15 DIY Halloween Decorations You Can Make Without Breaking the Bank!
October is finally here, and that means – it’s time to transform our homes into a spooky, Instagram-worthy oasis! There’s something magical about the crisp fall air, pumpkin spice everything, and the excitement of Halloween just around the corner.
But – those gorgeous Halloween setups you see all over Pinterest can make your wallet cry. I’ve put together a collection of 15 doable DIY Halloween decorations using mostly stuff you probably already have lying around (or can grab for under $5 at the dollar store).
Whether you’re decorating for trick-or-treaters, hosting a Halloween party, or just want to add some festive fun to your everyday space, these projects are designed to be beginner-friendly, budget-conscious, and – most importantly – actually fun to make. So grab your hot glue gun, put on your favorite spooky playlist, and let’s dive into some seriously satisfying Halloween crafting!
1. Floating Ghost Balloons That Dance in the Breeze
These ethereal beauties are probably the easiest way to add the spook factor to any room or outdoor space. Simply drape white balloons with cheesecloth or lightweight white fabric, securing at the balloon’s knot with a rubber band. Add googly eyes or draw faces with a black Sharpie for personality – I love giving each one a slightly different expression. Hang them at varying heights from your ceiling, porch overhang, or tree branches using fishing line for that authentic “floating” effect. The best part? They’ll gently sway with any breeze, creating an unexpectedly mesmerizing (and slightly eerie) movement that guests can’t help but stare at.
2. Toilet Paper Roll Bat Colony for Your Living Room
This is one of those hacks that looks way harder than it is. Cut toilet paper rolls in half lengthwise, then fold them to create bat wing shapes – the natural curve of the cardboard does most of the work for you. Paint them matte black (dollar store acrylic paint works perfectly), add tiny googly eyes, and attach them to your wall in a swooping pattern that flows up your staircase or across your living room. The 3D effect creates amazing shadows that make your wall look like it’s literally alive with bats.
3. Jar Potion Bottles with Mysterious Glowing Effects
Transform ordinary jars into enchanting witch’s brew with this fun project. Fill jars with colored water (food coloring works great), add glitter for a magical shimmer, and create weathered labels using tea-stained paper and spooky fonts. Drop in battery-operated LED tea lights or glow sticks to make them eerily illuminate from within – the glow effect. Group them on your mantel, kitchen counter, or front porch steps with fake cobwebs draped around for maximum witchy vibes. Pro tip: add a few drops of dish soap and shake gently right before guests arrive for mysterious bubbling action that’ll have everyone asking for your secret.
4. Thrifted Vintage Moody Mirror
Here’s an idea that delivers a dramatic effect with little effort. Pick up any wall mirror from your local thrift store, add some black paint (I like a matte finish for this), then line the frame of the painted mirror with wide black lace. For an enhanced look, style with black papery cutouts of ghosts or spiders, add spiderwebs and candles. Great for your mantel, entryway, or porch. A collection of smaller mirrors would also work.
5. Glowing Eyes in the Bushes That Stop Traffic
Create the illusion of mysterious creatures lurking in your landscaping with this outdoor project that costs less than a fancy coffee but delivers maximum curb appeal impact. Cut eye shapes from glow-in-the-dark paper or use reflective tape, then attach them to cardboard rolls painted black and stake them in the bushes or in dark corners of your yard. At night, those glowing eyes peer out from the shadows. Vary the heights and positions to suggest different-sized creatures, and watch as neighbors slow down their evening walks to figure out what’s “watching” them from your yard.
6. Vintage Black Apothecary Bottles with Labels
With this elegant-meets-eerie centerpiece idea that looks like it cost a fortune but uses mostly dollar store finds. Save glass bottles with a variety of shapes and sizes. Wine bottles, olive oil bottles, bud vases, even bottle water bottles. Paint them all with matte black paint. Add feathered labels using paper stained with tea. Add spooky fonts that say “magic potion”. The key is layering different heights and bottle shapes to create visual interest – think of it as a spooky still life that Pottery Barn would totally feature (if they had a Halloween line). Add handwritten labels with Latin-sounding names like “Arachnid Essence” or “Essence of Nightshade” for that authentic vintage laboratory vibe that’s been trending all over Instagram lately.
7. Newspaper Mummy Luminary Bags for Pathway Lighting
Transform your walkway into an ancient Egyptian tomb entrance with these charming mummy luminaries that combine function with serious Halloween style. Wrap paper lunch bags with strips of newspaper or medical gauze, leaving gaps for light to peek through, then add googly eyes positioned at different angles for individual personality. Place battery-operated tea lights inside and line them along your sidewalk or porch steps for a warm, welcoming glow that’s still appropriately spooky. The newspaper gives them a vintage, archaeological feel (especially if you use pages with interesting headlines!), and the soft flickering light creates the most magical ambiance for trick-or-treaters approaching your door.
8. Hanging Cheesecloth Ghosts with Flowing Movement
These dramatic ceiling installations bring serious haunted mansion vibes to any room and move beautifully with air circulation from heating vents or fans. Drape cheesecloth over wire forms (or even just crumpled newspaper for budget-friendly structure), securing at the “neck” with invisible thread. The loose weave of cheesecloth creates amazing texture and allows air to flow through, making them dance and sway naturally. Hang them at varying heights in corners, doorways, or over dining tables for maximum impact – home decor influencer Shea McGee would definitely appreciate how they add vertical interest to a space! The translucent fabric catches light beautifully during the day and creates mysterious shadows at night.
9. Pumpkin Planter for Your Front Porch
Turn ordinary craft pumpkins into a charming container garden that celebrates both Halloween and fall gardening trends. Hollow out foam or real pumpkins and plant them with trailing plants like creeping jenny or small mums in autumnal colors. Create tombstone markers using foam board or cardboard, writing silly epitaphs like “Here Lies Summer 2025” or “RIP Summer.” Arrange them on your porch steps with some scattered autumn leaves. This trend has been huge on gardening TikTok, showing how Halloween decor can still celebrate the beauty of the season!
10. Broom Parking” Entry Vignette
Cut a simple sign from cardboard or scrap wood and hand-letter “Broom Parking—Violators Will Be Toad.” Dry-brush black and white acrylic paint to look weathered. Stand a few dollar-store brooms (or DIY with sticks and twine) in a tall umbrella stand, bucket, or basket by the door. Add a few paper bats on the wall behind to frame the scene. It’s a charming welcome moment that sets the tone before guests even step inside.
11. Spooky Spice Jar Labels for Kitchen Witchery
Transform your ordinary spice rack into a witch’s pantry with custom labels that turn everyday ingredients into magical potions – it’s functional Halloween decorating at its finest! Create aged-looking labels using tea or coffee stains on regular paper, then rename your spices with spooky alternatives like “Bat Wings” for black pepper, “Troll Toes” for whole cloves, or “Vampire Tears” for vanilla extract. The beauty of this project is that it works with spices you already own, costs almost nothing to execute, and creates amazing conversation starters for guests. Food Network personalities would totally approve of this kind of seasonal kitchen styling that’s both practical and festive. Plus, it makes cooking dinner feel like you’re brewing magical potions!
12. DIY Spellbook Stack Centerpiece
Use old hardcovers, cereal boxes wrapped in kraft paper, or dollar-store notebooks. Write raised “titles” (Necromancy 101, Charms & Potions) with hot glue, let dry, then paint the whole cover matte black. Dry-brush a touch of metallic gold or gray over the glue letters and corners to make them look embossed and worn. Stack 3–5 books with a plastic raven or faux moss on top and tuck in a couple of LED candles. It reads high-end apothecary for pocket change.
13. Floating Witch Hat Lanterns Over the Table
Pick up lightweight felt or paper witch hats (dollar store party aisle) and thread clear fishing line through the tips to hang them at staggered heights. Drop a battery tea light or small puck light inside each hat (use a paper clip or a bit of tape to hold it near the brim). The gentle glow looks like they’re levitating—perfect above a buffet or dining table. If you want extra charm, add thin ribbon “hat bands” in orange or deep purple. It’s a big-impact scene for just a handful of inexpensive pieces.
14. Glowing Jack-o’-Lantern Pathway Using Milk Jugs
Create a warm, welcoming (yet festive) entrance using clean milk jugs transformed into oversized jack-o’-lanterns that glow beautifully after dark. Cut classic pumpkin faces into the jugs using a craft knife, paint them orange with acrylic paint, and add battery-operated string lights inside for a soft, ambient glow. Line them along your driveway or walkway, weighing them down with sand or small rocks so they don’t blow away. The translucent plastic diffuses the light perfectly, creating a magical lantern effect that’s much more durable than real pumpkins and can be stored and reused year after year. Home improvement shows like “Fixer Upper” always emphasize the importance of welcoming exterior lighting, and this definitely delivers on that front with seasonal flair!
15. Window Silhouettes That Transform Your Home’s Exterior
Create the illusion that your house is full of mysterious activity with these simple but incredibly effective window displays. Cut spooky shapes from black paper or cardboard – think witches, cats, bats, or even crime scene body outlines – and tape them to your windows from the inside. When lights are on inside, the silhouettes become dramatically visible from the street, making it look like your home is hosting the most interesting Halloween party ever. This is such a classic trick that even Martha Stewart has featured variations of it, but it never gets old because the impact is so immediate and striking. Position them in bedrooms, living rooms, and even bathrooms for maximum storytelling effect!
There you have it – 15 Halloween decorating projects that prove you don’t need a Pinterest-perfect budget to create a home that’s absolutely magical this October. The best part about all these ideas is that they’re totally customizable to your space, style, and skill level. Maybe you tackle just one or two this weekend, or perhaps you’re feeling ambitious and want to transform your entire home into a Halloween wonderland – either way is perfect!
Happy decorating, and may your October be filled with just the right amount of moodiness & spookiness! 🎃✨
