Looking for diy halloween decorations that are cute, a little creepy or somewhere in between? These ideas include little countertop ghosts, floating witch hats and a whole lawn of glowing faces.
There are smaller details to borrow too, like colorful monster eyes and a checkerboard pumpkin.
You can keep things simple or go all out. Start with a spot you want to decorate, then choose your ghosts, spiders or skeletons.
Halloween decorating ideas worth trying
little ghosts and a pumpkin
We’re starting off strong with these adorable white ghosts. I love the little black oval eyes, especially on the ghost holding an orange pumpkin.
Keep your own display small with a pair of ghosts at different heights. That tiny pumpkin is the detail I’d keep!
black bats with raised wings
How cute are these bats? The wings lift away from the pale background instead of lying completely flat.
For your own version, try black paper cutouts with a fold near the middle. Mix larger and smaller bats rather than making every shape identical.
floating witch hats
I am obsessed with these floating witch hats. They hang at different heights over the table, with white pumpkins in clear jars underneath.
If you want to follow this black-and-white look, add a dark table runner and a little black bird. Keep hanging decorations well away from any candle flames.
a clear jar starting point
Already have a jar you’d like to decorate? This image shows a clear lidded jar with curved ridges, but it doesn’t show the finished Halloween project.
For your own version, you could add a black ribbon and a spooky label. Those would be your additions, not details shown here.
glowing mummy faces
How adorable are these mummy jars? Not gonna lie, those big googly eyes are my favorite part!
The overlapping white strips still let the light show through.
Try pairing a tall jar with a shorter one like these. Choose battery-operated lights for your version rather than putting a flame near the wrapping.
a dark ring and spooky picture
This is a project in progress, but the black ring and patterned backing already give you a pretty spooky starting point. A small rectangular picture sits underneath the ring.
If you want to borrow the look, try a Halloween illustration behind a dark circular frame. I’d keep the colors just as muted.
a towering haunted house
If you are looking for a true eye-catcher, then this one is for you. The black haunted-house silhouette has tall pointed towers, crooked rooflines and little window openings.
I especially love the tiny cat shape on the porch. For a smaller adaptation, you could sketch a similar house onto cardboard and display it against a pale wall.
an open coffin prop
Want something a little creepier than smiling ghosts? This tall brown coffin prop has an open front and dark lines that give it a plank-like pattern.
The picture shows it standing in an indoor corner. For your own display, a small skeleton placed inside would take the idea a step further.
a five-eyed monster door
This monster door is just too cute. The eyes have different colored centers, with yellow horns on the walls and white teeth around the lower vent.
Try round plate-shaped eyes for your version and give each one a different color. Don’t forget the skinny black arms reaching out on either side.
a pretend fireplace
No fireplace to decorate? This pretend mantel gives you a place to start.
The exposed corrugated edges and plain brown finish are visible, with an orange jack-o’-lantern sitting on top.
If you’ve been looking for “cardboard halloween decorations diy,” this is a fun direction to explore. Keep it decorative only, with no real flames or heat sources.
spooky destination arrows
Calling all fans of The Nightmare Before Christmas! These black arrows point toward places including Halloween Town and Spiral Hill, with white lettering and little colored illustrations.
I love the orange pumpkin beside the top label. For your own sign, alternate the arrow directions and choose a different little symbol for each destination.
a ghost above the grass
This ghost is a little different from the sweet countertop pair. The long white shape appears to float above the lawn, with one side reaching outward.
Looking for front yard halloween ideas diy fans could adapt? Borrow this simple silhouette and leave some empty space around it.
You don’t need a whole crowd of props for this look.
a ghost in a witch hat
I am obsessed with this little porch scene. The tall white ghost wears a black witch hat, with a broom leaning in front and pumpkins gathered at the bottom.
The checkerboard pumpkin may just be my favorite detail. Keep that black-and-white pattern if you want something different from an all-orange display.
a row of railing ghosts
Don’t want to go all out with a big porch display? No problem!
These little white ghosts line the dark railing, each with black eyes and pointed hanging ends.
I love how simple the row looks with orange pumpkins near the door. Space yours along the railing rather than crowding them into one corner.
pumpkins beside gravestones
This is a classic spooky-yard combination. Gray gravestones sit among orange pumpkins, with a skull near the front and webbing stretched farther back.
I love the mix of jack-o’-lantern faces and plain pumpkins. Group yours near the base of the stones rather than spreading every piece equally across the lawn.
a little fenced graveyard
Want to keep your graveyard in one small area? This pale picket fence surrounds a narrow garden bed beside the porch, with gray gravestones inside.
The uneven pointed fence tops are such a good detail. This is a nice layout to borrow when you’d rather leave the main lawn open.
monster faces on trees
Who says the trees can’t join in? These trunks have oversized monster faces, including a single huge eye and a wide toothy mouth.
Each face looks different, which is my favorite part of this idea. If you try removable face decorations, choose a tree-safe attachment rather than driving nails into the bark.
a skeleton mowing the lawn
Last but definitely not least, we have a skeleton taking over the yard work. Its hands rest on the mower handle while a staged figure lies partly beneath the front.
Definitely a creepier choice than the smiling ghosts!
For a display like this, use a nonworking prop mower or fully disable the equipment. Keep the whole scene out of the walking path.
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