Vintage Halloween Decor Is This Season's Hottest Trend: 7 Ways Designers Are Using It

Secondhand decorating is one of the most popular trends right now, so it comes as no surprise that the vintage aesthetic is taking over Halloween decor this year. There's something about a collection of vintage pieces that feels inherently right for Halloween. "These pieces already hold a sense of memory and mystery, and not knowing their full story is what makes them feel a little ghostly,” says interior designer Tami O’Malley.

Whether it's a foxed mirror or an antiqued brass candelabra, vintage decor comes with an authentic patina and aged character that big-box stores just can't replicate. Below, interior designers share their favorite ways to bring vintage charm—and a touch of mystery—to your Halloween decor.

1. Create a Haunting Display with Antique Mirrors

Lean an antique mirror on a mantel or console table to create a haunting focal point this Halloween. "They bounce candlelight beautifully and give off a moody, ghostly feel," says interior designer Erin Carlson. The more foxed or aged the mirror, the better in this case—it adds a touch of mystery that's perfect for Halloween.

2. Layer Vintage Decor to Add Character

Skip the generic plastic Halloween decor this year and use vintage decorative accents to add character to vignettes, mantles, and table centerpieces. O’Malley and Carlson suggest picking up a couple of empty gilded or carved picture frames and adding a silhouette, old black and white, or sepia-toned photos for instant character. Continue the vintage Halloween theme with brass or silver candleholders. "This is the time for tarnish over polish—e’re going for the 'as they were found' look—moody, aged, and dripping," O’Malley says. To complete the look, she suggests bringing in old books and clocks to create a spooky little scene. "Dusty novels, a mantel clock, or even a broken pocket watch bring that 'time standing still' vibe," she says.

3. Display Curiosities in Glass Cloches

Glass cloches are one of the most useful decorative accents you can keep in your decorating arsenal. They're great for styling shelves, protecting candles, and in October, you can display spooky curiosities like glass eyeballs in them. O’Malley and Carlson love the idea of creating a spooky museum moment with glass cloches, an old bust, or even taxidermy pieces for a collected, eerie touch. Other oddities and relics the designers say add to the vintage Halloween theme include skeleton keys, cracked teacups, magnifying glasses, and even hats that look like they've been left behind. "These little things feel like mementos of another life," Carlson says.

4. Style Vignettes with Old Apothecary Bottles

"To infuse vintage charm into your Halloween decorating schemes, try styling with old apothecary bottles," says interior designer Shivani Vyas of Studio Vyas. For a playful and extra spooky touch, she suggests getting creative with labels and naming each bottle with things like Witches Brew, Spider Venom, or Zombie Elixir.

5. Embrace Nostalgia with Childhood Halloween Decor

According to designer Meredith McKenzie, part of the reason why vintage Halloween decor is trending is the comforting sense of nostalgia it represents. It brings back childhood memories of dressing up in homemade costumes and decorating the house with hand-crafted decorations—something you can easily re-create today. "Think papier-mâché or crocheted pumpkins, fabric ghosts made from old sheets, homemade garlands, framed silhouette cut-outs, corn husk dolls, vintage-style treat bags, and hand-poured candles with dried herbs fall foliage, or flowers," she says. Unlike some of today's mass-produced and impersonal Halloween decorations, McKenzie says vintage and homemade decor feels more soulful and offers a sustainable way to decorate your home in a unique way.

6. Add Whimsical Elements

"Adding a few whimsical elements like fabric bats, quirky antique sculptures, or playful color accents will bring a lighthearted twist to your vintage Halloween setup," Vyas says. Take the designer's tip and sprinkle in charming little details such as a fabric witch's hat, antiqued glass pumpkins, a vintage light-up Halloween village, or sculptural glass skeleton serving bowls. They're a great alternative to plastic Halloween decor and add instant vintage charm.

7. Lean Into Sustainability

The vintage Halloween decor trend also goes hand-in-hand with the sustainable decorating movement which embraces repurposing what you have and breathing new life into old treasures. Plus the good thing about a vintage theme is that you don't have to go overboard or spend a ton of money to give your home a spooky makeover. "A few thrifted treasures styled in little vignettes can completely elevate the mood—and you might even have some of these pieces tucked away in your basement or cabinets already," O’Malley says.