When Should You Decorate for Halloween? Designers Say There's a Right Answer

Temperatures are dropping, and the leaves are starting to change, which can only mean one thing: scary season is just around the corner! For those who wait all year for Halloween, putting up decorations is a huge part of the holiday. From scary to supernatural and everything in between, decorating your house is a fun way to get in the festive spirit and prepare your home for the gaggles of trick-or-treaters come October 31st.

So, when’s the ideal time to start putting up your Halloween decorations? We asked a few design experts to weigh in on this heavily debated topic, and here’s what they had to say.

How Early Is Too Early for Halloween Decorations?

It seems that every year, people start decorating their homes earlier and earlier for Halloween. However, most people (experts included) believe you should not start decorating for Halloween before September 1st. Some even hold Labor Day as the benchmark for when you should wait. 

“Jumping into festive decor prematurely can overshadow the natural transition from summer to fall," says Elissa Hall, lead interior designer at Awning.com. "I once consulted for a client who began decorating in mid-August; by October, the novelty had worn off, and the decorations felt stale. It's important to let anticipation build gradually to fully appreciate the season's charm.”

According to a survey conducted by YouGov in 2021, homeowners tend to agree.

Out of nearly 6,000 respondents, the majority (43%) believe the earliest acceptable time to display Halloween decorations is between October 1st and October 15th. Only 3% responded that before Labor Day is acceptable, while 13% responded that between Labor Day and September 30th is okay.

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When Is It Too Late to Decorate for Halloween?

On the other hand, getting your Halloween decorations out too late in the season may leave you feeling rushed and like you didn’t have time to enjoy your decor fully.

However, if you’re not one to drag out the Halloween festivities, decorating at the last minute might be the perfect way to honor the holiday without having it take over your home.

“Decorating after October 20th might feel a bit rushed, but it’s never truly too late if it brings joy to your space," Hall says. "Even last-minute touches can make a significant impact." 

Last-minute decorating is perfect for those who only like to decorate for trick-or-treaters or something specific, such as a Halloween party or event. Some homeowners simply prefer to display more autumnal decorations for most of September and October.

When to Decorate for Halloween

Given these considerations, the beginning of October is the perfect time for most homeowners to start getting in the spirit for Halloween. This timing allows you to gradually transition from summer to fall decor, giving you a good base to build on with your Halloween decorations.

Plus, you won’t be left feeling bored of the decor after weeks of looking at it before the big night or as if you were rushed getting it out on time and didn’t get to really appreciate it.

The question of when you should decorate for Halloween is a highly personal one. The answer depends on your lifestyle, preferences, budget, and even how much spare time you have to dedicate to preparing your home for the holidays. 

Those who like to go all out for the ghoulish holiday and create intricate Halloween displays or haunted houses will undoubtedly need to start earlier than those who prefer to keep things minimal.

Ultimately, you should start decorating for Halloween when you feel it’s time—even if that means scarifying your home at the end of August. As long as you don’t have an HOA prohibiting you from decorating “too early,” we say go for it.

Alternatively, if you prefer to wait until the week of Halloween to get the Jack-o-lanterns out, that’s great, too. Some homeowners even leave their Halloween decorations up year-round, transitioning them through various seasons in fun and lighthearted ways (we’re looking at you, 12-foot-tall Home Depot Skelly lovers). 

It’s your home, so do whatever brings you joy and gets you in the fun, festive mood this year.