Halloween decor enthusiast Marsh Moon from Halloween Home Maker tells Bored Panda that her elaborate decorating for the occasion comes from her brain, which likes to do everything over the top.

“So when Halloween became my special interest, I was all in. It's always on my mind, and I really love creating magical, whimsical spaces to take a break from life's troubles.”

What Halloween decor collector Nicole from Halloween Finds enjoys the most about spooky season decor is the classic icons such as ghosts, Jack-o-lanterns, and witches that bring back many fond memories from her childhood. 

“They remind me of the fun and spooky times I had as a child. Although decorations may change over time, these icons remain timeless.”

We also asked these spooky season enthusiasts if they could share their decoration process and how long it takes them to display everything they’ve collected through the years. 

“I like to set a theme and build around that while keeping in mind what I already have. Once I've got an idea of how I want it to look, I start taking out my decorations. I always do Halloween trees to maximize vertical space with my pumpkin pail collection. Layering and small details are very important to my end results, so I add leaf garlands and then fill in the empty spaces with whatever matches my theme for the year,” Marsh tells us. 

Marsh tries her best to mix it up each Halloween, some years adding faux ferns, others something silver and sparkly, and tying it all together with coordinating ribbon laced throughout. “Lighting also happens at this phase. String lights, icicle lights, blow molds, battery tealights, and projection lights all come together to create an atmospheric glow that makes it an experience rather than just decorations. I usually spend collectively about a month puttering around with all the details, but for me, it's the process that's the celebration as much as the final result,” she fondly shares. 

For Nicole, decorating for the spooky season is always an ongoing process. “I add pieces to my collection throughout the year from major retailers, small businesses, and antique shops. I decorate my front yard with lights and, of course, the iconic 12-foot skeleton from Home Depot. 

Decorating inside takes a couple of days to contemplate which decorations are going to be displayed and where to put them. I love to put all of my light-up blow molds around my TV in the living room, so I can experience the cozy orange glow from them while watching spooky programs. I have a cabinet of ghosts in my dining room, which stays up year-round. The cabinet consists of ceramic ghosts and ghost mugs that I've collected over the years.”

Having many years of Halloween decorating up her belt, Marsh believes that the secret to good spooky adornments is listening to your heart. “Following trends will just waste money and space and add to the landfill,” she says. “Focus on what you know you'll love long-term. Not everything needs to match to go together. The memories that carry through each year with each decor piece create something greater than a copy/paste collection from a store.”

According to her, what really brings the magic is lighting that adds a glow. “I like to add purple lights with orange ones to add interest. Green is also a great option. Black lights are really fun if you've got a Lisa Frank day-glo vibe to enhance the neon colors and any UV-reactive decor.”

Meanwhile, Nicole thinks that the secret to good Halloween decor is all in the display. “Creating scenes or a scape of items in an area keeps it interesting. I display my decor similar to how I would merchandise in retail, with larger items in the middle and smaller items on the sides to create an interesting balance and keep your eye moving when looking at all the pieces. I tend to like clusters of decor around the house—items around the TV and TV stand, items on the fireplace mantle, items in the middle of the dining table, items at the front entry, etc.”

For those who haven’t yet adorned their home with pumpkins and skeletons, Marsh recommends adding what they already have, especially if they’re on a budget. “Add googly eyes, paper witch hats, and bats, and use window paint markers to draw little ghosts onto the glass of framed photos and art for quick and easy transformations that are easy to undo after Halloween. Focus on lights to create the atmosphere. Everything is better with a cozy glow!” she says.

Nicole reassures those who have yet to decorate, saying that it’s never too late to get into the spirit. “Even if you have one item, place that piece in an area of the home you visit often and it will contribute to an amazing and spooky fall season.”

Lastly, Marsh urges Halloween enthusiasts to have fun with it. After all, that’s what it’s all about. “Even if you aspire to have an over-the-top Halloween display or decor and are just starting out, enjoy the time getting there because the best collections are built over time. You'll learn a lot along the way about what you like best and what you'd rather leave behind. Comparison is the thief of joy, so just do you.”