14 Halloween Decor Ideas You Can Reuse Every Year

Carved pumpkins are quintessential Halloween decor, but they typically don’t last very long. Depending on your climate, your carved pumpkins may only last three to five days before they begin to rot. Instead of carving real pumpkins every year, consider investing in faux pumpkins — or having a mix of faux and real — to have pristine jack-o’-lanterns this Halloween and in the years to come. (They’re much less messy, too.) You can purchase solid faux pumpkins in a variety of sizes to add a pop of color to your porch, mantel or kitchen counter, as well as plastic, paper and ceramic jack-o’-lanterns that come with LED string lights to replicate a candle’s glow.

Halloween signs are a fantastic reusable decoration for both the inside and outside of your home, especially if you’re on a budget. They come in a range of styles, from eerie puns and phrases to classic Halloween imagery like black cats, skeletons, witches and ghosts. If you’re placing a sign outside or on your front door, opt for materials like plastic or non-rusting metal that can withstand rain and debris. Don’t forget to use stakes to anchor signs in your front yard and prevent them from being knocked over by the wind. On the other hand, if you’re looking to spruce up the walls inside your home, consider swapping out any artwork with Halloween-related posters or prints.

If you’re looking for a simple, elegant way to make your home spooky, a black lace tablecloth can turn any table into a Halloween-ready centerpiece. Similarly, black lace curtains can lend a haunted atmosphere to any room. If you prefer to keep your Halloween decorations minimal, pair your black lace tablecloth and curtains with a few faux pumpkins, rattan bats, black manzanita branches and wreaths, and black-and-orange kitchen towels.

A Gothic or Victorian style is a timeless, year-round aesthetic on its own, but it’s also the perfect way to create a festive Halloween atmosphere at home. Gothic interiors typically feature dark wood furniture with ornate flourishes and embellishments, as well as rich colors like reds, greens and blacks. While you certainly don’t need to buy all-new furniture just for Halloween, taking inspiration from Victorian-era styles can help you incorporate Gothic elements into this year’s decorations. These include tall, wrought-iron candlestick holders; orange, red, black and purple candlesticks; gilt lamps and candelabras; muted floral tapestries; and ornate mirrors and frames.

Instead of placing single-use stickers on your windows this year, choose reusable window clings. Made from a thin vinyl film, clings are the perfect temporary accessory because they can stick to your windows without the use of glue — making them easy to apply, adjust, remove and store for next year. Be sure to use them on the inside of your windows to minimize wear and tear. While you can choose from a wide variety of pre-made designs and colors (including ones that glow in the dark), you may want to consider printing your own custom window cling if you’re a major Halloween enthusiast.

There are endless ways to flex your creativity using skeletons and skulls, whether they’re life-sized or small table pieces. Mix and match different materials — such as plastic, ceramic, and crystal — for visual interest, and have fun arranging them in ways that create chilling (or comical) tableaus. For instance, you can place skeletons on porch swings; position them in your yard so they’re crawling out of the ground or from behind a tree; or pair them with crows and bats and hang them from high ceilings inside your home.

Tombstones are a classic front-yard Halloween decoration, and essential if you’re going for a spooky graveyard theme. However, flimsy cardboard tombstones can fall apart quickly. Consider investing in sturdy tombstones made of resin or dense foam, which can do a better job withstanding rain and wind, leaving them in mint condition the following year.

Halloween animatronics are mechanical decorations that can move, make noise, or interact with people walking by. They may be pricier than other decorations, but serious Halloween aficionados know that high-quality animatronics pay for themselves over years of use. If you’re considering one for your home, start by setting a budget for yourself and determining your Halloween theme before making any purchases. Once you’re ready to commit, consider visiting a reputable retailer — like Spirit Halloween or a local specialty store — in person to see the animatronics’ effects with your own eyes. If an in-person visit isn’t feasible and you must purchase something online, it’s crucial to read reviews and watch videos of the animatronics in action to gauge their quality and functionality.

If you’re tired of seeing the same mass-produced decor in every big-box store, it’s worth hunting for something with a little history. Flea markets, thrift shops and even estate sales are full of items that can become part of your Halloween rotation year after year. Think vintage apothecary bottles you can label as “potion ingredients,” wrought-iron candelabras that look perfectly at home on a haunted dining table, and (as mentioned earlier) those retro tin signs that bring instant nostalgia.

Papier-mâché may remind you of school crafts, but it’s one of the easiest ways to create lightweight, durable Halloween decorations you’ll actually want to keep. With nothing more than newspaper strips, glue and paint, you can craft oversized pumpkin heads, eerie masks or even a DIY candy bowl shaped like a witch’s cauldron. Once your creations are dry, seal them with a protective coat of varnish or spray sealer to make them sturdier and easier to store. The beauty of papier-mâché is that you can repaint or touch up your pieces each year, giving them a fresh look without starting from scratch — a perfect option if you like switching up your theme but don’t want to keep buying new decor.

If you have old curtains, table runners or scraps of fabric tucked away, Halloween is the perfect excuse to give them new life. A simple black or crimson fabric dye can instantly transform lace or cotton into eerie accents. Once dyed, lace panels can be draped across lampshades to create an eerie flicker, layered over mantels to mimic cobwebs or hung across mirrors for a haunted-house effect. Strips of fabric can be cut into tattered garlands and used to frame a doorway, or tied to stair railings to create a sense of decay. Smaller pieces are just as versatile — wrap them around candle holders for a gothic touch, stretch them across tabletops under candelabras or pin them loosely behind framed portraits to make the images look shadowed and sinister. Because fabric is lightweight and folds down compactly, you can store quite a lot without needing much space, and bring them out year after year for fresh uses.

A well-styled table can be just as memorable as a decorated porch or yard. Start with durable pieces that can become part of your seasonal collection, like black or silver candlesticks, glass cloches and cloth napkins in deep orange or purple. Cloches are especially versatile: fill them with faux spiders and moss one year, then switch to tiny pumpkins, bones or even glowing LED lights the next. Cast-iron cauldrons are another workhorse piece — they can hold candy for trick-or-treaters or serve as a punch bowl at a party (after Halloween, use them as a planter for fall mums). Layer these staples with other reusable accents, such as ceramic pumpkin bowls or etched glass goblets that can double as potion props.

Halloween is one of the easiest holidays to decorate for without spending a dime if you know where to look. Local Buy Nothing groups, neighborhood swap events and even community bulletin boards are full of people eager to pass along decorations they no longer use. One neighbor might be giving away a set of plastic skeletons, while another has outgrown inflatable yard decorations that are still in perfect condition. These groups are also great for costumes — parents often exchange kids’ outfits after just one season of wear — but the same principle applies to decor. Hosting your own “decoration swap” can be just as effective: invite friends or neighbors to bring gently used Halloween items and let everyone trade for something new-to-them.

Some of the best Halloween decorations don’t need to be packed away once November hits. A dramatic gilded mirror, wrought-iron lantern or dark wood candlestick can feel right at home as everyday decor, then take on a spooky edge with the addition of cobwebs and black taper candles when Halloween arrives. Investing in these versatile pieces means you’re not only building a Halloween collection, but also enhancing your home’s year-round style. For example, a moody chandelier can be a striking centerpiece in your dining room year-round, then double as a focal point for a haunted-house look when paired with gauzy drapes and orange bulbs in October. Even furniture can play into this — think velvet chairs or an ornate side table that can be styled for Halloween with a cauldron, candelabra or a stack of vintage books. By leaning into items that can pull double duty, you’ll save storage space and have decor that evolves with the season instead of disappearing into bins.

Storing your Halloween decorations properly is key to ensuring you can reuse them every year. When it’s time to put your Halloween items away, begin by thoroughly cleaning them to remove dust and dirt, especially if they were used outside. For delicate items, such as animatronics or light fixtures, make sure to store them in their original packaging or wrap them in bubble pack or soft cloth to prevent any damage. Launder and dry fabric items like costumes and tablecloths, and be sure to store them in a cool, dry place, ideally in vacuum-sealed bags to prevent mildew and protect from insects. Where possible, place everything in sturdy storage containers like plastic bins, which are more durable than cardboard boxes and can protect your decorations from moisture and pests. While you can store items in a basement or garage, consider placing them in a climate-controlled storage unit to clear space in your home for items you’ll need on a more regular basis.

If you want more tips on styling your home or storing seasonal items you don’t need at the moment, check out our other guides on the SmartStop blog. In the meantime, happy decorating!