The 13 Best (Kosher) Sukkah Decorations

Sukkot is that magical time of year when Target meets Talmud, when your Pinterest board and your posek need to work in harmony. You’re building a temporary hut, yes – but that hut can (and should) look like a cross between a boho backyard party and a cozy art studio run by kids high on apple cider.

But before you hot-glue pom poms to every surface and string your Sukkah like Times Square, a question:

Can a Sukkah be too fabulous?
Halachically speaking… kind of. But we’ll get to that.

Let’s dive into the world of Sukkah decorations that are easy to find, gorgeous to look at, and (mostly) kosher to hang. With side notes like “What happens if my decorative blanket is secretly a rainproof tarp?” and “Is my foam chain muktzeh?” – this guide’s got it all.

Felt Like a Good Idea

As far as Sukkah decorations go, felt garlands are perfect. They’re soft, cozy, and come in every color from pomegranate red to etrog yellow. Bonus? Acrylic felt holds up surprisingly well outdoors.

Halachic Hack: If you hang it as a decoration and keep it within four tefachim (about 12–16 inches) of the Schach, you’re golden. Go any lower, and you might start creating a non-kosher pseudo-ceiling. Don't do that.

Also: test for colorfastness unless you want your Sukkah to bleed like a crime scene during the first drizzle.

Wood You Bead Mine?

Wooden beaded garlands add that rustic cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic to your Sukkah decorations repertoire. You can buy ‘em ready-made or channel your inner kindergartener and string your own.

Storage Tip: Even if they’re sealed, wood loves to retain moisture. Let them dry fully before storing or you’ll open your Sukkot box next year to the smell of “Regret No. 5.”

Fabric Tapestries: Cozy Wall Vibes

Want to add art to your Sukkah walls without going full Michelangelo? Grab a fabric tapestry. Just maybe don’t use your favorite throw blanket – unless it’s really decorative.

Cautionary Tale: If that blanket’s actually blocking wind or rain, your Sukkah decoration could invalidate the Sukkah if it covers more than 4 tefachim wide under the Schach. Yeah. Your stylish “cozy corner” might be a halachic hazard.

Solution: Spray-on fabric sealers like Scotchgard can help them last longer in the wild outdoors. But seal with style – not function.

Want your Sukkah to look like a Jerusalem art gallery minus the pretension? Enter: the Sukkah tapestry – a game-changing wall upgrade that won’t drip glitter into your soup or curl at the corners like sad construction paper.

From breathtaking views of the Kotel and vibrant Four Species illustrations to picturesque Jerusalem views, a decorative Sukkah tapestry is an easy way to elevate your space. Rendered in bold, colorful strokes, these weather-friendly prints come with pre-fitted grommets and include ties to make hanging a breeze.

Faux Real Florals

Plastic plants are the heroes we didn’t know we needed. These Sukkah decorations are  weatherproof, don’t shed, and you can get them in garland, wreath, ball, or dangling wisteria format.

Arrangement Ideas:

• Hang flower balls from the beams at varying heights.
• Drape vines under the Schach (but not lower than, you guessed it, four tefachim).
• Mount a fall-themed wreath on a wall (just... not one that screams “December 25th”).

Suncatchers & Wind Spinners: Light Shows with a Twist

Suncatchers are like the little stained-glass miracles of Sukkah decorations. Wind spinners add movement and color, especially when that first Chol HaMoed breeze hits.

Just Don’t: Hang anything heavy or pointy where guests will bang their heads. This includes unhinged Lulav sculptures.

Wind Chimes: Nostalgia You Can Hear

If you grew up in a house where wind chimes clinked in the Sukkah, this one’s for you. They’re decorative, melodic, and deeply nostalgic.

Halachic Note: Make sure they don’t hang too low or obstruct your ability to sit under the Schach. If you’re in tight quarters, consider consulting your local rabbi (a.k.a. “The Chime Whisperer”).

String Lights & Lanterns: Because Ambiance

Edison bulbs? Magical. Paper lanterns? Festive. LED fairy lights? A Sukkot staple.

Pro Tip: Use lights as your main illumination, or as accent lighting. Just avoid hanging them too low. And if they’re purely for beauty, they’re halachically fine even under the Schach.

Also, string a set along the path to your Sukkah. Because nothing says “This way to joy” like a twinkling breadcrumb trail.

Outdoor Rugs: Grounded, But Make It Fashion

Rugs turn a Sukkah from camping into glamping. Go for something durable, weatherproof, and comfy underfoot. It’s the detail that says “Yes, this is a temporary hut – but it’s also my holiday living room.”

Metal Wall Art: Maximalist Magic

Love color? Lean into it with bold metal butterflies, floral sculptures, or leafy designs. These are built for outdoors, so you don’t have to panic every time a cloud rolls in.

Bonus: They won’t droop like paper, and they add visual punch from across the lawn.

Direct from the Land: Art from Israel

Why not make your Sukkah a celebration of Eretz Yisrael and Jewish artistry?

• Four Species Banner: Hebrew + English, colorful, and meaningful.
• Ushpizin Poster: Features the seven Sukkot guests – now in bold, artistic glory.
• Hallel Banners: For those who want their walls to sing praises.

Last-Minute Sukkah Decorations? No Problem.

Need Sukkot-themed décor on a tight schedule? Look for quick-ship items like:

• Faux pomegranates (they’re surprisingly convincing).
• Grape clusters (for that ancient vineyard vibe).
• Olive branches.
• Etrog lookalikes (a.k.a. lemons, let’s be honest).

Just double check shipping times. No one wants to hang decorations on Chol HaMoed Day 6.

Tinsel Trouble: Read Before You Decorate

Repurposed Xmas garlands? Technically okay if they don’t have religious symbols and were purchased or gifted, which halachically removes any lingering worries about them having been connected to idolatry.

But once you hang it in your Sukkah, it becomes sacred property – so don’t move it mid-holiday unless you made a tnai (a pre-Sukkot mental note that “I don’t want this to be muktzeh”).

Repeat after me: Make a tnai before you hang your foam chain.

Can I Take My Sukkah Decorations Down Mid-Holiday?

Planning a mid-Sukkot getaway and thinking of packing up early? Hold that ladder.

Once hung, Sukkah decorations become part of the mitzvah. Unless it’s a travel Sukkah you’re relocating, taking them down “because no one’s home anyway” is kind of like leaving a wedding in the middle of Sheva Brachot – it’s a no-go. 

Let the foam chain fly. Let the glitter drip. You’ve got seven days to sparkle.

Final Word: Sukkot Style, With a Side of Sanity

You don’t need a design degree to make your Sukkah beautiful. And you don’t need to invalidate your Sukkah by accidentally building a canopy tent out of mosquito netting.

Your checklist:

• Hang decorations for beauty.
• Keep them within 4 tefachim of the Schach.
• Don’t turn decorations into roofing or shelter.
• Make a tnai if you want flexibility.
• Let your decorations stay up the whole chag – they earned it.

Now go forth and bedazzle that Sukkah. Because this is the only mitzvah where glitter glue, spray sealant, and halachic handbreadths all belong in the same conversation.

Chag Sameach  –  may your Sukkah be stunning, kosher, and just the right amount of extra.