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The best indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations of 2023

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1 min read
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Sep 15
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It’s that time of year again, when pina coladas give way to pumpkin spiced lattes, light succumbs to darkness, temperatures start dropping and people begin to embrace a little magic in the spirit of Halloween.

Perhaps you’d like to add a festive touch, host a monster mash or finally outdo your neighbors by creating your own haunted mansion? Whatever your pleasure, rest assured that we’ve gone to the far corners of the internet to deliver just what you need.

From clever pillow covers to cryptic dinnerware, and plenty of bones, skulls and cheap thrills in between (not to mention the scariest shower curtains you’ve ever seen), read on to reveal our creepiest roundup yet. And be sure to secure your goods before they sell out so you don’t miss out on memories.

Best indoor Halloween decorations

Create a cozy — and clever — pillowscape with this set of four Hocus Pocus–themed pillow covers (18 x 18 inches). They ring in at only $3 a piece and, with over 2,000 perfect Amazon ratings, they come both Sanderson Sister- and customer-approved.

$14 at Amazon

Deck out your bedroom with these Snoopy-themed percale sheets and pillowcases from Pottery Barn Kids, featuring the Peanuts crew engaged in different Halloween scenes. The brand also offers glow-in-the-dark Rifle Paper and Hello Kitty collections, as well as adorable plushies, for children and the young at heart.

$89 at Pottery Barn Kids

Build your own haunted house — or entire neighborhood — with Crate & Barrel’s sleek assortment of sculptures. They’re made of durable galvanized iron and come in three different silhouettes that you can set up as is or illuminate with votives.

$20 at Crate and Barrel

Dress up a table, shelf or mantle with these striking glass pumpkins from Anthropologie’s exclusive Terrain collection. Each has an open base, so you can easily add a candle or string of lights for a hint of color or whimsy.

$34 at Anthropologie

For a kid-friendly yet still elevated pumpkin patch, consider this set of artificial gourds. It includes 12 rustic-looking pumpkin motifs made of thick foam for decorating, gifting, displaying — the possibilities are endless! 

$13 at Amazon

Surprise and delight with this animated Franken-Snoopy Plush, which howls, grunts and performs other moves. Hallmark also offers an itty-bitty version (sound only), along with a light-up pillow for getting into the Halloween groove.

$40 at Hallmark

Make it a holiday classic with this 9-inch ceramic Halloween tree. It comes pre-lit with over 35 orange and purple lights (along with a pumpkin tree topper) and has over 1,500 perfect reviews for its easy maintenance and nostalgic design.

$35 at Amazon

Mesmerize visitors with this spellbinding candle holder, which glows and changes colors — from deep purple to bright green — to match the majestic mood. (The brand’s Haunted House and Ghostly Goblet projectors are also among items we expect to sell out soon.)

$70 at Bath and Body Works

When it comes to actual candles, it doesn’t get more intriguing than these molded wax skulls from West Elm, which add visual interest while striking the perfect balance between eerie and refined. The brand also offers ceramic skull decor, vases and even planters for upping the ante.

$30 at West Elm

Add a festive touch to your kitchen or bathroom with these top-rated hand towels. Ringing in at only $9 each, they feature a wide assortment of phrases and designs — from funny to freaky — for peppering some personality throughout the home.

$18 at Amazon

Send your own bat signal with this neon sign, which can be charged by USB or battery and has a near-perfect rating for its budget-friendly price tag and bold silhouette. (We’re also fans of this neon ghost sign for both indoor and outdoor displays.)

$10 at Amazon

See, speak and hear no evil with this mischievous tower from World Market. Perfect for a tabletop or entryway, the stack of skeletonized jack-o'-lanterns comes bearing an important message and can be illuminated from within. (You may also like this Skull version from Wayfair.)

$40 at World Market

If you gravitate toward gore, this bloodied shadow of a shower curtain is hardcore. Nearly 1,000 reviewers have given it a high five (sorry, couldn't resist) for its durable fabric and detailed (read: horrific) graphic.

$20 at Amazon

Invite your pets to join in on the fun with a Halloween-themed goody box from Chewy. Available for both cats and dogs (shown), each features a hearty mix of much-deserved treats, along with plush toys that double as playful home decor.

$24 at Chewy

Best Halloween dinnerware and entertaining

Give new meaning to your spirits with a skeleton-clad whiskey glass, which lends an edgy feel to traditional drinks and just so happens to make a very cool gift. In case your drink isn't chilling enough, these skeleton-shaped ice cube trays are top of the line.

$17 at Amazon

Perfect your potions with this ceramic cauldron from World Market, which can be used as a wine chiller (holds up to three bottles) or punch bowl for presenting your latest concoctions. Reviewers especially love it for its durability (made of sturdy ceramic and metal) and versatility (it can also be used to hold candy, party favors and more). We also love this Potion Bar sign for bar backdrops.

$35 at World Market

Amazon reviewers love these Instagram-worthy ‘blood bags’ from Wynk for single-serve beverages. They'll likely become the talk of the table while minimizing the amount of glasses you have to wash at the end of the night. (You can use the Collection Date section to write out the names of cocktails and mocktails, so guests get their selection just right.)

$10 at Amazon

Arrange a boo-tiful tabletop with this ghost-shaped serving platter from Pottery Barn, which creates a charming platform for appetizers, desserts and beyond. The brand also offers pumpkin- and skull-shaped stoneware for different party vibes.

$59 at Pottery Barn

Serve up a scare with this decorative — and slightly devious — candy bowl. It’s made of plastic and comes complete with a motion-sensored mummy hand that moves when trick-or-treaters get a little too handsy (three AAA batteries required).

$14 at Walmart

Set the scene with this top-rated Halloween tablecloth (54 x 72 inches), which has over 4,000 perfect ratings for its intricate webbing and ‘gorgeous’ spider design. Amazon also offers webbed coasters, along with a slimmer spiderweb cover (18 x 96 inches), for layering countertops and mantles.

$15 at Amazon

Add a little height to your tablescape with these snake-themed taper holders from West Elm. Made of aluminum (in an antique brass finish) and available in two sizes, they’re the epitome of sinister style (we suggest moving quickly, as the brand’s snake-themed goods have already begun selling out).

$26 at West Elm

Incorporate a vintage touch while dialing up the drama with a grandiose candelabra. This glass and crystal version from the Lenox Vintage Halloween collection, which is equipped to hold five candles and was on sale last time we checked, is one of the most beautiful we’ve seen. (The Viscacha Metal Candelabra is another top-rated option for those on a budget.)

$60 at Lenox

Get crafty with your greeting — or menu presentation — with this coffin-shaped letter board. It's the ideal size for a table and comes with over 500 characters for customizing your message and occasion (we also like it for Halloween countdowns!).

$35 at Amazon

What better way to complete the ambiance (or captivate your beloved) than with a dozen white roses that illuminate at dusk? These glow-in-the-dark bouquets can be purchased as is or with a vase for a unique gift or decorative touch.

$55 at 1-800 Flowers

Best outdoor Halloween decorations

Lead the way with these pathway stake lights from Target’s Hyde & Eek Boutique. They connect from end to end (no assembly or batteries required) and come available in a variety of Halloween-friendly motifs (choose from Ghosts, Pumpkins and Skulls, as well as flicker lantern versions).

$15 at Target

Keep guests guessing with these flameless, flickering — and floating! — candles. Especially great for Harry Potter fans, they can be hung via string from your chandelier or porch ceiling and look like the type of sorcery you’d encounter at Hogwarts.

$14 at Amazon

In the mood to splurge? We’re also enamored by these lit pumpkins from Pottery Barn, which are among the brand’s bestsellers and made of durable wire with a black powder-coated finish for an aesthetic that’s equal parts elegant and ominous (and weaves in seamlessly with many of the decorations above).

$89 at Pottery Barn

If you’re looking to light the night, look no further than these LED string lights. They’re racked up over 3,400 five-star reviews for their beautiful colors, generous length and high visibility (we’re also fans of these lights from TW Shine for indoor setups and smaller displays).

$20 at Amazon

Have some fun with this Salem-friendly garden flag, which makes a haunting addition to your front lawn or door and is a steal at only $9. Bonus points if you throw in a matching doormat (this one is washable!) and some floating witch hats (just hang with string).

$9 at Amazon

Especially great for decorating small porches and apartments, this top-rated door cover set serves as proof that, with the help of some colorful accessories, skeletons can actually be kind of cute. A little too friendly? Opt for the scary version (this skeleton door cover is another Amazon customer favorite for bathrooms, while this zombie-themed door and window cover set is great for keeping guests at bay).

$12 at Amazon

Adding a wreath is one of the easiest ways to dress up your door, and this minimalist yet chic — and cheap! — option from Target will go with a wide range of Halloween and post-holiday scenes. Prefer a lit option? This LED-powered twig-style wreath from IKEA is another one of our bold, budget-friendly picks.

$20 at Target

For a more traditional wreath, consider investing in this beloved twig wreath from Grandin Road, pre-lit with 35 orange lights for a look that’s nothing short of enchanting. The brand also offers a 600-light wreath for longer entryways and bigger impact, as well as a matching garland for tying everything together.

$52 at Grandin Road

When the sun goes down, these witches come to play (along with sensor-activated screaming sounds to their visitors’ dismay). Use the on/off switch to make their faces glow (they light up with seven different colors) and consider adding this glowy cauldron tripod (controlled with a timer) for added impact.

$78 at Walmart

Of course, there’s nothing like a groundbreaking zombie to make visitors squirm, and this is one of the creepiest around. Just add batteries, wait and watch as the sound- and motion-activated decoration gets to work on scaring unsuspecting guests (it’s a roaring good time, but not for the weak).

$20 at Walmart

Go big with this giant spider and web display, which can be hung from the house and has racked up over 3,600 perfect Amazon reviews. The far-reaching web captures onlookers’ attention from afar — and the big furry spider’s beady red eyes look extra scary in the dark.

$20 at Amazon

This top-rated fog machine has over 4,000 five-star reviews at Amazon for its ease of use (it comes with two wireless remote controls), special effects (there are 13 color settings) and energy-saving benefits (according to the brand, it uses 20% less than traditional fog machines), not to mention its ability to conjure up some serious gloom and doom.

$56 at Amazon

What better way to extend a ghoulish greeting to guests and passersby than with a ghostly Halloween yard sign? This giant set, which is super easy to assemble and great for big front yards, is equally silly and scary (check out more boo-tiful lawn decorations and glowy displays).

$45 at Target

Inflatable decorations have become increasingly popular among those who want to make an entrance without heavy lifting or grueling setup. This top-rated pumpkin patch inflates in seconds and comes with LED lights for added visibility. (Animal lover? Be sure to check out this skeleton dinosaur and playful pup.)

$35 at Amazon

For something a bit more mischievous, you can’t go wrong with this inflatable of Jack the Skeleton sitting on his jack-o'-lantern throne — it's perfect for smaller patio settings. We can’t tell if Jack’s waving hand is welcoming or warding off guests (either way, he’s sure to be the talk of the block).

$43 at Target

There’s nothing like an enormous Ursula inflatable to make visitors light up, and this presence-commanding fixture is straight out of a Hollywood moviie. Scoop it up to celebrate The Little Mermaid live-action remake and watch guests revel in all the little details.

$150 at Home Depot

And who could forget a life-size skeleton that can bring the party to any Halloween display? This glow-getting pick from Target is animated, posable and pretty affordable. (We also dig these options from Walmart, Pottery Barn and Home Depot for bigger bones and roomier homes).

$45 at Target