Halloween Begins (and Ends) with Your Front Porch

On top of all the deliciously fun mantle decorating, simple and sophisticated table ideas, and even last minute scrounging, there's one place of the home that cannot be neglected on All Hallow's Eve. That space, actually just one step outside the home, is important to hit up in a decorating frenzy, as you could argue it's essentially the area in which the entire holiday takes place.

Halloween, the one night a year in which you knock on strangers' doors and demand candy (we hope), revolves around a sufficiently inviting front porch that lets little ones know you're ready to receive them. But what is considered "inviting" must be done in the holiday's fashion, of course—in which hanging ghosts, cobwebs crawling with fake spiders, and gorgeous—excuse us, we mean terrifying—lit-up pumpkins dominate the scene. Take a gander at a few of our favorite inspirations for the upcoming holiday, and be prepared to deck out your door with frightening delights:

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simple and sophisticated 

Leave it to Martha Stewart to make a few DIY hanging bats and casually scattered pumpkins look sophisticated. The black brooms are a nice finishing touch.

Image via Martha Stewart. 

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black, white, and orange

On the fancier side, a porch with a mainly black and white color palette accented with orange is quite polished. And we never thought we'd be describing a decorating scheme featuring tiny, errant spiders "polished." 

Image via Thistlewood Farms. 

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small porch decorating

On a small porch, you have the opportunity to pack more of a punch with fewer items. A few whimsically-carved jack o' laterns and an unusually inviting-looking skeleton on the door should do the trick.

Image via oolalalauren. 

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in the doorway

Cobwebs, garlands, and a giant spider certainly make an entrance appealing on Halloween. That, and a few adorable pumpkins and a unique tree decal to greet guests' arrival.

Image via Vineyard Vinyl. 

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pulling out all the stops

For some, Halloween isn't truly Halloween until all the stops have been pulled. From an owl to spiders and cobwebs to pumpkins to an undead butler waiting upon your arrival, we would say this is a good example of going-big-or-going-home. We think the assorted candles alighting the way are a nice touch. 

Image via Kirklands. 

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pumpkin towers

In a sea of randomly assorted pumpkins on porch steps, gorgeous pumpkin towers stand out. A black wreath and wicked set of branches hanging over the doorway tie together the look. 

Image via Good Housekeeping. 

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the staunch minimalist

If you really don't have time this year, or are simply a fan of making an impact through very little, a simple greeting on the door will do. It's pretty effective here, we must say, as well as unusual enough to catch the eye.

Image via Bella Tunno.