What makes a scary movie truly terrifying? It’s often the villain, be it a knife-wielding killer a la Psycho or a supernatural being in The Poltergeist. Sometimes, a spine-tingling soundtrack can add an extra spook factor. But for interior designers, it has to be the signature haunted house. After all, some of them are pretty stylish—and it is terrifying to think some of the most unsettling plots unfold in beautiful places.
Curious to see which eerie residences passed the vibe check, we asked interior designers for their favorite Halloween movie homes. Their responses vary from unexpected pads to historic homes; however, it’s sad to say these properties are a designer’s dream—in a cinematic nightmare, of course!
The Amityville Horror
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If you ask Deanna Duffek, a designer in Laguna Beach who is a self-proclaimed “horror movie junkie,” you can’t go wrong with the classics. Case in point: The iconic Amityville Horror house. “It’s a charming Dutch Colonial—easily recognizable by its gambrel roof and distinctive ‘eye’ windows,” she says. “Although, the iconic ‘eye’ windows were later remodeled to deter curiosity seekers.”
This house represents a blend of true crime, folklore, and pop culture myth that has fascinated (and terrified) people for decades.
Halloween (1978)
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Michael Myers might’ve been wreaking havoc on Haddonfield, Illinois, for decades, but not even he can ruin the allure of the residence in John Carpenter’s Halloween. “The home, which shares both Midwestern Greek revival and salt box characters is quintessentially American,” says Colorado designer Jess Knauf. “It feels a bit like the famous painting, American Gothic.”
Though the property might be shown in a state of disrepair in the 1978 movie, it’s been immaculately restored. “The ornate corbels are a nod to better times and affluence,” Knauf adds. Fun fact: The real property is located in South Pasadena, California—and is now a local historical landmark.
What Lies Beneath
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“I’m the biggest chicken when it comes to horror films,” admits Los Angeles designer Julia Newman. “While I don’t enjoy being scared, I do love a stylish home.”
Topping her list of spooky-yet-stylish spaces is the coastal crib from What Lies Beneath. “The real star for me is the stunning Nantucket-style house on the water,” she says. “With its shingled exterior, old-school Restoration Hardware paint hues, and that perfect clawfoot tub, it’s the kind of place you dream about.”
If you watch closely, you might even spot some of-the-moment trends like scalloped details. Though the property was sadly torn down shortly after the ghost story was filmed, it still conjures lots of decorating inspiration.
Beetlejuice
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The Halloween comedy may not be your typical scary movie, but Sasha Basso of Capiz Studio calls the residence from Beetlejuice “iconic and unforgettable.” “I love every second of it,” the Bay Area designer explains. “From the Gothic Memphis overload in the original, to the more recent dark modern with all that swoon-worthy Apparatus furniture and lighting.” The Beetlejuice house might be fiction, but it teaches moviegoers a valuable lesson. “I also adore how the interior design plays such a key role in the plot,” Basso says. “Huge warning to all the people who love to completely gut classic homes.”
Edward Scissorhands
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In a similar vein, Sara Malek Barney of BANDD/DESIGN is partial to the Bogg family house from Edward Scissorhands. “It’s meant to make you feel unsettled and a bit ghastly, but it’s also got a real warmth and welcoming vibe to it,” the Los Angeles designer explains. “It’s a real masterpiece in balance like that!” The juxtaposition between the pastel, cookie-cutter properties and the gothic crib at the end of the block are emblematic of director Tim Burton’s woeful-meets-whimsical style. Oh, and did we mention Edward’s handiwork is a masterclass in landscape design?
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