If you’re like me and absolutely love Halloween, then you’re probably also an antiques aficionado. While not all old pieces give off a spooky season vibe, a LOT of them work in normal AND eerier settings. From pieces you’ve thrifted to treasures you’ve inherited, some of your heirlooms might be perfect for incorporating into your Halloween decorations- whether you realize it or not.
Think about any scary or Halloween-themed movies you’ve watched. Chances are, there’s a spooky Victorian house involved- and it’s likely filled with equally spooky furnishings. Gothic and Victorian elements are staples in decorating styles like Dark Academia, which transition seamlessly into something more Halloween-coded. And you may already have more of these types of treasures than you might think. Here are some great examples of spooky decor ideas that incorporate everyday antiques.
Old Photographs
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Antique malls usually have scads of antique photos available for purchase. Whether black and white or sepia in tone, the unsmiling faces of curious strangers are hauntingly intriguing. Emphasis on the haunting, right? When housed in antique or ornate frames and surrounded by candles or other eerie curiosities, they really do work as Halloween decorations.
Halloween Decorations with Antique Books
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Thrifting for old books has been something I’ve busied myself with for years. Scoring Victorian-era books with their gilded edges and silky binding is especially satisfying. And these books- no matter the title, author, or subject matter- work beautifully in Halloween-inspired decor. In fact, they’re a cornerstone of the aforementioned Dark Academia style of decor. While it’s not specifically meant as a seasonal style, its dark and moody nature works particularly well during Spooky Season.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Antique Medicine Bottles
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Whether you think of Frankenstein or some other mad scientist’s lab, then you know why old medicine bottles are in this list. From the discolored labels that (might be) peeling off to the moody amber hues of the glass, they are ideally spooky for Halloween. Of course, you can always make your own like these, but authentically old bottles are particularly divine at this time of year.
Don’t sleep on antique purple glass, either. Purple has become a color synonymous with Halloween, so adding a few of these into your Halloween decorations makes perfect sense, as well. They definitely have a witchy aura to them- either empty or filled with dried flowers and twigs.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Halloween Decoration Ideas with Antique Dolls
Let’s face it- of all the Halloween decoration ideas in this list, antique dolls might be the most obvious of the bunch. But there’s no denying that some vintage dolls are downright scary, if not haunted altogether.
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Of course, Hollywood has leaned into this connection, too. Plenty of scary movies and even TV shows have incorporated old dolls as something to be feared. From their cracked porcelain skin to lifelike eyes that don’t quite open correctly, they are undeniably spooky just as they are.
Clocks
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From the witching hour to chiming clocks that break an eerie silence, old clocks definitely have a role in Halloween decorations, too. Antique mantel clocks are ideal for your Halloween mantelscapes, but don’t forget about old grandfather clocks, too. Every haunted mansion has a spooky grandfather clock, doesn’t it? And I’ve even seem broken ones filled with fabric ghosts, spider webs, and other Halloween-esque accoutrement.
Halloween Decoration Ideas with Oddities and Curiosities
Now this category of “antiques” is certainly open to interpretation, but it can play a decorating role in October. Oddities can mean any number of things, sometimes natural and sometimes not. For instance, foraged and cleaned animal skulls or turtle shells could be considered oddities. Or this wasp nest in a crusty antique jar might, too.
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Of course, the wasp nest might not be old, per se. But keeping it in a patterned jar with a rusty lid transforms it into witchy Halloween decor instantly.
Oddities can also be considered anything that is, well…odd. For instance, I purchased this peculiar finger mold at an antique store years ago. And the price tag simply said “Oddity”. So, I incorporated it into a Halloween mantelscape one year and it was right at home there.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron pieces are often meant for outdoors use, but there are plenty of iron pieces for indoors, as well. Not to be confused with cast iron (which was made from a mold), wrought iron elements are often bent or twisted by hand. This gives their craftsmanship a less perfected/clean look, which (I think) gives it a slightly eerier appearance. Wrought iron candlesticks are not uncommon, such as these chain-inspired versions that I thrifted several years ago. And they’ve been a staple of my Halloween decor ever since.
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But other furnishings, such as larger candelabras or decorative iron urns could be used at Halloween too. Draped with cobwebs or filled with dripping candles, they absolutely have that dark, Gothic look to them.
And outdoor iron pieces, like these standing candle lanterns, are great for Halloween porch decorations, too.
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Bust Sculptures
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While less spooky than antique dolls, busts are another antique that might work in your Halloween decorating plans. They certainly fit the antique or Victorian aesthetic, but they can also be further decorated for added Halloween appeal.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
When I put together this Dark Academia vignette, I used a thrifted ABCO bust in my styling. And I added a snippet of beadwork as a collar, of sorts, to dress her up. But what about fashioning some sort of Halloween mask? Or a Halloween-inspired fascinator or hat? There are plenty of (non-harmful) ways to “upcycle” busts to amp up their spooky appeal.
Vintage Birdcages
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Initially, you may think of vintage birdcages as something you decorate with during the Spring season. And while that makes perfect sense, there are plenty of Halloween decoration ideas for them, too. Plus, the wonkier the cage (bent metal, broken cage doors), the better- that simply adds to the eeriness of it. Decorative birds- especially ravens- are a Halloween staple, of course. But I think ghosts might work, too- or draping them with fake spider webs would be an excellent use of them, as well.
Halloween Decoration Ideas with Body Parts (Sort of!)
I promise you- when I say “Body Parts”, I don’t mean anything horrific or untoward! Think of how people incorporate plastic skeleton bones into their Halloween decorations. But instead of plastic bones, think of body part-inspired antiques instead. For instance, old shoemaker lasts (the official name for shoes forms) like this are an easy way to imply a (severed) foot.
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The same can be said for antique glove forms! Especially with their outstretched fingers and height from the arms. Speaking of which, I really need to get my hands on some…hands, if you know what I mean.
While we talked about antique dolls already, even doll parts are ideal for Halloween. Think of them as jar, vase, and bowl fillers…
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Vintage Black Cats
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Black cats and Halloween go hand-in-paw, so to speak. And there are plenty of vintage and antique black cats that are particularly “purr-fect” for your Spooky Season decor. Bottles, figurines, even children’s books about black cats all sorts of the witchy vibes you want when it comes to decorating for Halloween.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Candelabras
No scary movie or haunted mansion is complete without candles. More specifically, elaborate candelabras that illuminate a “don’t go in there” room. Thankfully, your local antique store likely has plenty of options that fit this Halloween-inspired aesthetic.
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Dripping candles in white, red, or black are ideal for Halloween. And candelabras come in plenty of metals and finishes, too- brass, wrought iron, silver plate, even pewter. A heavy intricate candelabra might not be your style the other 11 months of the year, but October is truly a different story.
Antiques as Halloween Decor
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
I hope you’ve gotten spookily inspired with these Halloween decoration ideas! And it might be worth a trip to your local antique mall (or a scroll through Etsy) to find a few “new” old pieces to add to your Halloween arsenal.
A special thank you to Sleepy Poet Antique Mall in Charlotte, North Carolina for providing me so much inspiration. Specifically Vender ACC who ALWAYS has amazing wares, including during my favorite time of year- Spooky Season.
Craft on!
S
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Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Image credit: Sadie Seasongoods.
Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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