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.
Delia Creates
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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.
The Merry Thought
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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.
A Beautiful Mess
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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.
White House Crafts
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Some clever folding techniques yield a creepy, crawly 3D spider-filled garland.
Get the tutorial at White House Crafts.
Almost Makes Perfect
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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.
Happy Go Lucky Blog
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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.
Persia Lou
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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
Lovely Indeed
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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.
Flamingo Toes
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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.
A Beautiful Mess
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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.
Alice G. Patterson for The Sweetest Occasion
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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.
Studio DIY
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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.
Live Laugh Rowe
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Craft your own haunted village by spray painting birdhouses of varying shapes and sizes in dark hues.
Get the tutorial at Live Laugh Rowe.
Design Improvised
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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.
The Good One
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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.
Lemon Thistle
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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
Alice and Lois
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Add a little Halloween fun to your kitchen shelves by turning glass canisters into little candy-filled monsters.
Get the tutorial
Lemon Thistle
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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
Sugar & Cloth
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Line your walkway with graphic outdoor lanterns. A simple coat of Mod Podge ensures they’ll weather the elements.
Get the tutorial
A Pumpkin and a Princess
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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.
Alice and Lois
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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.
Dream a Little Bigger
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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.
Studio DIY
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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.
The Craft Patch Blog
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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.
A Pumpkin and a Princess
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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.
A Beautiful Mess
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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.
Eighteen25
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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.
Design Improvised
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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.
Delineate Your Dwelling
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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.
Alice and Lois
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To make quick work of this graphic banner, use iron-on letters and pre-made tassels.
Get the tutorial at Alice and Lois.