Simple Halloween Decor Ideas for a Modern Victorian Home

^{I have a confession, or maybe it’s a cry for help! But the truth is, I don’t love Halloween decor. I don’t hate it, and I love a party theme as much as the next person. But orange and black are not my favorite color combinations. I’m more of a classic white kind of gal.}

^{However, I’m also the mother of two excited kids and one jokester of a husband who would opt for a full-size skeleton in every room of the house if I gave him a chance! So, this year, I committed myself to finding a happy medium. Some seasonal decor that gets everyone in the holiday mood without ruining my vibe!}

^{To start, there are some things you need to know about my home. My family and I live in a three-story Victorian house in Baltimore, Maryland. Our home has large rooms with many original features and very high ceilings. And while our house was built in the Victorian Era, our style is decidedly not Victorian.}

^{Historically, Victorian decor might include rich fabrics, jewel tones, rich colors, ornate furniture, and intricate wallpaper. But I’ve chosen to swap out those opulent designs and traditional Victorian style for a color scheme that is more contemporary and less Victorian-period design.  I prefer clean, bright colors, white walls, and contemporary designs. I am really happy with how my favorite simple, modern design elements blend with this Victorian-era house to create a style that is totally unique to us.}

^{Decorating for other holidays has been easy and fun. Let’s face it: a beautiful Christmas tree fits almost any decor. But I knew I wanted to create a simple Halloween look that would be a perfect balance with our style.  Check out this list if you have a similar style and are looking for easy ways to decorate your Victorian home with a modern twist for Halloween.}

^{Identify your color palette and stick with it.}

^{As I mentioned, and as you can see from the photos below, my personal home decor style leans more light and bright than it does classic Halloween colors. It’s really important to me that any seasonal decor coordinates with the established color palette of my house. That may not be as important to you, and that’s totally okay. But, if you notice that you’re turned off by the bold colors of certain seasonal decor, what you may be noticing is that the colors aren’t doing your home design justice.}

^{Take a look around your living space and notice the colors you see in your throw pillows, side tables, and other decor elements. Maybe you see a lot of deep colors and intricate patterns, or maybe, like me, you see white walls, wood tones, brass accents, and lots of preloved pieces. As you hunt for Halloween decor, watch for items in colors that would complement your existing home.}

^{Integrate your pieces with your existing design.}

^{When considering the types of items to purchase, I lean toward simple shapes and natural elements. I love how these adorable pumpkins coordinate with my everyday decor and serve as a fun reminder that the seasons are changing and the holidays are upon us. If you, too, want Halloween decor that plays a supporting role in your home decor, I highly recommend leaning into subtle, natural shapes and materials. For example, I’ve chosen gourds, grasses, and woven textures to blend beautifully with my favorite architectural details and decorative elements.}

^{If you want to push yourself into slightly more spooky territory, you might consider classic skulls or spiders that give the vibes of spooky Victorian spaces.}

^{Integrate your pieces with your existing design.}

^{Because Victorian homes typically have larger rooms, you may be tempted to add seasonal items to your existing decor. This is a really quick way to make your home look cluttered. Consider swapping out summer items with Halloween decor to create an integrated look. The best way to organize this, whether in a large or small space, is to group your decor together. Avoid spreading seasonal decor all over every shelf and coffee table in your home.} 

^{Look for preloved decor items.}  

^{One of my favorite things to do is go thrifting. I go thrift shopping at least once a week. Typically, I shop for home decor, special gifts for friends and family, and all kinds of beautiful vintage things. I even have a list of my favorite local thrift stores. When you buy something used (whether at charity shops or on Facebook Marketplace), you can be confident that it will last because it has already stood the test of time for over one hundred years.}

^{Thrifting is also the easiest way to shop responsibly. It’s less expensive and ensures that many beautiful pieces stay out of the trash. You can click here and here to read more about thrifting and styling.} 

^{I really care a lot about creating a beautiful, welcoming space in my home. But sometimes, you just have to let your family have a little fun. As much as I fought it, I finally had to give in to my husband’s favorite skeleton. If you look closely at some of the photos above, you can see him peering through my gorgeous Victorian sash windows!}

^{As much time and effort I spend making my space look good, what is even more important to me is that our home is a great place for my whole family to gather and relax. Sometimes, that means I have to give a little and let my husband stage a baseball hat-wearing skeleton on the swing on our front porch.}

^{I am so grateful to live in such a special home. It’s my goal to celebrate the intricacies of Victorian-era construction while also honoring my style and the needs of my family. I hope this inspires you. You, too, can blend styles with your old home and find a way to celebrate each holiday without losing sight of your vision.}