21 DIY Halloween Decorations You Can Make Tonight

One Halloween I realised at four in the afternoon that I had bought no decorations at all, and instead of panicking I spent two hours making things from cardboard, jars, and old sheets, and the kids said it was our best Halloween yet. That is the spirit of this list of diy halloween decorations you can make tonight, with no special skills and no late-night shop run. Save this list before you scroll on, because Halloween evening sneaks up on everyone. See (see also: cheap-halloween-decor-ideas) and (see also: budget-halloween-party-ideas), plus (see also: dollar-store-halloween-decor) for supplies.

What this costs at a glance: Everything here is $0 to $8, using cardboard, jars, toilet rolls, and things from the recycling box, plus a little paint and glue.

1. Toilet Paper Roll Bats in Five Minutes

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 toilet paper roll bats in five minutes, 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. Cheesecloth Ghost on a Balloon Form

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For cheesecloth ghost on a balloon form, 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. Black Cat Cutout From Cardboard

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For black cat cutout 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. 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. Mason Jar Mummy With Gauze Wrap

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 mason jar mummy with gauze wrap, 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.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 60 minutes

5. Spooky Silhouette in the Window

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For spooky silhouette in the window, 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. Paper Plate Spider Webs for Kids

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. For paper plate spider webs for kids, 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. Glow Stick Potion Bottles

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. For glow stick potion bottles, 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

8. Bloody Candles From White Tapers

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 bloody candles from white tapers, 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.

Cost: ~$18 | Time: 20 minutes

9. Witch Hat Ring Toss From Cardboard

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 witch hat ring toss 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. 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. Pumpkin Balloon Faces for the Porch

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For pumpkin balloon faces for 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. 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. Creepy Handprint Tablecloth

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For creepy handprint tablecloth, 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. Tissue Paper Ghost Garland

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 tissue paper ghost garland, 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.

Cost: ~$6 | Time: 5 minutes

13. Spider Web Doormat From Yarn

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For spider web doormat from yarn, 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. Haunted House Luminary From a Paper Bag

I keep coming back to this one because it is cheap, quick, and easy to change next year without wasting anything. For haunted house luminary from a paper bag, 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

15. Fake Blood Drips on a Mirror

My sister asked me how much I paid for this look, and when I told her she laughed, because it cost almost nothing. For fake blood drips on a mirror, 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. Eyeball Punch Bowl Ice Cubes

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 eyeball punch bowl ice cubes, 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.

Cost: ~$0 | Time: 25 minutes

17. Black Lace Tablecloth Over White

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 black lace tablecloth over white, 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. Floating Candles From Paper Towel Rolls

I put this together on a quiet afternoon with things I already had, and it ended up being the part everyone photographed. For floating candles from paper towel rolls, 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. Skeleton Hand Napkin Rings

If you only have an hour and a small budget, start here, because the payoff is huge for how little effort it takes. For skeleton hand napkin rings, 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. Ghost Footprints Leading to the Door

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 ghost footprints leading to the 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. 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.

Cost: ~$8 | Time: 12 minutes

21. Monster Door With Paper Eyes

This is the kind of simple idea that looks plain in your head and lovely in real life, especially in soft daylight. For monster door with paper 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. 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

Quick questions

Q: What if I only have an hour? A: Pick two ideas from the top of this list, like the paper bats and the jar lanterns, and you will have a whole look.

Q: Are these safe with kids around? A: Yes, most use paper and jars, just keep candles battery-powered and scissors away from little hands.