copying for sure.

What colors should you use for your outdoor Halloween decor ideas?

'Halloween is the prime time to showcase darker colored accessories while still keeping it sophisticated,' says Dobbies. 'Bold black items from candle holders to vases can give a gothic feel, but by contrasting with glitzy golds, the look can be balanced and give a glamorous luxe look.'

Autumnal colors, especially shades of orange, are another staple for your garden color scheme at this time of year. Rebecca Stanton from Dobbies says, 'warm orange hues accompanied by pops of black and accents of gold give subtle hints of Halloween without being too garish, creating the perfect, Instagrammable glow for the season.'

How do you decorate your garden for Halloween on a budget?

You definitely don't have to spend a fortune on your outdoor Halloween decor ideas to make an impressive impact. There are tons of budget-friendly options, plenty of which you can make at home. 

Here are just a few DIY outdoor fall decorations that are perfect for the holidays:

• Avoid the specialist shops where costs can stack up. Instead, check out secondhand stores for vintage-looking dinnerware, candle holders, and other accessories which could work with your theme. Don't forget to look around your home, too, you might have some treasures hiding away in the loft or garage.
• Colored paper or card is super affordable and can be used to create all kinds of fun decorations. Cut out bats, pumpkins, or ghosts and stick them in windows or on your front or back door, or use thread to suspend them from your pergola.
• Ribbons are another budget-friendly craft material and can add a gothic touch to any outdoor scene. Tie a few around the back of chairs or containers, or add black bows to tree branches.
• And, how could you not include a pumpkin or two? You can pick them up for cheap at your grocery store. Leave as is for an understated look, or get carving to add extra character. A tea light is then all you need to create a quintessentially Halloween scene.