In early October, store shelves are filled with skeletons, pumpkins, inflatable elves and other Halloween decorations. Instead of using the same holiday setup as everyone else, it can be fun (and affordable) to create your own Halloween decor. If you want to add a little trickery to your home, check out these DIY Halloween decoration ideas.
Whether you opt for spooky crafts or stylish decorations to get you through Thanksgiving, we're sharing our best Halloween ideas. Make wreaths for a Halloween costume, decorate pumpkins with candy corn, or try our best Halloween party decorations. Get out the hot glue and brushes because these DIY Halloween decorations work just as well indoors as they do outdoors.
Color the haunted houses
Create a haunted house for your Halloween chimney by adapting simple wooden (or cardboard) houses. Half-timbered houses are available at most craft stores, and you can turn them into a spooky focal point by painting them black or gray. It's also a great way to use up leftover paint. Leave some areas unpainted for a slightly messy look that looks spooky and perfect for Halloween. Look for homes with wider doors for a night glow so you can install an electric tea light to illuminate the home with a warm orange glow.
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Show empty frames
Thrift stores are a great place to find beautiful frames that won't break the bank. A gallery wall lined with cobwebs and black butterflies or spiders looks quirky yet sophisticated, especially when decorated in amber and black medicine bottles. Fill the bottles with water dyed with food coloring to mimic the look of medicine.
DIY giant spiders
A sophisticated fall coat gets a playful twist with these giant Halloween spiders. It's hard not to love these cute creepy creatures that you can make yourself with foam balls, thread and hot glue. Get creative with placement by having them crawl up the stairs or display them outside for the kids to enjoy. And the fun doesn't have to stop there! We have other great Halloween decorations that you can make at home.
Paint the splattered pumpkin
This kid-friendly fall activity is fun for the whole family, and this pumpkin decorating project requires no sharp tools. Mini pumpkins are decorated with brightly colored spray paint. Kids can channel their inner Jackson Pollock by spray painting pumpkins; Any size pumpkin will work. Just remember that it's better than outdoor activities.
Garland with paper straws
Colorful, festive and not too scary, this paper garland is an easy Halloween decoration idea. Cut Halloween-themed straws in half or thirds, then poke holes in the center with a pin and tie with twine. Hang wreaths over your fireplace or doorway for holiday cheer.
Halloween silhouettes
Before you toss an old magazine or newspaper, consider its DIY decorating potential. This Halloween DIY couldn't be easier! Draw a picture of a witch (or other favorite monster) on a piece of newspaper, then cut it out and tape it to a wooden board or black poster board. Or make a pumpkin shape from newspaper or other magazine pieces to make a collage. For added creepiness, consider cutting a picture of a witch from the page of an old horror novel.
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DIY spider crown
It's amazing what you can do with a vine wreath. To make this DIY spider wreath, spray paint a vine wreath and then add a fake spider with hot glue or chain. Leave it as it is, or make it a little spooky by adding mesh or faux flowers and twinkling lights in the middle for some color and sparkle.
Simple monogrammed pumpkins
When designing your Halloween porch, consider stacking pumpkins. Carve your initials on a pumpkin or buy one and write a Halloween word like "boo". Painting a pumpkin is also an easy option and reduces the risk of your creation rotting or being eaten by animals before Halloween.
sliced pumpkins
These carved pumpkins offer a less messy alternative to lantern carving. Paint the pumpkin first to remove the orange base, then use a wood carving tool to lightly carve your design. Using petroleum jelly on the cut design will make it last longer.
Cobweb with pigtails
You don't need much more than thick yarn and hot glue to make this spider web to match your farmhouse Halloween decorations. You can close it or move it away to fit your space. Finally, style it with pumpkins and chrysanthemums or a giant spider.
Halloween door decoration
Decorate your door with bat ornaments to take your fall porch to the next level. You can replicate this easy DIY Halloween project by using yellow kraft paper to cover the door. Add large bat stickers or bat silhouettes cut from black paper. Place orange pumpkins, gourds and chrysanthemums in vases to complete the seasonal scene.
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DIY candy corn pumpkins
There's nothing sweeter than this easy candy corn and felt pumpkin craft. Hot glue pumpkin cookies (real or fake) and add a face made from simple felt shapes. This is a project the whole family will love, and because they're more cute than scary, you can save these hedgehog pumpkins for Thanksgiving.
DIY birch wreaths
Create a festive fall decoration with this twig wreath and collect sticks from your yard for budget-friendly Halloween crafts. You can also buy twigs, but ground ones work best when glued together in a circle. Complete the look by covering the crown with synthetic webs filled with plastic spiders.
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