Of all the celebrations where unique crafts and homemade decor are used, Halloween has to be the most fun and creative.
Halloween decorating ideas keep getting better, better and definitely scarier every year, so if you’re thinking about how to add a more unique touch to your Halloween display, we’ve put together some of our favorite Halloween decorating ideas that the whole family can enjoy and appreciate – and of course the trick. Or candy.
From traditional Halloween craft ideas like carved pumpkins, to more modern ghostly creations for outdoor Halloween decor, whether you want to be bold or subtle with your DIY decor, we’ve got you covered with our list of crafty ideas.
8 DIY Halloween decorations for indoors and outdoors
Not only can DIY Halloween decorations make your Halloween displays feel extra special, they’re the perfect activity to embrace on a gloomy fall weekend or a dark evening — and they’ll definitely help you get into the spirit of the spooky season.
1. Carved pumpkins
(Image credit: Future)
What’s Halloween without lots of pumpkins? These spooky pumpkins are the ultimate symbol of not only Halloween, but fall decor and Thanksgiving decor as well – so we say, the more you decorate with pumpkin ideas, the better.
A truly timeless Halloween decorating idea is of course pumpkin carving. Whether you keep it traditional with a classic carved lantern face, or opt for a more modern design with carved words like “BOO” or your family’s nickname, nothing beats the alluring glow of a beautiful carved pumpkin. Have a pumpkin carving kit, like this one on Amazon, at the ready.
Watch Lindsay Roggen Buck’s pumpkin carving hack below to make sure you’re carving pumpkins the right way this year.
@lindsayroggenbuck ♬ Creepy and Creepy Skeletons – Andrew Gould
2. Painted pumpkins
(Image credit: The End)
If you’re looking for more easy, no-carve pumpkin ideas, painted pumpkins are sure to bring eye-catching color to your indoor and outdoor spaces.
For great Halloween decor ideas, choose a paint color or design that matches your existing room color ideas and interior style.
“Halloween doesn’t always have to be black, orange and purple,” says Nora Napentic, founder of homewares brand Nora Fleming. I love painting faux pumpkins to match my home decor style. I’m constantly changing my home with new wallpapers, paint colors, and new odds and ends. I find inspiration in my new favorite pieces and create fun pumpkin murals to fit my latest style.’
For a more seasonal look, paint on classic Halloween decorations like ghosts, bats, and of course, lantern faces. We explore how to draw a pumpkin in our dedicated feature.
To elevate your painted pumpkin design to new decorative heights, why not decorate it with beautiful flowers and foliage, as shown below by Cassandra Evans.
Chicago-based Nora Napentic is the founder of Nora Fleming, a brand that specializes in selling and creating unique gifts and homewares.
3. Pumpkin planter
(Image credit: Bloom & Wild)
Instead of decorating the outside of the pumpkin with flowers and leaves, another easy Halloween decorating idea is to treat your pumpkin like a vase or planter and fill it with beautiful seasonal flowers and branches. You can either pick fresh cuttings from your garden, or fill the pumpkins with dried or faux designs – we love the Afloral range.
Pumpkin planter ideas are perfect for adding eye-catching color and shape to your Halloween porch decor, as well as bringing the beauty of the natural world into your home; As shown by Shannon below with her floral pumpkin arrangement.
4. Decorate with seasonal flowers and foliage
Dan Ducharz/Future Publishing Limited
(Image credit: Future)
As simple as placing some leaves and flowers in a pretty vase, to learn how to make a Halloween wreath for Halloween door decor, upgrading your home with nature’s bounty is a Halloween decorating idea that can truly celebrate the change in seasons.
“The highlight of Halloween from other seasonal celebrations is the color palette,” says flower expert and florist Igor Podyablonsky at My Flowers. Think bright orange, dark red, deep violet and even black. In terms of flowers, there are plenty of pre-dyed petals to help turn your home into a Halloween wonderland but some flowers like roses also come in a variety of colors as well. Dark roses can be mixed with red and orange flowers for a gorgeous look and feel.’
Cassandra Evans shows us how to make a beautiful fall wreath below, perfect for use in fall wreath ideas, throughout Halloween and for Thanksgiving wreath ideas too.
5. Be skilled with candles
(Image credit: IKEA)
Not only can candles make your home feel cozier and cozy this Halloween, they make great decorations too. One way to decorate a plain candle for the spooky season is to get creative with pens and paint.
Below, Kara Whitten not only transforms these white taper candles into some cute ghostly face-painted decorations, but she also changes their shape.
Of course, you don’t have to stop at just the ghosts, from orange candles featuring jack-o’-lantern faces, to any spooky symbol that catches your eye, a decorated candle can be placed almost anywhere in the house — we think they’re perfect to add to your Halloween table.
Remember, don’t ruin your best candles, buy new ones specifically for decorating, like these colorful taper candles from Joann.
6. Make your own ghosts
(Image credit: Grandin Road)
One of the biggest DIY Halloween decorating ideas we’ve seen on TikTok this year are homemade ghost decorations.
Ideal for enhancing the corner of a room indoors, or for use outdoors in a covered area, the result is eerily stunning.
Missy Blackwell takes us through how to create these fun decorations below.
@macy.blackwell ♬ Autumn ornaments – sarahdeluxe
7. Making paper decorations
(Image credit: Stephanie Viner | Cottage Living)
From paper Halloween wreaths to banners and more, it doesn’t get much easier than paper crafts.
Above, Stephanie Viner of Cottage Living created a magical and spooky display in her living room using paper bat decorations. “We made the bats look like they were floating on the wall, but they could also be hung from the ceiling, or even hung on the front door,” she says of the design. There are also many ways in which you can style these bats on the wall.
Last year, we stuck it around the bedroom mirror as if bats were circling around it. This year we wanted to add some Halloween decor to our freshly painted black fireplace. This Halloween DIY is perfect if you need a last-minute addition to your Halloween decor, or for a spooky but fun Halloween get-together.’
Learn how to make a fun Halloween wreath from One Little Project below.
@onelittleproject ♬ Halloween – TonsTone
Stephanie Viner is the editor-in-chief of Cottage Living and Style magazine, a source of simple rustic fun, accessible designs, and DIY tips.
8. Style with string lights
(Image credit: Alamy)
DECORATE YOUR HOME – Both indoors and outdoors, using string lights will make your space warmer and more cozy, and the lights can also help illuminate other Halloween decorations.
Whether you use the lights outdoors to wrap around your porch railing or front door – they are perfect for making your home look more inviting for all your trick or treating, or embrace a more simple, compact craft with foliage and string lights. String lights are perfect to place on your fireplace mantel or in window, and they’re wonderfully versatile — they can be reused for your Christmas decor ideas too, so it’s always helpful to have a set, like these battery-operated lights from Amazon.
We love what Pamela Dyer created below using string lights and some ornaments and objects – the perfect Halloween centerpiece.
common questions
What are popular Halloween decorations?
Pumpkins are often the most popular Halloween decoration to use on Halloween. Other typical Halloween decorations and decorations include those of ghosts, ghouls, spiders, skeletons, witches, and wreaths.
However, as we discovered in this piece, Halloween decor comes in all styles and themes, with Halloween trends adapting every year.
Whether you’re embracing spooky and creepy decor, or going for a more modern, subtle and sophisticated look, decorate your home with designs that will bring you joy all season long, or with pieces that coordinate perfectly with your home and style.
We also explore the most popular Halloween decorations in our custom pieces.
Of course, nothing can beat the magic of homemade decor, but if you’re looking to spruce up your Halloween planner with some irresistibly chic, spooky new purchases, be sure to explore the best indoor Halloween decors and the best outdoor Halloween decors.