How to mix fall and Halloween decor? Or how to use vintage and thrift store Halloween decorations? Or how to create tasteful, simple yet stylish Halloween decor? Have you asked yourself any of these questions? Do you have minimal holiday decor but want to decorate for Halloween this year? Here is a guide to using everyday items you can find in a thrift store or garage sale to give your home a low key and old fashioned Halloween vibe. None of the traditional jack-o-lanterns, skeletons and witches. These everyday garage sale finds to use as vintage Halloween decor will satisfy your creative but not-too-ghoulish side.
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Ok, I’ll confess something…I hate Halloween decorations. Honestly, I’m not much of a fan of Halloween itself. But the over-the-top grossness, creepiness, tackiness is, well, it’s just too much. (I’m not a scary movie type of person either, so that may be part of it.)
If you’re more of an Alfred Hitchcock kind of person instead of a haunt-you-in-your-dreams horror movie kind of person like me, then keep reading! I’ll give you a list of everyday secondhand items that you may already have that will give you a bit of classic scare but will mesh perfectly with your fall decor.
Where to Find Vintage Halloween Decor
I go to garage sales, estate sales and thrift shops one morning each week. For two weeks (so two separate mornings), I kept my eyes open for inexpensive items that could be used for Halloween decor with a little creativity. I found so much for so cheap! I’ll include prices of items I bought with the decoration suggestions below.
Pro tip: most of what I found was at estate sales. EstateSales.net is a great way to find upcoming and local sales in your zip code. You can browse the photos online before going in person. I looked out for sales that had shelves of vintage books and houses filled with items that looked to be from the 1970’s or before. I didn’t find one single thing of my vintage Halloween collection from the “Halloween decorations table” that most sales have. Those are usually filled with the traditional, plastic pumpkin buckets and witches.
I also shopped my home and household items, which is something I always encourage people to do first. Look through this list of everyday items to see if you already own something and don’t have to spend a lot of money on extra stuff that needs stored until next year.
Guidelines of What to Look For
I wanted this simple yet classy Halloween decor to mix well with my inexpensive fall decorations. I don’t have time to be constantly changing decorations. And as a self-proclaimed “essentialist,” I don’t want to store tons of vintage Halloween collectibles or new items eleven months out of the year.
I picked a loose theme of classic literature as well as abandoned (not haunted) houses. (Think authors like Edgar Allen Poe and Nathaniel Hawthorne.)
Every Garage Sale Finds to Use As Vintage Halloween Decor
Simple Halloween Shelf Decor
I liked sticking with black or a couple different colors of a darker nature. Add a splash of red (like the titles of the books and red lights) and an ornate gold frame (for an old Victorian abandoned house vibe) to capture your attention.
I found mine for $3 because of a broken ear. I touched up the ear with black paint and turned it to the back so you can’t see the damage.
Any cheap bird, cat or mouse figurine spray painted black
Classy Halloween Front Porch Decorations
My front porch Halloween ideas are centered around an abandoned farmhouse. (Since we’ve been renovating our farmhouse for three years, it wasn’t too hard for me to picture this.) It’s a great place to mix fall and Halloween decor for a great welcome to trick-or-treaters and friends alike.
Tip: Choose only one large broken item (ie broken window, falling apart rocking chair, broken door cabinet) to keep it from looking like a place you’re dumping your trash!
Dried grasses and flowers from the yard or ditch
Branches painted black
Antique window with broken glass pane
Cabinet with door hanging off hinge
Carved Jack-o-Lantern (Because, well, it’s classic)
Dead plant in broken pot under glass
Simple DIY Halloween Centerpiece
I don’t like a ton of things on my table (even when we live in a larger house), so we keep centerpieces at our eating table simple. But you can use these ideas for an entryway table, side table or vintage Halloween party centerpiece as well!
Tarnished silver or pewter bowl
Crocheted tablecloth or large doily
Free Vintage Halloween Printable Artwork and Wall Decor
You can have vintage artwork that gives a slightly spooky vibe to your decorations without spending a lot of (or any) money. Download my free vintage Halloween printable artwork for a collection of old book pages, classic literature art, old postcards and more.
Book Lover Halloween Party Decor Ideas
Are you hosting a Halloween party this year? Or maybe you want to make your monthly book club a little more spooky. As a book lover, I enjoyed making this book themed Halloween party arrangement. Again, visit local thrift stores or estate sale with old books at a good price. Then scan the titles or the right cover color for a great Halloween book collection.
Books with classic scary titles
Silver or pewter candle holders
Silver Teapot (usable one to serve from is a bonus!)
Typewriter with a scary poem typed out
Old Fashioned Halloween Decor for Apartments
We don’t live in an apartment, but we DO live in a single wide mobile home. So I get the difficulty of wanting to decorate and having almost no extra space to do it. Here are some great small home vintage Halloween decorations that will mesh with your autumn decor while also giving you a little bit of creepiness.
Worn antique mirror (with ornate frame)
Miniature distressed concrete tombstones
Dying roses under glass cloches or in vase
Tall black metal can/umbrella holder
Halloween Bedroom and Living Room Decor
It’s fun to add just a touch of seasonal decor to your bedroom, whether it’s a master bedroom or guest bedroom. Or you can use these vintage pieces for your Halloween living room decor or any of the main thoroughfares and interior spaces in your home.
Psychiatric hospital/cemetery sign
Dried rose petals
Ceramic Christmas light up house spray painted black
Whether you’re a classic literature lover, antique treasure hunter or just not that into Halloween, these everyday garage sale finds to use as vintage Halloween decor are for you. Add a touch of simple spooky decor to your small home or apartment, office, party, front porch or front yard. Many of these vintage items can be things you already have or can find for a very reasonable price. Happy decorating!
Read more about simple fall, Christmas and seasonal decorating
45 Thrift Store Christmas Decorations
40 DIY Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Garland Ideas
50 Everyday Garage Sale Items to Use as Vintage Patriotic Decor
40 Everyday Garage Sale Items to Use as Vintage Easter Decor
40 Cheap Fall Decorations That You Don’t Have to Store
Real Fall Leaf Garland Craft for Kids
40 DIY Vintage Valentine’s Day Decoration Ideas
