24 Halloween porch and exterior decorating ideas

With Halloween just around the corner, you may be looking for fresh and easy decorating ideas for your front porch. Whether you opt for store-bought decorations or decide to make them yourself with friends or family members, we're here to inspire you and give you last-minute tips that make a difference.

Browse our selection of creative Halloween ideas for exterior door, window, and porch decorations, and rest assured that your house will make a spookily good impression on your guests and neighbors.

1. Carved pumpkins

This Halloween staple doesn't take long to make and can be a fun group activity. If you want to stand out, you can take carved pumpkins to the next level by turning them into slimy candy holders on your front porch or stacking and assembling them into spooky animals. Try adding a tea-light candle to your carved pumpkin designs into jack-o-lanterns at night.

2. Painted pumpkins

If you want your pumpkins to last a little longer or prefer a less messy way to decorate them, try painting! There are endless ways to paint your pumpkins, so don’t be afraid to get creative with patterns, faces, or even just colors.

3. Door wreath

Exterior door decoration for Halloween is a must as the front entrance is where all the trick-or-treaters will come. You can opt for a minimalistic black wreath covered in plastic spiders, an intricate design with skulls and flowers, or a regular wreath decorated with stretchy artificial spider webs. If you want something that can last for the fall beyond Halloween, try using a wreath that combines colorful fall foliage, pinecones, and other seasonal elements instead.

4. Halloween lanterns

Lanterns are the perfect way to light up your porch (or even inside the house) for Halloween. There are a lot of options when it comes to spooky lanterns, from large, single lanterns to a string of smaller ones, you can find them in all sorts of different shapes, sizes, and designs. SOme of the most popular choices for Halloween lantern lights include pumpkins, bats, and ghosts.

5. Cobwebs and spiders

Let your imagination run wild with super-stretchy cotton cobwebs and plastic spiders of all colors and sizes. You can use them to dress up the bushes in front of the house, the walls, windows, and even the front door. Make sure to also add a few spiders that glow in the dark.

6. Window stickers

Get some festive stickers that are specially made to cling to windows this Halloween – just remember to clean your windows first to help them stick. You can add them at random, or choose to create more elaborate scenes with your spooky window stickers. Try adding some glow-in-the-dark stickers into the mix or placing them indoors on mirrors!

7. Skeletons

Add some skeletons to your front porch this Halloween. Plastic skeletons come in all shapes and sizes, from small animals to the famous 12’ Home Depot skeletons, you can find ones that work for you. Try setting them up in various poses and scenes for some added fun!

8. Halloween buckets

Decorating for Halloween can be as simple as adding a spooky candy pale to the porch stairs!

9. Front porch ghosts, ghouls, and monsters

Scary figures like witches, ghosts, and monsters can add a fun touch to your exterior Halloween decor. Some people like to create entire scenes, while others opt for a single prop. You can even turn plain white sheets or cheesecloth into frightening ghosts in a matter of minutes, just drape the cloth on white balloons and draw some eyes!

10. Halloween garlands

Paper garlands are easy to make and can be a fun Halloween craft for children. Use regular office paper to make a ghost garland, orange paper for a pumpkin one, and black paper for a garland of spiders or bats. Mix them with store-bought light garlands and you can decorate your windows and entrance in no time.

11. Mini-pumpkins

You’re probably familiar with mini-pumpkins and gourds as accents around the house for the fall, but they can also be great festive Halloween decor. Try stringing them up by the stem with some twine and hanging them on your porch as creative DIY garland.

12. Decorative lights

You may associate string lights with Christmas decorations, but you can also get plenty of Halloween designs to embellish your house exterior after dark. Beyond plain string lights that come in Halloween colors like orange and purple, you can find lights shaped like ghosts, bats, pumpkins, and more!

13. Scarecrows

If you’re looking for a great decoration for both the fall and Halloween, try scarecrows. You can buy (or make) scarecrows that feature fall colors and leave them up after October is over. Or, of course, you could go with scarier versions if that’s a better fit with your Halloween aesthetic.

14. Make your own scarecrow

Combine old clothes, shoes, and painted or carved pumpkins to create a one-of-a-kind Halloween scarecrow. All you need is some old newspaper or hay to stuff the clothes!

15. Rustic Halloween charm

If you’re looking for a more fall-themed or rustic look for your Halloween porch decor, try adding weathered baskets, tins, or metal buckets painted like pumpkins into the mix. You can feature them next to real pumpkins for an interesting, festive look.

16. Gravestones and Halloween flags

If you like making your exterior Halloween decor into scenery, try using foam gravestones and plastic skeleton pieces to create a spooky graveyard scene! For an added touch, try stretching out some cobwebs in the area or adding a Halloween flag.

17. Halloween-themed plant pots

Add a touch of Halloween decor to your plants this season with a festive ghost or pumpkin shaped pot.

18. Small skeletons, spiders, and more

Find yourself with a bunch of small, plastic Halloween decorations and not sure what to do with them? Try creating a spooky window corner by adding them to a cobweb!

19. Spiders

If you don’t want to deal with putting up and taking down all the cobwebs, try just adding some spooky spiders to your front porch!

20. Skeleton door knocker

You can get a skeleton door knocker or wall art to hang on your front door for some spooky exterior decor this Halloween season.

21. Mums, skeletons, and mixed pumpkins

If your typical fall decor includes mums, pumpkins, and gourds, try adding a couple small skeletons and carved or painted pumpkins into the mix for Halloween!

22. Try a corner shelf

Add a corner shelf to your porch for an easy way to place all your Halloween porch decor.

23. Plastic jack-o-lanterns

If you’re looking for the spooky effect of jack-o-lanterns without the hassle of dealing with spoiled pumpkins at the end of the season, try fake ones! Get plastic or ceramic pumpkins and battery-powered candles for Halloween decor that lasts for years to come.

24. Seasonal flower baskets

If you prefer less flashy Halloween decorations, try planting seasonal fall flowers in wooden crates on your porch. Use a similar crate to add mini-pumpkins and gourds. You can even add a carved or painted pumpkin to the mix to turn it up a notch.

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With so many options for how to decorate for Halloween, you’re sure to find the right balance of decor that works for you. And, while you’re getting ready to go trick or treating this season, consider how a smart lock could add peace of mind while you’re away. If that sounds interesting to you, check out our selection of smart locks that don’t sacrifice design for your next porch decor upgrade!

Happy Halloween!