How to Decorate in a Dark Academia Halloween Aesthetic

If you are ready to start decorating for Halloween, you aren’t alone. Even though I’m still in full-on summer dressing mode, I can’t help thinking about the upcoming fall holidays. I had a great time decorating my house in a dark academia aesthetic for Halloween last year and wanted to share it in case you’re looking for ideas for this year’s decorations!

How to Decorate in a Dark Academia Halloween Aesthetic

What is the Dark Academia Halloween Aesthetic?

The dark academia Halloween aesthetic is adding a spooky touch to anything related to higher education, classic literature, and vintage art. Think of all the dark and moody vibes associated with British libraries filled with dusty old books, vintage candelabras, and Edgar Allen Poe. Or the TV series ‘Wednesday’ (still need to watch Season 2!). It’s mysterious, creepy, and nostalgic.

I love decorating with this vibe for Halloween because I’ve found that I already have a lot of decor that fits the vintage aspect of Dark Academia. I just need to “spookify” it!

Collect Old Bottles, Candles, and Books

You might already have these around your house (or at your grandma’s house!). I rounded up old glass vases, empty candle jars, and old books I found lying around to incorporate into my decor. The jars are great for filling with creepy critters or mystery liquid. Lots of candles (faux or real) really set the mood. Old books add that old library feel.

I happened to find an old medical book that had anatomy drawings which I incorporated into my decor! I also used old encyclopedias and hymnals. Make sure to check under the book jacket of hardcover books. I found some that had red covers underneath and used them. I also have several vintage-looking classic books from Barnes & Noble that work well too. P.S. You can usually find vintage-looking “decor” book boxes, and these are great for storing remotes on your coffee table.

You can also buy skeleton candles, bleeding candles, and floating candles to give an even creepier Halloween vibe. I also love the skeleton and snake candle holders!

Lots of Bones, Skeletons, Skulls, and Crows

It wouldn’t be Halloween without some scary skeletons! You can (literally) throw bones around your house to spookify any corner or table. I also love a life-size skeleton hanging around. You can use skulls as decor, treat bowls, or planters! FYI – I would buy the 5ft skeletons ASAP because the cheaper ones usually sell out fast.

Black crows, or ravens, remind me of Edgar Allen Poe’s ‘The Raven’ and add to the dark academia Halloween aesthetic. I like getting them in various sizes and poses to look more realistic.

Creepy Photographs

Switching out photographs is an easy way to create that dark academia Halloween aesthetic. I bought a cheap pack of Halloween prints from Amazon and put them around the house. You don’t really notice them until you get up close, which is a fun surprise. I just picked up this Skeleton Bathroom print (option), which will work great in the bathroom. I recommend adding some faux cobwebs to the frames of photographs and maybe some faux spiders!

Natural Elements

Sticks, moss, cobwebs, and florals are great ways to add an earthy vibe to your decor. If you happen to have these things in your yard, feel free to incorporate them. OR you can easily find FAUX versions of these items (highly suggested if you don’t like bugs…haha).

I bought a big bag of moss from Hobby Lobby because I used it EVERYWHERE. You can never have enough moss, in my opinion. I’ve also bought small bags of different-colored moss for my glass display bottles.

Cabinet of Curiosities

I think “dark apothecary” decor goes well with the dark academia style. If you have a bookshelf or cabinet, creating a Cabinet of Curiosities is fun! Fill the shelves with apothecary bottles and jars, skulls, bugs, eyeballs, teeth, and anything else that looks odd or creepy. I don’t have a bookshelf, so the top of my piano had to do. I think it looks pretty good though!

You can buy pre-made specimen bottles or creepy skulls in glass containers, or you can make them yourself. I bought a glass cloche from the craft section, filled it with moss, and stuck a faux skeleton in it. This is great if you want to use the cloche after Halloween. I also bought a few glass bottles from the craft section and filled them with creepy things.

Color Palette

I think the general default is to want to decorate with black EVERYTHING for Halloween. But incorporating other moody shades into your decor will make it feel more natural and interesting. I picked up this plum garland and love how it looks mixed with black elements, like the crows and black cheesecloth. It adds more depth to my mantle display than a typical black garland.

I also try to steer clear of bright white and go for tan or off-white shades. This makes things feel older and “lived-in”. Many places sell white “mummy” cloth, but I prefer natural-colored cheesecloth. The same goes for my skeletons. I like my faux bones to look dirty and old, like they’ve been underground a long time.

Where to Get the Best Halloween Decor

Last year, I had a lot of luck shopping at craft stores like Michaels and JoAnne Fabrics (RIP) for Halloween decor. If you don’t find exactly what you are looking for in their Halloween section, you can always check the store for supplies to make it yourself! You can also find great deals at Michael’s because things are usually on sale. I’m pretty sure I got all my Halloween decor for at least 40% off.

I also liked shopping at Target for affordable Halloween decor. I got my really affordable posable skeleton, a Halloween floral arrangement, and a creepy candle holder there.

Of course, Amazon is a great place to buy decor items, especially if you are looking to buy in bulk. I also get craft supplies there to create specimen cloches.

These photos are from last year’s Halloween. I’ll be adding more fun things to my Halloween decor this year, so be sure to check back for updates!