There are two types of people in this world — people who like Halloween, and people who LIVE for Halloween. And if you're among the latter group, it's not uncommon to find your predilection for spooky and disconcerting decor starting to (how do we put this?) infect your home during the rest of the year. Sure, it may begin innocently enough, with a skull-themed art print or a small litter of black cat curios, but pretty soon, you're going full-on gothic glam, 365 days a year.
Well, we say embrace it. Here we've rounded up our top high-design picks for those who skew toward the spookier side of the spectrum. These styles are just what the doctor (we're talking about Frankenstein, of course) ordered to take your Halloween cocktail party to the next level ... and they're elevated and elegant enough to leave out year-round if that's your thing.
Video of the Day
Video of the Day
Embroidered cocktail napkins are one of those little touches that make us truly feel like we're adulting in the best way. This spooky eye set from Jonathan Adler strikes the right note in between mystical and mysterious.
These handmade 100% natural beeswax candles drip dramatically as they burn down, achieving the ultimate goth-chic vibe.
This curious candelabra + those drippy black wax tapers = instant macabre mood.
We're all familiar with the feeling of being spooked by what you see in the mirror (hello, dark circles that no amount of caffeine can erase ...), but during the Halloween season, this mirror printed with brightly colored snakes provides a welcome fright.
Looking like something you might find in a mad scientist's lab, Tom Dixon's dark and stormy-style decanter adds a bit of Dr. Frankenstein flavor to your bar cart.
Like a chicer relative of Cousin It, this tiered tray is a perfectly peculiar perch for ladyfingers (obviously), or even bunches of blood-red grapes.
You? In the study? With the letter opener?
A snake, tattoo-inspired motif lends a louche look to these whiskey glasses.
There's something vaguely Hitchcockian about these durable enameled plates, which show off macabre graphics like disembodied fingers, toads, and eyes trapped in eyelash-curler vices.
We've all been wowed by a dry-ice laced drink, but when you're hosting at home, it's so much easier to impart a gloomy gothic aura to your cocktails by choosing smoke-tinted glassware. No protective eyewear required.
An equally moody pick for serving cocktails, made even better by the intricate cut glass that lends a haunted mansion vibe.
These remind us of a creaky banister in a luxe-but-haunted Victorian. So, obviously, we're in.
Understated but still edgy, these Totem candles come in a variety of shapes and sizes perfect for creating clusters around your buffet or bar (and also are available in orange, in case you want to go all out on the Halloween factor).
These unique cocktail napkins also make for a nice hostess gift for your similarly spooky friend.
It's okay — you're legally allowed to freak out for up to five full minutes upon first encountering these incredible handcrafted candles. Drawing from a local tradition, these flower-laden tapers are made by artisans in Oaxaca. And yes, they are too pretty to burn.
This fully-opposable hand-painted hand might not change your fortune, but it'll hold your rings and bracelets with ease (and can even help point guests to the snack bar).
These ceramic plates are colorful and playful, but with a definite dark side. Their opulent colors add just the luxe touch we're looking for, whether you use them for desserts or salads (maybe studded with some blood-red pomegranate seeds?).
A seductive and slinky way to constrict your favorite napkins.
Off-kilter in the best way.
Picture this wall-mounted cast iron hand greeting guests by the front door — holding your purse, car keys, or a few strands of pearls next to your dressing table.
Literally dripping with drama.
This ghostly veil-draped bust makes a statement as-is ... or, you can burn it down a bit for an even more macabre look.