When Halloween rolls around, it’s easy to get caught up in the spirit of the season and go all out with your decorations. But there’s a fine line between creating a spooky atmosphere and turning your home into a tacky horror show.
Not all Halloween decor is created equal, and some items can instantly cheapen the aesthetic of your home. To help you avoid the common pitfalls of Halloween decorating, here’s a list of twelve items that can instantly make your decor look tacky.
1. Neon-Colored Plastic Pumpkins
If you’re aiming for a classic and sophisticated Halloween look, neon-colored plastic pumpkins probably aren’t the best choice. These overly bright decorations can easily overshadow the rest of your decor and create a tacky, chaotic look. While they might be a hit with the kids, they won’t do much for your home’s overall aesthetic.
Instead, consider using real pumpkins or more neutral-colored ones. You can find some great examples of tasteful pumpkin decorations on Veranda’s list of luxury Halloween decorations.
2. Oversized Yard Inflatables
While oversized yard inflatables can be fun, they’re not exactly the epitome of tasteful decor. They’re often brightly colored, cartoonish, and just plain over the top. Not to mention, they can be a real eyesore during the daytime when they’re deflated and lying on the ground.
If you’re looking for yard decorations that won’t make your home look like a children’s party venue, there are plenty of other options. Architectural Digest has a great gallery of elevated Halloween decoration ideas that you can check out for inspiration.
3. Flashing LED Lights and Strobe Lights
Flashing lights can be disorienting and even annoying to some people, especially if they’re overly bright or fast. They can also create a chaotic and uninviting atmosphere, which is the opposite of what you want when you’re trying to create a spooky yet welcoming Halloween vibe.
Instead of relying on flashing lights for your decor, try using more subtle and atmospheric lighting. A few well-placed candles or lanterns can create a much more elegant and spooky ambiance.
4. Cheap, Plastic Skeletons
Cheap, plastic skeletons can often look just that – cheap. They’re usually not very detailed or realistic, and they can easily break or fade in the sun. Plus, they’re such a common Halloween decoration that they can end up making your home look generic and uninspired.
If you want to include skeletons in your decor, there are plenty of higher-quality options available. You can find some great examples in this Realtor.com article about the tackiest Halloween home decor to avoid.
5. Overused Cobweb Decorations
Cobwebs are a Halloween classic, but they’re so commonly used that they can easily become cliché. Plus, if they’re not applied carefully, they can look messy and unrealistic. And let’s not forget about the environmental impact of all that disposable plastic.
Instead of using store-bought cobwebs, why not get creative and make your own decorations? There are countless DIY Halloween decor ideas out there that are not only more sustainable, but also more unique and visually appealing.
6. Bloody Window Stickers
Bloody window stickers can be a fun way to add a touch of horror to your Halloween decor, but they can also look cheap and tacky if they’re not done right. They’re often overly bright and unrealistic, and they can leave a sticky residue on your windows that’s a pain to clean up.
Instead of using bloody window stickers, consider creating a more subtle and sophisticated horror vibe with other types of decorations. You could use dark curtains, atmospheric lighting, or even DIY window silhouettes to create a spooky scene.
7. Glowing, Plastic Ghosts
Glowing, plastic ghosts are another Halloween decoration that can easily look cheap and tacky. They’re often poorly made, with unrealistic shapes and overly bright colors. Plus, they require batteries or an electrical outlet, which can limit where you can place them.
If you want to include ghostly figures in your decor, there are plenty of better options. For example, you could create your own ghost decorations using fabric and starch, or you could use projection technology to create realistic ghostly apparitions.
8. Excessive Caution Tape
Caution tape can be a fun way to add a touch of danger to your Halloween decor, but it can also look tacky if it’s used excessively. It’s often brightly colored and plasticky, and it can easily overwhelm the rest of your decor.
If you want to use caution tape in your decor, consider using it sparingly and in a way that complements the rest of your decorations. For example, you could use it to outline a spooky scene in your yard, or you could use it to create a barrier around a haunted house display.
9. Hanging Witch Hats
Hanging witch hats can be a fun and festive addition to your Halloween decor, but they can also look tacky if they’re not done right. They’re often made of cheap, shiny fabric that can look artificial and unattractive. Plus, they can easily get blown around by the wind and end up looking messy and disorganized.
If you want to include witch hats in your decor, consider using higher-quality hats or creating your own. You can find some great DIY witch hat tutorials online, or you could even try making your own out of felt or other natural materials.
10. Orange and Black Streamers
Orange and black are the classic Halloween colors, but using them in the form of cheap, plastic streamers can easily make your decor look tacky. They’re often overly bright and shiny, and they can easily get tangled and messy.
If you want to use orange and black in your decor, there are plenty of more tasteful ways to do so. For example, you could use orange and black candles, lanterns, or even natural elements like pumpkins and autumn leaves.
11. Dollar Store Mask Decorations
Dollar store masks can be a fun and affordable way to add a touch of Halloween spirit to your decor, but they can also look cheap and tacky. They’re often poorly made, with unrealistic colors and shapes, and they can easily break or fade in the sun.
If you want to include masks in your decor, consider investing in higher-quality masks or creating your own. You can find some great DIY mask tutorials online, or you could even try making your own out of paper mache or other craft materials.
12. Any Decor That Makes Excessive Noise
Noise-making decorations can be a fun way to add some extra spookiness to your Halloween decor, but they can also be annoying and tacky if they’re used excessively. They’re often overly loud and repetitive, and they can easily startle or irritate your neighbors.
Instead of relying on noise-making decorations, consider creating a spooky atmosphere with other types of decor. You could use atmospheric lighting, creepy sound effects, or even a spooky playlist to create the perfect Halloween vibe.