The Real Horror of Halloween is Tacky Decor — Here's 12 Shockingly Chic Pieces You'll Want to Keep Out All Year

Embrace the dark side of decor with bewitching finds that’ll haunt your home well beyond Halloween (in the best possible way)

a halloween table setting with large brands and paper pumpkins, and a black bathtub with candles and artwork of eyes on the wall
(Image credit: West Elm; Anthropologie)

Halloween is, without a doubt, my favorite holiday. It’s easy to get swept up in the macabre — pumpkins, cobwebs, ghosts — that's all part of the fun, but let’s be honest, the real horror often lies in the tacky decor. The trick for October is to keep things ghoulishly festive yet delightfully refined (some might even say demure) — yes, chic Halloween decor is actually a thing, and it’s every bit as bewitching as it sounds.

As the holiday's self-proclaimed biggest fan, I’ve made it my mission to uncover Halloween decor ideas that are both spooky and stylish enough to keep on display year-round.

Despite what some high street shop windows and online shopfronts might suggest, you can absolutely sidestep the carved pumpkins and witches' hats. My curated edit is full of pieces you’ll be tempted to keep around long after the holiday has passed, maybe even all year. Sure, there are a few supernatural inspired accents — like spider web-inspired trivets — but the overall vibe here is dark and dramatic. Think petrol-hued decanters, twisted iron candelabras, and harlequin pleated paper mingled with blood-red foliage.

So, why not come to the dark side? We’ve got style! Trust me, as a style editor who’s been doing this for years, I’ve got you covered. Here’s everything I’m eyeing for the upcoming frightful festivities.

Julia Demer
Style Editor

Formerly covering fashion at L’Officiel USA, style maven Julia Demer brings her love of design to Livingetc’s world of interiors. As the title’s New York-based Style Editor, Julia's work reflects a sharp eye for detail and an innate passion for aesthetics. Her journey began with a strong foundation in design, honing her craft at renowned establishments like The Row and even establishing her own eponymous fashion brand. Julia’s design background is evident in the way she thoughtfully curates shopping edits, always maintaining a focus on emerging trends while preserving timeless sensibilities. For Julia, fashion and interiors go hand in hand, reflecting her lifelong commitment to perfecting the art of style.