Halloween is that magical time of year when ordinary homes transform into spooky wonderlands. You don’t need to spend a fortune on store-bought décor, DIY Halloween decorations are budget-friendly, customizable, and most importantly, fun. Below, you’ll discover 30 easy DIY Halloween decorations anyone can make, even if you don’t consider yourself a “crafty” person.
Table of Contents
Why DIY Halloween Decorations Are the Best Choice
Save Money Without Sacrificing Style
Store-bought decorations add up quickly. By using items you already have at home—like jars, cardboard, and old sheets—you can create decorations that look just as good, if not better.
Add Personality and Creativity
When you DIY, every decoration has your unique stamp on it. A painted pumpkin or handmade bat garland carries a personal touch that store-bought items can’t compete with.
Fun Family-Friendly Projects
Crafting isn’t just about the final product—it’s about the experience. Getting kids involved in cutting, painting, or gluing is a great way to bond and make memories together.
Essential Supplies You’ll Need Before Starting
Basic Craft Tools
- Scissors ✂️
- Hot glue gun 🔥
- Paintbrushes 🎨
- Tape and markers
Affordable Halloween Materials
- Mason jars
- Black paper or cardstock
- Old sheets
- String lights
- Pumpkins (real or artificial)
Indoor DIY Halloween Decorations
Spooky Candle Jars
Paint mason jars black or orange, add cut-out faces, and pop in a tea light. Instant spooky glow.
Ghostly Lanterns
Use white balloons covered with cheesecloth to create floating “ghosts” that light up with small LED candles.
Creepy Window Silhouettes
Cut bats, witches, or cats out of black cardboard and tape them to your windows for eerie shadows at night.
Floating Ghosts
Hang white fabric or tissue paper ghosts from the ceiling with invisible string.
DIY Halloween Wreaths
Wrap a foam ring with black ribbon, add faux spiders, and finish with an orange bow.
Outdoor DIY Halloween Decorations
Front Porch Pumpkin Towers
Stack pumpkins of different sizes and paint spooky faces for a festive Halloween porch display.
Glowing Eyes in the Bushes
Cut eye shapes into toilet paper rolls, place glow sticks inside, and tuck them into bushes.
DIY Tombstones
Use old cardboard boxes or foam boards, paint them gray, and carve creepy names like “RIP” or “Here Lies Trouble.”
Spider Web Corners
Stretch cotton batting across porch corners for an easy web effect. Add plastic spiders for realism.
Hanging Bats
Cut bat shapes from black paper and hang them with fishing line so they flutter in the wind.
Lantern Pathway Lights
Line your walkway with mason jars painted with jack-o’-lantern faces. Place tea lights inside to guide trick-or-treaters with a spooky glow.
Pumpkin Fairy Lights
Hang string lights with tiny pumpkin covers across your porch or railing for a festive evening atmosphere.
Skeleton Door Greeter
Place a full-size skeleton on a porch chair, dress it in a witch hat, and let it hold a candy bowl for guests. Instant conversation starter.
Kitchen & Table DIY Halloween Ideas
Bloody Handprint Tablecloth
Dip hands in red washable paint and press onto a white sheet for a chilling dining table cover.
Mason Jar Potion Bottles
Fill jars with colored water, label them “Witch’s Brew” or “Poison,” and place them on shelves.
Pumpkin Centerpieces
Carve small pumpkins and use them as candle or flower holders for a festive table touch.
DIY Candy Bowls
Spray paint old bowls black or orange and add spooky stickers for trick-or-treat candy.
DIY Creepy Candlesticks
Paint candlesticks black and let red wax drip over the edges to create a haunting “bleeding candle” effect. Perfect for dinner tables.
Creative Wall & Ceiling Décor
Bat Swarm Wall Art
Cut out dozens of bats and arrange them in a flying pattern across your walls.
Hanging Witch Hats
Suspend lightweight witch hats from the ceiling using fishing wire for a floating illusion.
Spider Balloons
Attach pipe cleaner “legs” to black balloons for quick and creepy giant spiders.
Pumpkin Garland
String together mini painted pumpkins and drape them across your mantelpiece or entryway for a festive garland.
DIY Haunted Mirror
Create a spooky antique look by fogging glass with spray and painting cracks. Add a ghostly face decal for a chilling effect.
Witch’s Broom Corner
Lean a handmade broomstick in a corner with a witch hat above it. Add cobwebs for a rustic witchy vibe.
Last-Minute DIY Halloween Decorations
Toilet Paper Mummies
Wrap dolls, bottles, or even your front door in toilet paper for an instant mummy effect.
Paper Plate Masks
Cut holes in paper plates, paint spooky designs, and hang them on walls as quick decorations.
Yarn Spider Webs
Wrap yarn around thumbtacks in a web shape—perfect for filling up empty wall corners.
Jar of Spiders
Fill a clear jar with plastic spiders and webs, label it “Specimen,” and display it on shelves.
Pumpkin Balloons
Paint orange balloons with jack-o’-lantern faces and tie them in clusters for an easy party decoration.
DIY Shadow Lighting
Use lamps or lanterns to cast bat and ghost shadows on your walls. This creates instant atmosphere with little effort.
Tips for Making DIY Halloween Décor Last Longer
Storage Hacks
Pack small items in labeled bins. Place fragile DIY pieces in bubble wrap so they can be reused year after year.
Weatherproofing Outdoor Decorations
Spray a coat of clear sealant on cardboard or fabric props to make them last longer outdoors, even in damp conditions.
FAQs
What are the cheapest DIY Halloween decorations to make?
Old sheets turned into ghosts, mason jar lanterns, and cardboard tombstones are among the most budget-friendly.
How far in advance should I start making DIY Halloween décor?
Two to three weeks before Halloween is ideal—you’ll have time to finish projects without rushing.
Can I make Halloween decorations kid-safe?
Yes! Skip candles for LED lights, use washable paint, and avoid small choking hazards.
How do I store DIY Halloween decorations after the holiday?
Use clear plastic bins with labels, and wrap fragile items with tissue paper or bubble wrap.
What’s a good last-minute decoration if I only have 5 minutes?
Hang black paper bats, scatter spider balloons, or wrap your door like a mummy—done in minutes!
DIY Halloween decorations aren’t just about saving money—they’re about creating atmosphere, sparking joy, and sharing creativity. Whether you’re hanging bats in your living room, making glowing eyes for your bushes, or throwing together a last-minute mummy, these easy projects prove that anyone can decorate for Halloween. With 30 ideas in hand, you’re ready to transform your home into a haunted masterpiece.
