7 Tacky Fall Decor Items I Couldn’t Ignore On My Neighborhood Walk

Fall brings colorful leaves, pumpkin spice everything, and, unfortunately, some questionable decorating choices in my neighborhood.

As a designer with an eye for aesthetics, my recent evening stroll turned into an unexpected tour of autumn decor gone wrong. I couldn’t help but notice these seven tacky seasonal displays that made me simultaneously cringe and chuckle.

This list is all in good fun. Decor is personal, and if something makes you happy, that’s always a win in our book.

1. Inflatable Pumpkins And Skeletons

How did these monstrosities become the neighborhood staple? Giant nylon pumpkins wobble sadly in the breeze, their forced smiles screaming ‘I was purchased at a big box store clearance sale!’

Inflatable decorations look charming for approximately three days before they start sagging pathetically. The skeleton on Maple Street has been deflated every morning this week, resembling nothing more than a puddle of Halloween disappointment.

2. Overly Glittery Faux Leaves

Where in nature do leaves shimmer like a disco ball? The Thompson house apparently believes autumn foliage needs improvement with gold glitter coating every surface of their porch.

Glitter leaves create an environmental disaster zone that extends ten feet beyond their property line. The sparkly trail follows you home like a clingy ex. Nature created perfect fall colors without needing craft store ‘enhancements’ that will eventually wash into storm drains.

3. Worn-Out Scarecrows

Though meant to be charming, these faded guardians have seen better decades. The Johnson family’s scarecrow has such chipped paint that its face resembles a horror movie villain more than a friendly farm figure.

Weather-beaten plastic creates an unintentional post-apocalyptic vibe. Most concerning are the eyes that somehow follow you as you walk past.

If you’re going to display a scarecrow, perhaps consider replacing it before it starts terrifying the neighborhood children rather than the crows.

4. Outdated “Welcome Fall” Signs

This trend refuses to die despite our collective pleas. Every third house displays wooden planks featuring either cursive fonts that no human can actually read or overused farmhouse typography.

Welcome Fall signs often include bizarre combinations of pumpkins, chevron patterns, and polka dots. The Wilsons took it further by adding battery-operated twinkle lights that blink erratically.

Nothing says ‘sophisticated autumn’ like a sign that could have been designed by a kindergartner discovering WordArt for the first time.

5. Gaudy Harvest Wreaths

Hanging boldly on a crimson door, this oversized wreath is not for the faint-hearted. Made from plastic fruits and vegetables, its exaggerated size and vivid colors make it impossible to ignore. Gold ribbons weave through the artificial bounty, adding an extra layer of opulence.

Standing before it, one might wonder if it seeks to celebrate the harvest season or simply challenge the limits of decor audacity. This wreath serves as a testament to those who embrace maximalism in all its glory.

For the bold decorator, this piece is less about subtlety and more about making a grand statement, ensuring every visitor is greeted with a burst of artificial autumn.

6. Fake Hay Bales On Tiny Porches

If you’ve never farmed a day in your life, why pretend during autumn? The Anderson’s 3-foot-wide porch now hosts three synthetic hay bales that block their front door entirely.

Plastic hay creates an obstacle course for delivery people and visitors alike. These faux bales collect real leaves, spider webs, and moisture, becoming sad, moldy lumps by November.

The urban farmhouse aesthetic reaches its illogical conclusion when city dwellers with zero yard space force agricultural props into spaces designed for actual human passage.

7. Flashy LED Jack-o’-Lanterns

Bright enough to mimic a small disco, these LED Jack-o’-Lanterns come in every neon color imaginable. As dusk sets in, their glow becomes a beacon in the neighborhood, flashing in patterns that seem to compete with each other. Each pumpkin appears louder than the next, creating an overwhelming visual spectacle.

While traditional pumpkins lend a warm ambiance, these creations scream for attention. It’s as if Halloween merged with a nightclub, leaving passersby to pause and ponder this bold choice. Despite their eccentricity, these pumpkins ensure that this house won’t be missed.

For those who appreciate a touch of irony or simply enjoy standing out, these pumpkins deliver both brightness and flair, albeit in a rather unconventional way.