21 DIY Halloween Decorations on a Budget

Halloween is my favourite excuse to get crafty, because the best decorations are often the weirdest ones you make yourself, not the ones you buy. This list of diy halloween decorations is full of ideas you can finish in one evening with scissors, glue, and things from around the house. Save this list before you scroll on, because the night before Halloween always arrives faster than you think. I have linked (see also: cheap-halloween-porch-ideas) and (see also: budget-fall-decor-ideas) for more, plus (see also: dollar-store-halloween-decor) if you want the cheapest route.

What this costs at a glance: Nearly everything here is $0 to $10, using cardboard, jars, old sheets, and dollar-store glue, paint, and lights.

Under $5 Tonight

1. Cheesecloth Ghosts Hanging From the Porch

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without buying anything big, and guests always notice it first. For cheesecloth ghosts hanging from the porch, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 25 minutes

2. Black Paper Bats Flying Across the Wall

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For black paper bats flying across the wall, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 35 minutes

3. Mason Jar Lanterns With Googly Eyes

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For mason jar lanterns with googly eyes, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$7 | Time: 45 minutes

4. Spooky Apothecary Bottles From Old Jars

I was sceptical the first time I tried this, but once it was in place the whole space felt warmer and more pulled together. For spooky apothecary bottles from old jars, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Pro tip: Step back and look from the doorway before you call it done, because that is the view your guests will actually see.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 60 minutes

5. Trash Bag Spider Webs on the Front Door

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For trash bag spider webs on the front door, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 12 minutes

6. Pumpkin Faces Cut From Cardboard

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. For pumpkin faces cut from cardboard, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$12 | Time: 22 minutes

7. Bloody Handprint Window Clings You Make Yourself

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. For bloody handprint window clings you make yourself, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$15 | Time: 10 minutes

Spooky But Simple

8. Floating Witch Hats With Fishing Line

I tried this last year and it worked far better than I expected, mostly because it looks like you spent a lot when you really did not. For floating witch hats with fishing line, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Pro tip: Step back and look from the doorway before you call it done, because that is the view your guests will actually see.

Cost: ~$18 | Time: 20 minutes

9. Mummy-Wrapped Vases With Gauze

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without buying anything big, and guests always notice it first. For mummy-wrapped vases with gauze, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$20 | Time: 30 minutes

10. Creepy Crawly Table Runner From Black Lace

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For creepy crawly table runner from black lace, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$25 | Time: 40 minutes

11. Glow-in-the-Dark Skeleton Hands in Plant Pots

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For glow-in-the-dark skeleton hands in plant pots, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$4 | Time: 50 minutes

12. Tombstones Cut From Foam Board

I was sceptical the first time I tried this, but once it was in place the whole space felt warmer and more pulled together. For tombstones cut from foam board, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Pro tip: Step back and look from the doorway before you call it done, because that is the view your guests will actually see.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 5 minutes

13. Witch Brooms Leaning by the Fireplace

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For witch brooms leaning by the fireplace, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$9 | Time: 18 minutes

14. Blood Drip Candles From Red Wax

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. For blood drip candles from red wax, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$11 | Time: 28 minutes

Porch and Windows

15. Spider Egg Sacks From Cotton Balls

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. For spider egg sacks from cotton balls, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$14 | Time: 15 minutes

16. Haunted Mirror Message in Lipstick

I tried this last year and it worked far better than I expected, mostly because it looks like you spent a lot when you really did not. For haunted mirror message in lipstick, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Pro tip: Step back and look from the doorway before you call it done, because that is the view your guests will actually see.

Cost: ~$0 | Time: 25 minutes

17. Candy Corn Vases From Painted Jars

This one is my go-to when I want the room to feel finished without buying anything big, and guests always notice it first. For candy corn vases from painted jars, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$3 | Time: 35 minutes

18. Black Cat Silhouettes on the Windows

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For black cat silhouettes on the windows, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Grab your supplies, test the arrangement on the table first, move things until it feels even, and only then fix anything in place. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. Keep the colours calm and let one texture do the talking, and the whole thing will look far more expensive than it was.

Cost: ~$5 | Time: 45 minutes

19. Paper Bag Luminaries Along the Walkway

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For paper bag luminaries along the walkway, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Begin with a clean, empty surface, set your anchor piece in the centre, build outwards in layers, and leave a little breathing room so it does not look crowded. A guest once asked where I bought this, and I loved saying I made it in an evening, because that is the whole point of decorating on a budget. It takes minutes, costs very little, and you can reuse most of it next year, which is exactly how I like to decorate.

Cost: ~$7 | Time: 60 minutes

20. Eerie Fog in a Cauldron With Dry Ice

I was sceptical the first time I tried this, but once it was in place the whole space felt warmer and more pulled together. For eerie fog in a cauldron with dry ice, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. First gather everything in one spot, then place the tallest item at the back, fill in the middle with texture, and tuck the smallest details in last. The trick I learned the hard way is to test it in daylight first, because something that looks great at night can look flat in the morning. Once it is up, light a candle nearby and stand back, because that warm glow is what pulls the whole look together.

Pro tip: Step back and look from the doorway before you call it done, because that is the view your guests will actually see.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 12 minutes

21. Mismatched Potion Bottles on a Tray

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For mismatched potion bottles on a tray, I like to keep the palette simple and let the materials shine, using what you already own first and only buying the one small thing that ties it together. Start by clearing the surface, then lay down your base layer, add the main pieces in odd numbers, and step back to check the balance before you finish. I made the mistake of buying the fancy version first, then realised the cheap one looked exactly the same once it was styled, so I returned the expensive one. If it feels a bit bare, add one more small natural touch, like a sprig of greenery, and it will feel complete without extra spending.

Cost: ~$10 | Time: 22 minutes