75 Easy DIY Halloween Decorations – Cheap Halloween Decor Ideas

So, put on a spooky playlist , and prepare for the cutest, sometimes scary—and most Instagram-worthy —Halloween ever!

No matter which way you lean, we’re sure of one thing: You can find something just right in this list of cheap and easy do-it-yourself Halloween decorating ideas that everyone from the DIY novice to the pro crafter will love. (Because you’ve gotta admit, there’s something so satisfying about being able to say “Thanks, I made it!” after a compliment.)

There’s no shortage of ways to get into the holiday spirit. For die-hard fans of the spooky day, there are more complex DIYs—like scary outdoor decor for your front door, creepy crystal balls, and pumpkin topiaries for the porch. But if you could take it or leave it, there are also easy dollar store decorations you can make with household items, too. Consider revamping plain old candles or making a pumpkin succulent planter to place in any room indoors.

Dust off your decorative gourds, because the countdown to Halloween is on! (Some might say it’s always on). There are pumpkins to be carved , candy to be purchased, costumes to be planned , Halloween parties to attend and tons of fun Halloween festivals to add to your calendar.


spiderweb placemats

Delia Creates

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Spiderweb Placemats

Using a printout of a spiderweb as your guide, paint streaks of puff paint, then let it dry for at least 48 hours. The result is a really cool multi-dimensional placemat perfect for any Halloween meal.

Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.


floral pumpkin

The Merry Thought

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Floral Pumpkin

This may just be the most sophisticated piece of Halloween decor we’ve ever seen—and all you need is a pumpkin, some paint, and some faux flowers.

Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.


skull string art

A Beautiful Mess

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Skull String Art

Adding wow-worthy decor to your mantle or shelf is as easy as painting plywood, setting in a handful of nails, then twisting string around said nails.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.


spider garland

White House Crafts

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Spider Garland

Some clever folding techniques yield a creepy, crawly 3D spider-filled garland.

Get the tutorial at White House Crafts.


printable halloween garland

Almost Makes Perfect

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Printable Halloween Garland

Give the kids neutral-colored crayons and some googly eyes, and let them decorate each printed image in the set. Then, give them a little help stringing everything together. You’ll end up with a fun DIY garland that looks much more elevated than your average kid craft.

Get the tutorial at Almost Makes Perfect.


spooky halloween hand soap

Happy Go Lucky Blog

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Spooky Halloween Hand Soap

Give your guests a fright in the less expected place—the bathroom. There’s no molds required for this DIY—just a mason jar, some liquid soap, and eyeball ping-pong balls (yes, that’s a thing!).

Get the tutorial at Happy Go Lucky Blog.


skull vase

Persia Lou

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Skull Vase

Create a scary, yet chic vase by carving a hole in the top of a foam skull, then coating the whole thing in a coat of charcoal paint. Finish the look with some contrasting white stems.

Get the tutorial


paper bats

Lovely Indeed

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Paper Bats

There are plenty of cheap big-impact projects you can make out of paper. The most popular? A cascade of flying bats over the mantle.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.


Light fixture, Lighting, Lamp, Lighting accessory, Candle holder, Iron, Table, Lampshade, Room, Material property,

Flamingo Toes

9

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Creepy Crystal Balls

The future is looking very…spooky! These crystal ball decorations are made using clear Christmas ornaments. Store them carefully and you can use them year after year. (It’s the DIY that keeps on giving!)

Get the tutorial at Flamingo Toes.


halloween skulls

A Beautiful Mess

10

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Halloween Skulls

Grab a cheap plastic skull at Dollar Tree, and turn it into a real work of art. Weather you spray it gold, coat it in glitter, or paint it with an intricate sugar skull design, the choice is yours. The result looks great just about anywhere indoors—your entryway table, bookshelf, or even your nightstand.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.


Branch, Wood, Room, Twig, Drawer, Furniture, Interior design, Cabinetry, Interior design, Chest of drawers,

Alice G. Patterson for The Sweetest Occasion

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Flying Bat Branch Centerpiece

This quick-and-easy craft won’t drive you batty—the whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes.

Get the tutorial at The Sweetest Occasion.


black and white, architecture, illustration, games,

Studio DIY

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Paper Spiderwebs

Looking for a festive DIY idea that won’t break the bank? This adorable paper spiderweb project is for you. All you need is some paper, scissors, glue, and twine to make it happen.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.


Wood, Room, Floor, Interior design, Flooring, Wall, Hardwood, Wood flooring, Laminate flooring, Home,

Live Laugh Rowe

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DIY Halloween Village

Craft your own haunted village by spray painting birdhouses of varying shapes and sizes in dark hues.

Get the tutorial at Live Laugh Rowe.


halloween spider garland

Design Improvised

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Halloween Spider Garland

Want to make something with stuff you already have around the house? This creepy garland requires just two basic craft supplies: Baker’s twine and pipe cleaners.

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.


Squash, Orange, Vegetable, Calabaza, Winter squash, Still life photography, Produce, Pumpkin, Gourd, Natural foods,

The Good One

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Giant Spider Decoration

Spook up your doorstep with these larger-than-life spiders. They’re so easy to make you can even get the kiddos in on the fun. (Most of your time will be spent waiting for the paint to dry.)

Get the tutorial at One Good Thing.


spooky foliage wreath

Lemon Thistle

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Spooky Foliage Wreath

If you want to decorate for the holiday, but really identify as more of a minimalist, try this super simple (and budget-friendly) DIY. Just spray paint fall foliage black, then twist it into a wreath. To up the spook factor, add some faux spiders.

Get the tutorial


monster jars

Alice and Lois

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Monster Jars

Add a little Halloween fun to your kitchen shelves by turning glass canisters into little candy-filled monsters.

Get the tutorial


halloween floral centerpiece

Lemon Thistle

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Halloween Floral Centerpiece

Hosting a haunted dinner party? This show-stopping arrangement, complete with unique flowers and fake bugs, makes the perfect sophisticated, yet subtly spooky centerpiece.

Get the tutorial


waterproof paper lanterns

Sugar & Cloth

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Waterproof Paper Lanterns

Line your walkway with graphic outdoor lanterns. A simple coat of Mod Podge ensures they’ll weather the elements.

Get the tutorial


halloween skull centerpiece

A Pumpkin and a Princess

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Halloween Skull Centerpiece

Just because you’re going for scary doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice aesthetic. This centerpiece, made out of a wreath ring, Spanish moss, skull heads, and taper candles, looks surprisingly elevated.

Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.


diy halloween doormat

Alice and Lois

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DIY Halloween Doormat

This spooky stamped door mat ensures you don’t leave any inch of your outside space untouched by Halloween decor. It couldn’t be easier to pull it off: Just print a stencil, and dab on a coat of black paint.

Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.


embroidery hoop spider webs

Dream a Little Bigger

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Embroidery Hoop Spider Webs

Skip the sticky synthetic spider webs this year in favor of this easy DIY version. Just weave a simple webbed design onto an embroidery hoop and affix a big black spider. Whether you put it on the wall or your door, it’s the perfect spooky addition to any room.

Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.


diy halloween bunting

Studio DIY

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DIY Halloween Bunting

Whether you’re hosting a party or simply want to make your kiddo’s Halloween breakfast a little more festive, this black, white, and orange banner is easy to make with paper, twine, and some adhesive letters.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.


spooky halloween candle holders

The Craft Patch Blog

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Spooky Halloween Candle Holders

You don’t have to step foot in a single store to make cool Halloween decor. Shop your closet for old bottles or bud vases, then spray paint them, and stick tapered candles in the top.

Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch Blog.


glow in the dark halloween clings

A Pumpkin and a Princess

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Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Clings

Impress the under five set with a fun craft that yields impressive decor for their bedroom windows. Simply get your hands on some glow-in-the-dark paint and use the printable stencils as a guide.

Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.


halloween village

A Beautiful Mess

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Halloween Village

There are no rules that say curated mini villages are only for accenting the Christmas tree. For an afternoon of fun, sit down with the kids to paint a variety of wooden haunted houses. When done, display them on the windowsill or entryway table.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.


transfer halloween candles

Eighteen25

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Image Transfer Halloween Candles

Though these pillar candles look sophisticated, it’s a scary simple DIY anyone who owns a printer and a blow dryer can pull off.

Get the tutorial at Eighteen25.


ghost balloons

Design Improvised

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Ghost Balloons

For a ghoulish twist on party decor, use permanent marker to draw ghostly faces on balloons, then attach some crepe paper for maximum effect.

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.


plant lady skeleton

Delineate Your Dwelling

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Plant Lady Skeleton

Give household items a punny Halloween makeover any plant lover will get a kick out of. Simply spray paint a skeleton gold, then nestle them into your favorite plant baby.

Get the tutorial at Delineate Your Dwelling.


boo banner

Alice and Lois

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Boo Banner

To make quick work of this graphic banner, use iron-on letters and pre-made tassels.

Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.