Halloween can go one of two ways: cute or creepy. We choose the latter! After all, what’s the fun of throwing a Halloween party if you don’t get to embrace your dark side? However, it’s silly to spend a lot of money when there are tons of great DIY Halloween decor ideas. We’ve gathered some of the best ones to help you throw the spookiest party on the block!
Upcycle things around the house
Using recycled or discarded materials is perfect for the creepy look since they’re usually worn down or aged anyway. Before you head to the store, take a peek around your house to see what you can transform into DIY Halloween decor.
Pallet Picket Fence
We all know someone with an old pallet they planned to upcycle but never did. Take it off their hands (or out of your garage) and give it new life! Create an ominous feel outside your house with an awesome pallet fence. Wrap some fake spider webs or Spanish moss around the posts for that true haunted house feel.
Old Apothecary Bottles
Start saving wine bottles, olive oil bottles, or even beer bottles for your DIY Halloween decorations! Add some corks and creepy labels to instantly turn those old bottles into a sinister apothecary collection. The key is to collect a variety of colors and shapes to create dimension in your decor.
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Creepy Spellbook Covers
If you’re throwing a Harry Potter or Hocus Pocus party, having some spellbooks on hand is a must! We all have books lying around the house, so this craft makes a quick and easy piece of Halloween decor. Pair them with the apothecary bottles above for a true witch’s or wizard’s lair.
Create craft store decor
After you’ve scoured your house for things you can upcycle, it’s time to head to the craft store! These easy DIY Halloween crafts require just a few supplies, such as styrofoam, balloons, and cheesecloth.
Styrofoam Tombstones
Turn your yard into a cemetery to scare the local trick-or-treaters! These awesome tombstones make a fun Halloween decoration that lets you be creative with silly names for the deceased. You’ll need a few tools and supplies for this project, but it’s a killer craft.
Creepy Cheesecloth
Cheesecloth has so many uses for DIY Halloween decor! They are a super simple yet effective way to make your dwelling look decrepit. Hang cheesecloth wherever you want it, like doorways or above food tables, and then slice and rip away! Add fake plastic spiders for an extra spooky touch.
Make your party even more unsettling with floating spirits made from cheesecloth and styrofoam heads. Hang them near your front door with some string lights to really creep out the neighbors.
Eyeball Flowers
Give your guests that “someone is watching me” feeling with some unsettling eyeball flowers. This simple craft only takes a few minutes! Just pick up some artificial flowers and doll’s eyes from any craft store.
Be sure to choose dark colors for your flowers, like maroon or purple, or muted shades of yellow or green. Next, hot glue an eyeball into the middle of the flower. Place bunches of finished flowers into old vases to complete the project.
🎲 Once you set the scene, it’s time to play! Check out our Halloween party games for adults to get ideas for entertainment and activities you can try with your guests.
Decorate with a dollar
There’s no need to spend tons of money on your Halloween decorations! You can find everything from candle holders to witch hats for $1 at your local dollar store. Think about how you can use generic items and give them a spooky twist without breaking the bank. We have some easy ways to get started!
Frightening Family Portraits
Nothing says creepy like antique pictures. Grab some dollar-store picture frames (the more detail, the better to keep that antique look) and a can of black or metallic spray paint. Paint your frames and let them dry.
Then, find some ghoulish photos online and print them out. Frame them and set up your “ancestors” on the fireplace mantle or buffet table.
Mummy Hand
For a subtle yet unsettling piece of decor, we like this “mummy hand” craft! Starting with a few things from the dollar tree and some paper towels, you can create a scary Halloween conversation piece for your party. And if you can’t find a fake severed hand at the store, you could always stuff a latex glove instead!
Skull Wreath
Halloween wreaths are great pieces of DIY Halloween decor that work for all themes. This skull wreath can be both creepy and glam thanks to its sleek black look and glitter. You won’t even need a wreath form, just some sturdy wire and coordinating ribbon.
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Make it scary with spray paint
One of the best hacks for turning the normal into the paranormal is to use spray paint! There are tons of new effects that come in a can, including metallics, glitter, frosting, and even stone texture. So hit the thrift store and find things with a great shape that can be transformed into something spooky with these DIY Halloween decor ideas.
Creepy Candlesticks
A bit of black spray paint turns normal candlesticks (found at garage sales and thrift stores) into the perfect centerpiece! You can add actual candles if you don’t want to finish the rest of the craft with graphics and glass ornaments.
Haunted Picture Frame
Now’s your chance to use one of the more interesting spray paints! This haunted artwork is a perfect DIY for Haunted Mansion-themed parties or as just an eye-catcher on your wall. Stone effect spray paint is applied to craft store foam arms and hands to create a unique piece of Halloween decor!
Crystal Ball
This crystal ball craft turns an ordinary glass ornament into a mystical centerpiece for a “dark arts” theme party. All you’ll need is mercury glass spray paint and some gothic-style bases. Hit your local antique shops for the most authentic look!
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The perfect Halloween party starts with creative decorations. Luckily, it’s easy to upcycle items around your house or visit your local craft store to create something amazing! Once your decorations are set, find amazing Halloween party entertainment with GigSalad. 🎃
Megan is the Director of Customer Experience at GigSalad and has gained 9+ years of insight on what makes a great event on both sides of the booking process. Her favorite things include books, true crime podcasts, coffee, hiking, puns, and making people laugh.