45 Best Halloween Decorations for the Outdoors
These fun ideas will impress all those trick-or-treaters.
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Admit it: One little jack-o'-lantern just doesn't pack the same punch as a completely decked-out festive porch. That is exactly why this should be the year you go all out with your outdoor Halloween decorations! Doing it big is the best way to ensure that each and every kid in the neighborhood will want to take a peek at the festive exterior of your haunted home before knocking for some much-deserved candy.
We're here to help you kick it up a notch with more traditional options (think: black cat cutouts, ghost wreaths, and spooky signage), advanced DIYs, and pumpkin crafts. Best of all, each of the projects we're sharing is inexpensive, simple to craft, and so fun to look at. Take, for instance, the "witch crash" door wreath. It's bound to have all the neighbors talking—but it's still easy enough to pull off.
And of course, the beloved jack-o'-lantern is the most popular Halloween decoration for a reason. So, you'll find several takes on that including some of Ree Drummond's favorite out-of-the-box pumpkin decorating ideas for your porch that don't even require carving. You don't have to go super scary to be seasonal either, so have fun with twists on fall porch ideas that will have all the ghouls talking. But no matter your style, there's something here to inspire everyone this spooky season!
You're not done decorating until you try:
Floating Ghosts
Give your yard a festive boost with this ghostly trio. You'll just need styrofoam balls, cheesecloth, and a few other easy-to-find items to get your haunt on. Make the eyes as friendly or as frightening as you want!
Get the tutorial at Daily Mom.
All-American Classic
Take a cue from Ree's popular restaurant and store The Merc and go classic with your decorations. Layer on the hay, corn stalks, and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Shades of orange, red, and yellow leaves and flowers add to the gorgeous, seasonal display.
Monster House
Which trick-or-treaters will dare enter your doorway? Turn your home into a giant monster using foam board for the eyes and fangs of this creepy creature.
Get the tutorial at Nifty Thrifty Thriving.
Spooky Lighting
Make sure your haunted home is properly lit during the spooky season. It's super simple to set up your own outdoor lighting so that your Halloween decorations really pack a punch. Use string lights and candles or splurge for a ghost projector.
Get the tutorial at Southern State of Mind.
Candy Stands
These candy dishes will be the most popular on the block, and trick-or-treaters will love them! Just build the bases, fill plastic bowls with sweets, and the neighborhood kiddos can easily grab their share.
Get the tutorial at K&G Make It.
Cute Halloween Candy and Ghost Decorations
Go sweet instead of spooky! Giant pieces of candy can frame your door while adorable little ghosts do the greeting. If you're not in love with creepy ideas, this is a good option to try.
See more at Sugar and Cloth.
DIY Spiderweb Doormat
You only need three simple things to create this fun spiderweb mat: a low-pile semicircle doormat, some white paint, and a paintbrush. It will come together faster than... well, a spider can make a web!
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Coffin Halloween Candy Chute
Not only will your yard be sufficiently spooky with skeletons and a giant coffin, but you're about to be the coolest house on the block for trick-or-treaters. That's because the coffin is a candy chute!
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
Light Up Halloween Porch Sign
Honestly, this DIY porch sign is cute as is and everyone who visits will surely agree. But what makes it even more fun is that you place a LED light inside the jack-o'-lantern and it lights up, too!
Get the tutorial at Average But Inspired.
Witch-Filled Halloween Front Porch
Want to bewitch all your guests? Double (or should we say triple?) down on the witch decorations to really go all out. The door, the planters, and even the pumpkins are totally spellbinding!
See more at Design Improvised.
Pumpkin Cow Decoration
Moove over, carving! You can create a cow's cute face by attaching pieces of floral fabric with hot glue. A simple black cotton cord and two buttons help to form the eyes and nose.
Rustic Farmhouse Halloween
You wouldn't know by looking at it, but that jack-o'-lantern at the bottom right of the steps is actually a decorated propane tank! It fits right in with all the other fun shapes and sizes, and you can bring it out every year.
Get the tutorial at Liz Marie Blog.
Rainbow Pumpkins Décor
If you want to be the talk of the block, try crafting this rainbow pumpkin display. It's a fun DIY for grown-ups and kids alike. You just need some acrylic paint and a few paintbrushes.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Pink Halloween Decorations
Your trick-or-treaters will be so shocked! This brightly colored, out-of-the-box idea is a little more temporary than some of the other options on our list, but it's an excellent way to welcome guests to a one-night-only Halloween event.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Pumpkin Dog
Faux sherpa fur makes up the ears and nose of this pumpkin pup. When you're ready to add the eyes, nose, and tongue, go for various floral fabrics for that country chic charm.
Pumpkin Topiary
This delightful pumpkin topiary is a fun way to kick off the month of October. The addition of twinkle lights within each jack-o'-lantern really makes the faces come alive.
Get the tutorial at DIY Candy.
Skeleton Door Décor
If the idea of greeting your trick-or-treaters with a skeleton feels a little too intense, follow this blogger's lead and dress it up in a cute outfit to tone down the fright factor. Who would be scared with that adorable gingham top?
Get the tutorial at The Pink Clutch.
Pumpkin Cat
Instead of a black cat, here's a purr-fect alternative! Attach floral fabric, cotton cord, and burlap to a pumpkin to transform it into a seriously cute feline.
Oversized Doormat
The spiderweb cheesecloth, black wreath, mini lanterns, and skeleton all make this a winning Halloween scene—but the star of the show just might be that gigantic doormat. Talk about making a statement!
Get the tutorial at Atta Girl Says.
'Flying Lessons' Sign
Construction paper, ribbon, and a broom are just about all you need to create this "Flying Lessons" door decoration. There are four fun color options for the sign, too!
Get the tutorial at A Piece of Rainbow.
Macie Reynolds is the assistant editor of E-Commerce and SEO for The Pioneer Woman.
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