In the mood for spooky? Look to our designer-curated list of front-door Halloween decorations you'll want to reuse for years to come.
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11 Spooky Halloween Decorations for Your Front Door
Updated on Oct. 22, 2024
Spooky season is right around the corner, which means it’s almost time to decorate your home for Halloween again. If you don’t have time to decorate your entire lawn and porch, focus on the one place that matters most: The front door, where trick-or-treaters will be knocking. And if you find yourself in a pinch, last-minute Halloween decor can come in handy, too.
Whether you’ve got plenty of time to decorate your house for Halloween or need to decorate in a jiffy, there are plenty of chilling options. From oversized spiders to more traditional pumpkins and ghosts, you can create a front door entrance that sparks an eerie first impression. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite Halloween decorations for your front door that runs the gamut from eek to chic.
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Halloween Hanging Zombie
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Life-Size Chilling Chantal
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The Deadly Creeper
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Hanging Bats
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Light-Up Hanging Ghosts
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Skeleton Hand Wreath Holder
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Glowing Luminary Globe
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Faux Black Branch Wreath
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Pumpkin Lanterns
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Eye Doorbell
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Ghost Projector
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Halloween Hanging Zombie
If you stand on the spookier side of the decor spectrum, this zombie groundbreaker’s decaying teeth and punctured skin may pique your interest. Add a slightly spooky touch to your Halloween porch decor by hanging him from your porch or positioning him on the ground to scare off trick-or-treaters. You can also team it up with a fog machine to get the perfect spooky look for the holiday season!
No matter your front entrance layout, you can place this Halloween decoration from Amazon anywhere since it’s made of weather-resistant plastic and fabric. Bonus: If you like this, you’ll definitely love these Halloween animatronics that’ll give the entire neighborhood a scare.
Life-Size Chilling Chantal
For another ghoulish decorating idea, this life-size Halloween figure will set an eerie mood wherever you place her. Despite being made from a plastic torso, this ghoul lady’s face and hands are skillfully painted, making her look uncompromisingly real. Designed for covered outdoor use, she stands over 5 feet tall and sports a fur-lined cape with glowing eyes powered by batteries on a 6-hour timer. Once the sun goes down, she is sure to cause a fright if you’re looking for scary Halloween decorations for your yard.
The Deadly Creeper
For another hauntingly front-door decorating idea, why not use a 3-foot-tall arachnid? Fully equipped with all the spider moves and noises, try hanging your creepy crawler from your ceiling or nestle him on the ground. This animated Halloween prop comes with a 10-foot cord, an external speaker jack and volume control.
Hanging Bats
If spiders, zombies and ghoul ladies are just a tad beyond your comfort zone, how about a few bats instead? Dot your front entrance with a colony of flying and upside-down bats, creating movement and interest at your front door. Mount your bats on any dry, clean surface hanging each bat’s cotton cord loop on a hook or screw.
Also, check out how to make this laundry basket skeleton cage to level up your Halloween decoration game.
Light-Up Hanging Ghosts
Give your front door a classic, spooky appeal with these white-sheeted, light-up ghosts. These airy floating figures come with a wire loop for hanging, 30 LED bulbs in warm white, and a timer that runs for 6 hours. For added interest, use a Halloween projector to create a spine-chilling backdrop for your ghosts to “boo” in.
Skeleton Hand Wreath Holder
This boney indoor-outdoor wreath holder has an antique bronze finish and adds a touch of Halloween spirit to your front entrance. Pair it with a whimsical wreath or a more autumnal style, like the front-door Halloween decoration next on our list.
Glowing Luminary Globe
If you’re looking to add character to your entryway, line your stairs or walkways with a few mystical balls. Each luminary globe features a 360-degree, detailed Halloween scene, including a haunted mansion, a witch in flight and bats. These globes come with an auto-timer, so they’ll glow for 6 hours and then turn off automatically for 18 hours.
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Faux Black Branch Wreath
Wreaths are a design staple when it comes to decorating front doors. And while most wreaths flaunt lively elements—this one does not. Constructed of a circular set of jet-black twigs (and deathly vibes), this multipurpose wreath can be a frightful front-door Halloween decoration or table centerpiece. Simply harbor one candle in a glass jar or multiple votive candles in the center to top off this look.
You can even DIY some faux blood and ooze in a few droplets on each branch for a scarier effect. Since this piece is constructed of plastic and iron, its branches are completely bendable—so mend it into your ideal shape without worrying about snapping its branches. And though this piece is recommended for indoor use, it should still work well in sheltered entrances.
Pumpkin Lanterns
For a decorating idea that’s still hauntingly stylish—line your porch or sidewalk with these metal pumpkin lanterns. Crafted from 100% iron, these lanterns will hold up for years to come. These lanterns make an ideal alternative to classic orange jack-o-lanterns. Each lantern also features a faceted shape with ample room inside to light a wax or outdoor-safe flameless pillar candle.
In case you’re planning to decorate with some real pumpkins, here’s what paint to use for pumpkins. Also, make sure to avoid spooky plumbing mishaps with pumpkin guts this Halloween.
Eye Doorbell
Why not jazz up your front door with a green-lit doorbell with an opening eye? This eye glows at night, and its animation is smooth. Though this bell can’t connect to your doorbell, it does make a few scary sounds that will absolutely bring your guests some fright this Halloween. Get ready to get spooky! From scary to silly, these Halloween door decorations are DIY friendly and will boost your home’s curb appeal.
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Ghost Projector
This outdoor LED ghost projector is a perfect choice if you want to maximize the spooky factor without much manual labor. Simply set it up facing your home, plug it in and enjoy the eerie light show. It’s IP44-rated for water resistance, making it suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
What to Look for When Buying Halloween Decorations for Your Front Door
When buying Halloween decorations for your front door, consider the following:
- Durability: Choose decorations built to withstand outdoor conditions, especially rain, wind or sun. If you pick something more delicate, ensure you have ways to protect it, such as waterproof sprays or placement under a covered area.
- Ease of Installation: Make sure the decoration is easy to set up. Some items may require only simple placement, while others need mounting or special fixtures to stay secure.
- Theme and Style: Decide on the level of spookiness you want. Kid-friendly options like ghosts and pumpkins work well for light-hearted themes, while more intense decorations like zombies fit darker, scarier vibes.
- Lighting Features: Consider how your decorations will be seen after dark. Some come with built-in lights; if not, you may need to add lighting to ensure they stand out.
- Size and Proportions: Ensure the decor fits your front door space. Check dimensions to avoid items being too large or too small for your setup.
- Reusability: Opt for sturdy, weatherproof materials if you plan to reuse decorations. Proper storage will also help them last for multiple seasons.
Why You Should Trust Us
Shivani Vyas is an interior design expert for Family Handyman, specializing in interior design, decorating and home improvement. With over five years of industry experience, she has expertise in whole-room furnishing, decor, space planning and color consulting. In addition to her work for Family Handyman, her contributions have appeared in Better Homes & Gardens, MyDomaine and Atlanta Magazine.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Family Handyman, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
How We Found the Best Halloween Door Decorations
In our search for the best Halloween front door decorations, we considered dozens of pieces, from classic wreaths to mechanized ghouls, to offer a range of both traditional and modern options. We focused on decor inspired by classic Halloween themes like pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts, cats and bats. After careful evaluation, we narrowed our selections to the standout items here.
FAQ
How can I protect my decorations from bad weather?
Place your decorations under an awning or overhang for protection. Using a weatherproof spray can shield fabric pieces from rain, sleet and snow. Staking decorations securely will help prevent them from blowing away. In extreme weather, consider moving decorations inside until the storm passes.
What are some popular Halloween front-door themes?
Popular themes include pumpkins, skeletons, ghosts, black cats, bats, spiders and other haunted house-related items.
How do I store Halloween decorations after use?
To keep decorations in good condition, store them in dedicated plastic bins or totes. We have a guide with over 50 options to help with storage solutions.
