garden
17 Natural Ways to Decorate Your Porch for Halloween
That fall breeze in the air and visual of leaves turning color just gets me in the mood to start thinking about simple, classy and easy Halloween decorations! And quick secret side note… I love putting out Halloween decorations that also work for Thanksgiving so I don’t have to mix it up too much in between the holidays. Let’s look at some fun natural ways to decorate your porch for halloween.
1. Carved or Whole Pumpkins from the Garden
Nothing says Halloween like pumpkins, and if you grew them yourself, even better! Whether you go all out carving spooky faces or stack a few uncut beauties for a classic fall vibe, pumpkins add instant charm to any porch. For a natural twist, try painting them with homemade dyes like beet juice or turmeric for earthy reds and golds. Add a candle or LED light inside for that classic autumn glow.
2. Cornstalk Bundles or Broomcorn Accents
Tall, dried cornstalks or colorful broomcorn make a big visual impact with almost no effort. Tie a few stalks together with twine or burlap and place them on either side of your porch steps or doorway. Not only does it create a harvest-festival feel, but the height draws the eye and frames your space beautifully.
3. Dried Flower and Herb Wreath
Crafting a wreath from dried flowers and herbs brings fragrance and rustic elegance to your door. Lavender, strawflowers, sage, and rosemary all hold their shape and color well—and they smell amazing. Plus, it’s a 100% biodegradable decoration that you can compost after the season ends.
4. Hay Bales and Crates for Layered Displays
Hay bales and old wooden crates are porch-decor MVPs. Use them to create different levels for displaying pumpkins, gourds, dried corn, or candles. They add height, dimension, and that charming barnyard touch that makes your porch look cozy and festive.
5. DIY Beeswax or Soy Candle Lanterns
Make your own lanterns with mason jars or hollowed-out gourds and fill them with beeswax or soy candles. Wrap the jars in twine or tuck in some pressed leaves or dried herbs for decoration. When the sun sets, these glowing lanterns create a warm, magical mood that’s both spooky and sweet.
6. Rustic Scarecrow with Farm Clothing
Bring some playful personality to your porch with a homemade scarecrow. Use old jeans, flannel shirts, and a straw hat, then stuff it full of straw or dried leaves. For a unique touch, top it off with a sunflower crown or a bundle of herbs to give your new porch pal some extra charm.
7. Twig, Branch, and Acorn Garlands
Gather fallen twigs, branches, and acorns to create a rustic garland you can drape around railings, windows, or doors. String them together with natural twine and tuck in a few cinnamon sticks or pinecones for texture and scent. It’s a great way to use what you’ve got on hand while adding autumn magic to your space.
8. Homemade Raffia Spiderwebs
Craft your own spiderwebs using raffia or natural twine and attach them to porch chairs, fences, or railings. They look surprisingly spooky but still organic and handmade. Pair them with a pinecone “spider” or a creepy-crawly made from sticks for an extra fun, natural twist.
9. Colorful Leaf Pathways or Piles
Use freshly fallen or dried leaves to make a festive path up to your porch—or pile them up for a playful, seasonal effect. Get creative by arranging them into pumpkin or ghost shapes, or even stringing them together into a leafy wreath. Bonus: they’re free and compostable!
10. Bundled Herbs and Garlic Braid Door Hangers
Add a witchy, old-world feel by hanging herbal bundles on your door. Use mugwort, rosemary, thyme, and sage—herbs traditionally used for protection and purification. Add a garlic braid if you’re really leaning into the folklore. They smell great, look rustic, and totally fit the Halloween vibe.
11. Dried Apple and Citrus Slice Strings
Slice apples, oranges, and lemons thin, dry them in the oven or dehydrator, and string them up with twine. These little garlands can be hung across porch railings, door frames, or wreaths. They’re festive, colorful, and smell like fall—plus they break down easily when the season’s done.
12. Mini Gourd Towers
Stack mini gourds of different shapes and colors into cheerful towers, either free-standing or nestled into crates or planters. You can paint them with natural pigments or keep them as-is. They’re cute, eye-catching, and super easy to arrange any way you like.
13. Hollowed Pumpkin Planters
Give your porch plants a seasonal upgrade by placing them inside hollowed-out pumpkins. Fill them with mums, herbs, or succulents for a lush, living display. Once the season ends, you can toss the whole thing straight into your compost pile.
14. Vintage Tools or Garden Decor
Dust off those old rakes, watering cans, or pitchforks and use them as spooky props! Lean them against a hay bale, tuck in a few dried flowers or leaves, or top them with a witch’s hat for a fun twist. It’s a great way to bring character and a little farmhouse charm to your Halloween porch.
15. Foraged Nature Bowls or Baskets
Fill bowls or baskets with treasures from nature—think pinecones, moss, rosehips, dried nuts, and seed pods. These make lovely accent pieces for your porch table or steps, and they give your setup a cozy, woodland-inspired feel.
16. DIY Nature Mobiles or Hanging Décor
Create simple mobiles by tying together sticks, feathers, acorns, leaves, and seed pods. Hang them from porch rafters or hooks where they can sway gently in the breeze. These earthy decorations are whimsical, eye-catching, and super fun to make with kids.
17. Firewood or Log Stack Decor
A neat stack of firewood isn’t just practical—it’s also the perfect rustic backdrop for a fall porch. Add some soft string lights, scattered leaves, or a faux crow or two perched on top to transform your log pile into an atmospheric autumn display.
