The right time to put up your Christmas decorations can often cause a lot of controversy in the UK, as putting up a tree in November is typically shunned by those who say ‘it’s too early’. But this debate is now going further than just traditional Christmas decor, with Halloween being a widely debated topic across social media.

A new study from Wayfair has highlighted how interior decor often divides the nation, as a new debate arises amongst avid decorators.

Although autumn does not officially start until September 22nd in the UK, TikTok’s ‘for you page’ is already flooded with Halloween homeware hauls and people decorating for ‘spooky season’ – with there being 343k videos under the #halloweendecor already.

What is ‘Summerween’?

#Summerween currently has 72.5k videos on TikTok, as users contribute to the growing trend, sharing ideas on how to decorate for the holiday early. But what is summerween and why is it dividing social media?

Summerween is the ‘unofficial’ holiday period where Halloween celebrations begin particularly early. This is common amongst those who simply can’t wait for the summer season to end and autumn to start, typically around the beginning of September.

The debate about whether the early decorating is cute or cringe is rife. TikTok comments such as ‘Why so early ‘ and ‘too early for me ‘ can be seen flooding the comment sections of ‘Summerween’ videos. However, many seem excited by the trend and users exclaimed ‘I’m glad I’m not alone with being ready to decorate’.

Although seemingly trivial, someone’s Halloween decorating choices may greatly impact their dating lives. Research from Wayfair revealed that 1 in 4 Brits would go as far as dumping their partner over their poor interior choices, which indicates the debate goes further than social media comment sections.

When is it ‘too early’ to decorate?

If you’re wondering if it is ‘too early’ to decorate for Halloween, you may be relieved to know Google searches started rising as early as the 7th of July increasing weekly – indicating the anticipation of Halloween decor.

Over the last decade opinions on when to decorate have changed drastically. Ten years ago, in 2014, searches did not begin to increase until 28th September, just one month before the holiday took place.

Generally, the most popular time to decorate for Halloween has been the first two weeks of October, yet data suggests this may change moving forward as people begin their preparations early.

How to achieve ‘cringe-free’ Halloween decor​

Three steps to getting Halloween decor right…

Daniela Venturini, Art Director and Trend Forecaster at Wayfair shares advice to make sure your Halloween decor remains tasteful this year:

1. Consider your timing

“Many of us who love to decorate for holidays can sometimes be slightly eager to get the next set of decorations out. There is truly no right time to decorate for Halloween, however early October is personally my favourite time to put up my decorations.

I would recommend enjoying the late summer months and embracing bright summer decor before reaching for the more cosy and seasonal interior choices.”

2. Transitional decor

“If you’re apprehensive about being ‘too early’ for Halloween, consider some transitional pieces to start tying autumnal themes into your home. This could be anything from warmer shades such as greens and oranges, that help fade out the summer brights, or consider swapping inside florals for autumn leaves.

3. Tacky or tasteful

“Classic Halloween characters such as witches, pumpkins and ghosts will no doubt crowd the supermarket shelves from early September, many in bright and clashing colours which may not necessarily be in your personal taste. For a more classic look, consider opting for fewer, timeless decor pieces like dual-colour pillows that will be appropriate throughout the winter months. Halloween-themed crockery such as pumpkin mugs and plates are a personal favourite at this time of year as they serve both value and purpose in your home whilst leaning into the season.”

Credit: Wayfair