Vintage Halloween Decorating Ideas

These vintage halloween decorating ideas are perfect for older homes and houses designed in a historical style. Here’s how to celebrate halloween with a nod to the past.

Living in an older home, I like to take a heritage-inspired approach to most of my decorating, and that counts for holidays and special occasions as well. When it comes to vintage halloween decor, you might think of brightly colored, often expensive, reproductions of vintage style faux pumpkins, printed textiles like tablecloths and napkins, or large scale porch decor pieces. Those are all fun and very stylish, but the ideas that I’m talking about today are good, old-fashioned decorating projects that you can make the way you would have have to before there were so many options available in stores. My favorite decor is always those pieces that are handmade using things that you already have and things that you can gather from outside. Although this is a very inexpensive and simple way of decorating, I find it’s also often the most beautiful and the most interesting. If you love this decorating style as well, here are some of my favorite vintage halloween decorating ideas.

Paper Cut Out Bats

Pictured Above: Green Gingham Curtains (CREEKLINEHOUSE for 22% off) | Antique Bronze Curtains Rods | Rug | French Market Basket | Mirror | Similar Chair | Similar Vintage Style Picnic Basket

You can cut your own bats out of black card stock or buy pre-cut paper bats online. These might seem like a cheap, wasteful decoration, but if you store them carefully, they can be reused year after year. The idea here is elegance, subtlety, and a hint of whimsy, so I find paper bats are best displayed on their own or with other lightly autumnal decor, rather than with a whole lot of other busy Halloween decorations.

More Timeless Halloween decorating ideas for your home: Top Ten Dollar Store Halloween Decor Finds

Torn Fabric Ribbon for Bows

Pictured Above: Sconces | Wicker Shades | Cafe Curtains  (color is “Dusty Blue.” Use CREEKLINEHOUSE for 22% off)

I love the handmade feel that torn fabric ribbon brings to any display. Use an orange and black plaid fabric for an effect that instantly feels perfect for Halloween. I love to tie bows on light fixtures, candlesticks, or the stems of pumpkins to add a little charm to my Halloween displays. These bows were made from a thrifted men’s flannel shirt.

Heirloom Variety Pumpkins

Pictured Above: Green Gingham Curtains (CREEKLINEHOUSE for 22% off) | Antique Bronze Curtains Rods | Rug | French Market Basket | Mirror | Similar Chair | Similar Vintage Style Picnic Basket

There is no wrong pumpkin type, but interesting heirloom varieties lend and old-fashioned vibe to your Halloween decor and give the sense of a connection to the past. Find a local farm stand that stocks a large selection of different pumpkin types for you to choose from, or you can grow them yourself if you start planning in the early summer.

Candles

Candles bring a little magic to a space at any time of year, but while they can feel soft and elegant at Christmastime, their dim, flickering light can feel a little bit spooky and mysterious when paired with other decorative Halloween pieces. Don’t skip the candles, and make them the real deal whenever possible. I stock up on basic tea lights, pillar candles, and taper candles in bulk so I always have them when I need them.

Homemade Halloween ideas for your porch and yard: DIY Outdoor Halloween Decor Projects

Twinkle Lights

Pictured Above : Rug | Coffee Table | Plaid Pillow Covers (22% off with CREEKLINEHOUSE) | Blue Curtains (code is good for these as well)

You may associate twinkle lights with the winter season, but when you pair them with autumnal botanicals and classic Halloween decor, they bring a mysterious, magical vibe to your home. Here I added twinkle lights to a vase of dried hydrangeas and I love the effect.

Black Lace Over Lamps or Anything

Pictured Above: Wall Art Frames | Curtains (color is “Travertine.” Use CREEKLINEHOUSE for 22% off | Similar Black Lace Lampshade Covers

It’s easy to find black lace at the dollar store during the lead-up to the Halloween season, or you may find just what you need at the thrift store as well. Black Lace draped over lamps is a classic way to bring a moody, ominous vibe to a space, but it also looks just right draped over mirrors, chandeliers, or stairwells.

Tiny Spiders – Creepy and Cute

Pictured Above: Sconces | Wicker Shades | Cafe Curtains  (color is “Dusty Blue.” Use CREEKLINEHOUSE for 22% off)

I’m not sure how it happens, but a row of little spiders crawling up your wall is suddenly delightful and almost cute during the Halloween season. Skip the fake spider webs and just buy a pack of fake spiders that you can reuse in different ways around your home year after year.

Floating Witch Hats

Pictured Above : Rug | Coffee Table | Plaid Pillow Covers (22% off with CREEKLINEHOUSE) | Blue Curtains (code is good for these as well)

Floating witch hats are always so much fun. They make a big impact without feeling like too much and it helps that they’re so easy to pull off as well. Hang the hats at different heights for the most classic look. Mine came from the dollar store and they’re just right for this. I find with Halloween decor that simple, classic pieces feel the most elevated, and there’s no need to spend a lot on fancy high end decor. Classic and old fashioned is always the most affordable and the most charming.

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