Non-Scary Alternative Decor Ideas For Halloween

Just because Halloween festivities and decorations are filled with ghosts and witches doesn’t mean you need to trade in your home design aesthetic for faux spider webs.

Getting into the Halloween spirit can be easy on the eyes – and your wallet  — if you pare down your decorations.

Simplify Colors

“Halloween is all about orange and black, so focus your colors there and add an accent color,” says Judy Gilmartin-Willsey, owner of Framings Event Design, which has decorated many Halloween-themed occasions.

She recommends silver as an accent color, as it pops nicely with the darker decorations.

Or try deep red, yellow or purple.

Pick one accent to go with the primarily black decorations.

Be Consistent With Materials

Instead of shopping for a variety of materials, choose one fabric for decorating to save on money and maintain a flow in your home.

“A great decorating accessory is black gauze fabric,” says Gilmartin-Willsey.

“Stretch it down the backs of chairs, make it into a runner for the center of the table, fray it and hang it from your fireplace.”

The trick to pretty theme decorating is to use the same material in many different ways.

Orange, or other accent color, can be found in this fabric as well at art supply stores.

Add Accessories

Home accessories give your decorations a festive boost.

Look for candles in fall scents like pumpkin spice or apple, and choose colors that are consistent with your décor color pallet.

Candles can also be decorated with the gauze fabric or wrapped in elegant black lace.

Swap outdoor blow-up decorations for inexpensive black lanterns to line your pathway and steps, says Gilmartin-Willsey.

You can use these inside your house as well.

For other lighting ideas, spray-paint candelabras to match your color scheme.

Tie in your colors with such home elements as throw pillows, tablecloths and outdoor wreaths.

Bring the Outdoors In

Top off decorations with fresh plants and flowers that add elegance to your décor.

Instead of typical red roses, go for orange or ones in deep reds and purples.

“Another cost-friendly idea is to buy inexpensive vases and fill them with eco-friendly black twigs,” says Gilmartin-Willsey.

In addition to lining your outdoor steps with pumpkins and lanterns, stack mini pumpkins on tables as a centerpiece.

Pumpkins can be spray-painted black, silver or other fall accent colors.

Throwing a party?

Carve your house number into individual pumpkins, and light them up for guests to see.