Elegant Halloween decorations for a frightfully good party

Six chic outdoor decor ideas to give your guests goosebumps (for all the right reasons)

Gather friends into the garden for one more outdoor celebration, before the patio furniture is brought in for winter. Why not cocoon yourselves in blankets and set up for an outdoor movie night with old fashioned horror films on the bill? – Frankenstein; Dracula; The Birds…

If dripping fangs and squashed eyeballs bring you out in a cold sweat, banish the gore and amp up the glamour. For a fabulously elegant Halloween soiree, I love a gothic theme with over-the-top monochrome decor. 

Here are six outdoor decorating ideas I picked out to inspire you...

1. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Bring an indoor-outdoor mirror into your garden space. The reflections and movement create an uncanny other-worldly atmosphere, especially as the sun drops low in the sky and the beautiful autumn light is caught in the glass.

I love this antique-style mirror from Rockett St. George. I would elevate the levels of eerie elegance and decorate the glass with crow silhouettes.

2. Lighting for Brooding and Shadows

It goes without saying that the lighting at any Halloween party should be low. Create shadows with flickering candles placed in stark metal lanterns or atop gloriously over-the-top candelabras.

These Graham and Green outdoor monkey lights are fabulous and would make such a talking point.

Mischevious monkeys are perfect for (tasteful) Halloween decor. I think they switch from mischievous and fun to wicked and menancing in a blink!

3. Dramatic Planting

If you are a little green-fingered then take the elegant Halloween theme through to your patio planting. Choose a variety of textured black plant stands, and fill them with Black Mondo Grass – a spiky perennial with a fantastic brooding colour. Its leaves create a striking contrast planted up with snowdrops.

I also like Viola Molly Sanderson which will provide a glorious show of black satin flowers all the way to the end of October.

4. Eerie Soundscapes

To create a spooky atmosphere for your guests, you can’t forget the background sounds. Music is fantastic of course, but for capturing the wind rustling in fading leaves, you can’t beat an old-fashioned wind chime! These black metal wind chimes are not, in fact, old-fashioned at all, and instead are beautiful to listen to (not tinny or annoying). They would, I think, add a delightfully unsettling feel to an outdoor horror movie night!

5. Painted Pumpkins

What would Halloween be these days without pumpkins? Pile them up outside your door, or use them as a centrepiece. This DIY idea for a black pumpkin decorated with fresh white flowers is beautiful, glamorous, and somehow just a little sinister.  

If you're less keen on managing a rotting pumpkin after the party, decorate your tables with these cute chunky china pumpkins from Marigold and Lettice.

6. Black and White Striped Bean Chair

For living-room comfort outdoors I love our Armadillo Sun bean bag chairs. This design in black and white stripe would add the perfect Beetlejuice vibe to a Halloween horror movie night. Its weatherproof fabric won’t be scared of the weather - or any spills from glasses dropped in fright!

What are your views on Halloween? An opportunity for a party, or do you leave it to the children?

If you’d like some ideas for an outdoor movie night take a look here – or if you’re getting cosy for the changing of the seasons take a look at how you can use your outdoor furniture indoors here.