Decorating for Halloween is one of the most enjoyable parts of the holiday, but if you live in an apartment, you may have to get a little more creative about your décor than plugging in a giant inflatable. By making the most of the space you have, choosing your decorations wisely, and creating an inviting atmosphere for trick-or-treaters, you can experience all the spookiness of a “traditional” Halloween even in an apartment.
Halloween is among the top 3 most popular holidays in the U.S., celebrated by nearly 73% of Americans. In 2023, Americans spent an all-time high of $12.2 billion on Halloween, with decorations accounting for nearly $3.4 billion of that.
If you live in an apartment, your Halloween decorating dreams are probably limited by constraints like space, size, and property restrictions, but with the right approach, you have nothing to fear. By following our decorating tips and tricks, your apartment can become just as menacing as the most haunted mansion.
To start with, be sure to stick to some general decorating guidelines for apartments, including:
- Use removable or temporary hanging or adhesive solutions, and don’t attempt to make permanent alterations to anything in your apartment without prior approval.
- Make sure your decorations don’t block walkways or emergency exit points, and keep them contained to your designated area unless otherwise approved.
- Be respectful of your neighbors. That means keeping noise, light, and décor levels in check. Make sure anything that makes music or sound effects is kept at a reasonable level, that lights are shining into your neighbors’ living rooms or bedrooms, and that you’re not overdoing it with the inflatables.
- Don’t overload electrical outlets. Plugging too many things into your electrical outlets can cause electrical shock, trip a breaker, or even start a fire, so be cognizant of what kinds of things you’re plugging in where.
- Turn off any decorations when you go to bed. Or even better, put any electrical décor on an automatic programmable timer, so you won’t have to try and remember every night.
Hauntingly Good Tips for Decorating Your Apartment for Halloween
A little can go a long way in an apartment, especially when it comes to decorating, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go all out.
Think about things like…
Vertical spaces to decorate, like your walls, windows, doors, and doorways. Static cling or vinyl decals are great for sticking on windows, walls, and mirrors, and just as easy to remove. You can also hang garlands of ghosts or even strings of lights on your walls, your windows, or your doorways. You can go even higher with paper lanterns or Halloween-themed “snowflakes” in the shapes of ghosts, bats, or witches’ hats suspended from the ceiling with fishing line.
Fake spiderwebs…everywhere! Inexpensive, easy to hang, and easy to remove, whimsical, cost-saving decorations like fake spiderwebs, string lights, and even sheets (always a great go-to for imitating a ghost) can transform your apartment into a haunted house. Hang them from the ceilings, on the walls, over doorways, or even drape them over your furniture.
Repurposing what you already have. Give your regular furniture a new temporary job, like using a little-used corner chair as a place to arrange a display of holiday décor or showcase your holiday throw blankets. You can also decorate on top of decorations, hanging a Halloween or fall-themed wreath or string of lights over a painting or mirror.
Make your decorations multifunctional. Swap out your regular shower curtain for a Psycho-inspired one or toss your regular pillows into a Halloween pillowcase or sham. Trade your traditional coffee mug or dish towel for a Halloween one, or drape a runner or tablecloth across your counters or kitchen table. Decorative throw pillows, blankets, or shams are another great way to spruce up your furniture with some spooky spirit.
Lighting. Change out your everyday light bulbs for colored ones to create a creepy ambiance or add in strings of purple or orange LED lights. You can also set a spooky mood with battery-operated flameless or LED candles.
Seasonal décor vs holiday specific. By sticking to more generic fall décor, you can leave your displays and decorations up longer. Artificial flowers and garlands featuring autumn foliage, as well as air freshener plug-ins in your favorite seasonal scents give your apartment a fall feeling that you can enjoy well beyond Halloween.
Perfect little piles. Instead of spreading out decorations throughout your entire apartment, consider keeping things contained to one corner, or consolidate several smaller items together. Think small, strategically placed piles of mini pumpkins or gourds, or a tray of Halloween-themed trinkets, or a bowl of whimsical baubles to display on a shelf or table.
Keeping it simple. Shadow and light projectors are an easy and simple way to showcase your Halloween spirit without committing your entire apartment to the holiday. They’re easy to move, set up, and store, and you can even find some that allow you to switch out scenes for different holidays, giving you more bang for your buck. You also stick to a Halloween-themed doormat or a full-length Halloween door cover.
4 Tips for Making Your Apartment Trick-or-Treat Ready
Apartments also offer the perfect place for trick-or-treating. Despite the cultural popularity of trick-or-treating in a “real” neighborhood, trick-or-treating in an apartment complex boasts a bounty of benefits for both parents and kids, especially in Oklahoma where Halloween weather can be finicky at best and downright extreme at worst (think sleeting rain one year and sweltering heat the next).
When you trick-or-treat in an apartment community, you avoid dark streets that may still be open to car traffic, and staying within a contained area means candy buckets get fuller faster with less trekking for tired little feet.
Here are some tips for making your apartment warm and welcoming for all those tiny trick-or-treaters:
1. Let people know!
Whether you invite your friends or post an announcement on social media, be sure to let people know you’ll have the goods this year. Also be sure to check with your apartment complex’s leasing office; there may be something already planned that you can participate in, such an event in the community spaces, or they may have a message board or sign up sheet you can advertise on that will let any visitors know which apartments to hit. (You should also check with the leasing office for any guidelines or restrictions regarding trick-or-treating in your complex.)
2. Light up your space.
A dark door is the universal symbol for “no candy; don’t ask.” Let trick-or-treaters know you’re ready and waiting with the confectionary goodies by keeping your outdoor lights on. If you’re in an interior apartment, keep your inside lights on so people know you’re home, or even trade out your everyday lights for more festive ones, so potential trick-or-treaters can be sure you’re in the Halloween spirit.
3. Decorate your door.
A wreath, a door cover, or even a few vinyl bats can be a friendly invitation to those little ghouls and goblins. If you aren’t going to keep your door open, you can also attach a sign or doorknob hanger that lets trick-or-treaters know they’ll be rewarded for knocking.
4. Set it out.
If you’re all about the candy, but not so much about the kids, consider placing a bowl or bucket of candy just outside your door, with a note inviting trick-or-treaters to help themselves to a piece or two. Not only does it keep you from being a Halloween Grinch, but it can also help keep your evening uninterrupted by eager candy-seekers.
Create Your Perfectly Haunted Halloween Apartment at Liberty Creek Village
At Liberty Creek Village, our luxury apartments are designed to feel like home at its finest, and part of being home is making it yours during the holidays. From a selection of floor plans that meet any need to regular resident events and upscale community amenities, Liberty Creek Village makes it easy to get the most out of the holiday seasons and all year round. We’ve revolutionized everything about apartment living and our commitment to a refined lifestyle gives you the opportunity to experience the best apartment life has to offer.
Liberty Creek Village is also a preferred housing partner of the Tinker Air Force Base Housing Referral Office, which means we go above and beyond to take care of our service members and their families.
Whether you’re coming to Oklahoma City on assignment or are here to stay, enjoy Halloween (and every holiday) at home with Liberty Creek Village. Contact us today for more information!
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