We Asked a Designer to Share the Halloween Decor That’s Always Tacky—and She Didn’t Hold Back

When decorating for Halloween, it can be tempting to think that anything goes on the front porch. But the wrong seasonal items can downgrade the curb appeal of your home.

We asked a designer to weigh in on front porch Halloween decoration eyesores to avoid, with advice on how to tastefully decorate for the holiday instead. 

Too Much of Anything

Too much of anything will make your Halloween porch look cluttered and tacky.

“Packing a porch with every seasonal prop in sight might seem festive, but it ends up feeling chaotic,” says interior designer Lauren Saab. “When too many small pieces compete and nothing stands out, it doesn’t give your eye a place to rest.”

Focus on a few strong pieces like a Halloween wreath or sculptural grouping by the door that give the eye a clear focal point and celebrate the holiday without going overboard, she suggests.

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Inflatable Figurines

Giant cartoonish inflatable figurines take over a porch and make the entry feel “more like a theme park than a home,” Saab cautions. “They grab attention, but in all the wrong ways,” she explains, by overpowering everything else you might have done.”

For a tasteful display that makes an impact while blending in with the architecture, she suggests stacking pumpkins in different sizes or flanking the door with tall planters filled with branches.

Glow-in-the-Dark Witches

Garish colors on Halloween decorations or lighting look harsh and inexpensive.

“Those glow-in-the-dark witches and neon ghouls never feel sophisticated,” Saab warns. “The bright colors clash with the tones of fall and distract from the house itself.”

The designer recommends selecting a darker palette, incorporating black, rust, or even deep plum that reads as dramatic but still complements the season.

Plastic Decorations

Whether it’s a plastic skeleton or a row of fake pumpkins, artificial materials will lend your porch a basic look.

“Overly glossy or metallic seasonal decorations can look harsh in daylight,” Saab advises. “They pull attention from the architecture, distract from the overall composition, and end up feeling more synthetic than authentic.”

Compose your outdoor Halloween decorations using natural materials instead. Mix in wood, stone, and dried foliage for a more organic look and sustainable approach to seasonal decor.

Dark and Gloomy Vignettes

Be wary of overly macabre decor that drags down the mood and gives your home an unwelcoming feel for trick-or-treaters, neighbors, and passersby.

“The spooky season is known for dark and eerie scenes, but when everything on your porch reads as dark, you lose the personality and contrast that make a space feel alive,” Saab says. “Light is what gives the mood dimension. Bring in lanterns or candles to create warmth and balance.”