Back to NFM Home StoriesCosmic Creepy: Bring Home a Stardust Halloween
Prepared by Julie Garrison | Published on October 4, 2024
Lights in the sky, strange shadows, and electricity in the air – no it’s not an alien invasion, it’s Halloween of course! The perfect blend of cozy and creepy, Halloween is full of off-color fun, and this year is no exception. If you look just past the spooky skeletons, you’ll discover another kind of trending Halloween decor: Stardust! Inspired by everything otherworldly, this cosmic Halloween style amps up the glitter and neon glow to leave a lasting impact. Don’t stop your investigations just yet, let’s liftoff and explore what’s trending indoors and out.
Halloween trends don't just pop into existence so where does this extraterrestrial aesthetic originate? A truly unique blend of americana in fact. Ever since vibrant hues of neon invaded every corner of American life in the late 1900s, we’ve been inundated every October with bright oranges, greens, and purples. While trending Halloween decor has stuck with the big three for quite a while, the main thrust of Stardust is to include other neon colors and sprinkle it all with the sparkle of stars. These high-visibility hues feel alien because they simply don’t appear often in our natural world. Where such incredible colors do occur however, is out among the stars.
What They Don’t Want You to Know
Why aliens? Because they are, without a doubt, spooky! A survey of extraterrestrials in pop culture includes everything from blockbuster comedies to classic scary flicks (get a great view for your own movie night here). Better yet, embracing a cosmic Halloween opens the door to get weird with your décor. Reflective fabrics, strange finishes, and pops of color all slot effortlessly into whatever outlandish designs you have in mind. If you’re already excited by all the possibilities, let’s look at outdoor Halloween decorations and more.
The first thing to consider for your own cosmically creepy Halloween is getting outdoors in order. Start with cozy conversation sets or a full sectional if you’re flush with space. Looks are up to taste, but holidays are best spent with company. Plenty of seating means more room for friends, even if they aren’t from the stars! Swing for something with strong geometric lines or odd patterns to sell the alien tech feel if you’re so inclined. Once you’ve got a hangout handled, build up the Stardust aesthetics and let the trick-or-treaters roll in.
Under a Starry Sky
Moving on from the fundamentals is easy. Set the ambiance with outdoor Halloween lights. While a fire table might deliver on the look of a UFO crash site, opting instead for smart lighting gives you the option for some truly striking colors. Just make sure you pick something designed for outdoors. The best part of smart lighting is you can change the mood for any moment. Instead of leaving Christmas lights out all year, your style is always in season. If you skipped the fire table but are worried about keeping warm, patio heaters look straight out of science fiction and keep you cozy on chilly nights.
What’s left but to treat one more of your senses, sound! From artists with an affinity for stardust to eerie theremin tunes, a good outdoor sound system takes your interstellar journey to the next level. You can even make your system practically invisible with rock speakers that blend into the landscaping. If you’re not interested in a complicated install, opt instead for a party speaker, as they provide plenty of sound with extra lights to build on your look. For the finishing touch, snag an electric mower or trimmer to cut some crop circles into the yard. Why electric? To keep our planet clean and inviting for potential guests, of course.
Inside Style Secrets
What if you're interested in 2024 Halloween Décor Trends for indoors? Instead of finger wagging at you for hiding from the starry sky, may we recommend some great home aesthetics that fit right in. A strong style works great all year round and only takes a few swaps to transform completely. Two favorites for indoor Halloween decor are retro modern and dark academia, although for two completely different reasons. Keep a tab open on our 37B collection and feel free to shop along if you read about a look you like.
Cutting-edge style from the atomic age makes a great retro modern take, especially if you’re running with extraterrestrial inspiration. Atomic age aesthetics naturally have roots in the 50s and 60s which, coincidentally, ran alongside alien mania sweeping the nation. Better yet, retro modern finds are easy to come by since they plug modern comforts into classic silhouettes. Forget giving up reclining for that authentic silhouette, have both!
Dark Academia is another classic look, great for every brand of spooky season. What makes Dark Academia a true treat for trending Halloween decor is its roots in the manors and universities that inspired classic works of outlandish frights! We don’t just mean vampires and Frankenstein either. Icons of cosmic horror adapted the moody, manicured, and elegant looks of higher education to show scares from outside our world and even imagination. Not only does it make a wonderful complement to your celebration, but it’s truly a standout look just as adaptable as any other.
How do you really sell the look though? Lighting is just as important indoors as out. Black lights, smart lights, and neon imitations all contribute to an ethereal aura. As for accents, iridescent materials, abstract shapes, and shimmering glitter finish the job of putting together a cosmic Halloween.