56 Halloween Decoration Ideas Even the Most Novice Crafters Can Master
They're pretty spooky.
Though plenty of holidays are made more festive with decorations, Halloween takes the cake. So if you’re looking to make the spooky season a little bigger, these Halloween decoration ideas will help. The best part? No matter how luxurious and elaborate they may look, they’re all supremely affordable because, drum roll please, you can make them all yourself using materials you probably already have on hand.
Luckily, we break it down step-by-step, so no matter how complicated these DIY decorations are, you can master them. Just make sure you know your way around a glue gun. If you don’t have one, don’t worry because plenty of our favorite Halloween decoration ideas don’t require anything more than a glue stick and some orange and black paper. As for the rest of the materials, you can forage for them. In fact, one of our favorite decorations is made entirely of rocks you can probably find in your backyard.
If you want to go with decor that’s a little bigger, set up a Halloween tablescape so elaborate your guests will have to watch their heads so as not to bump into the “flying” broomstick. There’s also a slightly less terrifying front porch decoration involving a stack of jack-o-lanterns that double as a personalized street lamp. Feeling inspired? Don’t waste any more time. Get to decorating and your house will be the scariest in the entire neighborhood. Don't believe us? See for yourself!
Decorate Realistic Googly Eyes
No matter where you live, you'll be able to scrounge up a few rocks. Next? Paint. Even if you wouldn't consider yourself a talented painter, you can certainly master a few creepy eyes. Arrange them on a free table and cover the whole thing with a layer of wispy fuzz.
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Make a Broomstick Pendant Light
Now, this is a Halloween dinner party for the (spell)books. This dining room is fully decked out from the broomstick and black cat chandelier to the black fringed tablecloth, gourds, and black candlesticks. The romantic pink and red centerpieces make for a nice contrast that softens and elevates the themed decor.
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Bake Creepy Cakes
Let the dessert do the talking. These cakes double as Halloween decor while the skeleton serveware is actually chic enough to live beyond the grave of October 31st. And while that cake decorating looks pretty intense, it's actually as easy as hitting the print button. Get more details from Sugar and Charm.
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Paint Your Pumpkins
Opt for pinks, peaches, and burgundies in your centerpiece rather than the classic warm orange-y fall palette. Then paint your pumpkins a neutral hue! (Faux pumpkins work, too.)
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DIY a Chalkboard Fireplace
Alicia Lund swathed the interior of her decorative marble fireplace in two coats of Benjamin Moore's chalkboard paint. Then, she drew a fun Halloween scene to work as a nice backdrop.
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Make a Marigold Garland
Perfect for displaying at any point during fall, a DIY marigold garland—like this one by blogger Alicia Lund—will add a pop of color to any area in your home. All you need are thread, scissors, needles, and flowers. Bonus: They'll also make your home smell good!
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Stitch an Eerie Pattern
If you know how to cross stitch or want to learn, consider downloading this spooky pumpkin and screaming ghost pattern from MIYAstitch on Etsy. It'll be a fun project to work on leading up to the holiday. Not to mention, you can display it in a variety of ways including in a frame or stretched over canvas. You can even put it on a throw pillow cover, kitchen towel, placemat, quilt, pillowcase, and more.
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Send Test Tube Invitations
Don't limit Halloween party decor to the big event itself. Make sure your invitations are just as spirited and fun. These DIY test tubes from Sugar & Cloth will do the trick.
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Display an On-Theme Bouquet
If you're hosting a scary movie night, bring the on-screen horror to life with some scary decor. An on-theme bouquet surrounded by pumpkins and a skull decanter for the table and some flying paper bats for the walls will do. Floor cushions promise extra seating—power in numbers when it comes to scary movie marathons. Find out more from Sugar and Charm.
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Use a Contemporary Tablecloth
A black-and-white striped tablecloth adds a contemporary playfulness to an outdoor Halloween dinner party. Then, glue little ants to your napkin rings to be freaky but not too freaky.
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Display a Fall Garland
Don't forget to spruce up the bar cart while you're at it! Learn how to make this gorgeous garland (which also works for the fireplace or as a centerpiece) from Sugar and Cloth.
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Create String Art
In a similar vein, try creating string art. This project requires a hanging wood sign, colored string, nails, and a pattern. Luckily, you can buy everything you need in this kit by String Art From Heart on Etsy. Bonus: It includes easy-to-follow instructions, and no experience is required!
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Fashion Fabric Pumpkins
Turn a festive fabric, like an orange bandana or black and white plaid, into a mini pumpkin. You'll need a needle, thread, fiberfill, and sticks for the stems. Get the tutorial from Sadie Seasongoods.
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Hang a Banner
Skip the traditional orange decor in lieu of another hue (pink, for example) and the result can be a lot more cheerful and unique. Round out the fireplace with a DIY pennant spelling out "Happy Halloween"—or another message from beyond the grave. Get the tutorial at Good Housekeeping.
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Create Crystal Ball Candlesticks
With a few taper candle holders painted black and clear glass Christmas bulbs filled with spooky images on transparency film, you can easily create eerie crystal balls. Place them on your mantel or tablescape. Get the tutorial from Flamingo Toes.
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Try Mini Paper Lanterns
With a printable template from Lia Griffith, you can quickly create these mini lanterns made of black metallic paper and white vellum. Stick battery-powered tea lights inside of them for a mysterious glow.
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Decorate Potion Bottles
Give unique bottles or jars an aged effect to make them look like nefarious potion bottles for your next witch party. Get the tutorial from Barberella Home.
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Put Together a Burlap Pumpkin Banner
Bring a little texture into your space with a banner featuring burlap pumpkins hung with clothespins on twine. Get the tutorial from Crafting Cheerfully.
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Let Candles Drip
All you have to do for this one is light some drip candles, let them work their magic, and arrange them around the house. Bonus points if you display them in spooky, black-painted wine bottles for major fright-night thrills.
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Hadley Mendelsohn is the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House. When she's not busy writing about interiors, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, researching ghost stories, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again. Along with interior design, she writes about everything from travel to entertainment, beauty, social issues, relationships, fashion, food, and on very special occasions, witches, ghosts, and other Halloween haunts. Her work has also been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, Man Repeller, Matches Fashion, Byrdie, and more.
Kelly Allen is the current Associate Editor at House Beautiful, where she covers design, pop culture, and travel for digital and the print magazine. She’s been with the team for nearly three years, attending industry events and covering a range of topics. When she’s not watching every new TV show and movie, she’s browsing vintage home stores, admiring hotel interiors, and wandering around New York City. She previously worked for Delish and Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
Jessica Cherner is House Beautiful’s associate shopping editor and knows where to find the best high-low pieces for any room.
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