31 Budget-Friendly Halloween Decoration Ideas
- 31 Cheap Halloween Decoration Ideas
- Scary Halloween Decorations
- Kid-Friendly Halloween Decorations
- Funny Halloween Decorations
- Dollar Store Halloween Decorations
- Kids Craft Halloween Decorations
- Halloween Decor to Compete With the Neighbors
After a quieter Halloween in 2020, people across the country are eager to get back outside and spook the neighborhood again in 2021.
Per the National Retail Federation, shoppers are projected to spend more than $10 billion on Halloween items this year — about $2 billion higher than 2020, marking a record for seasonal spending.
Popular often equals pricey. A quick look at Home Depot’s site reveals inflatables ranging from an affordable $15 to an eye-popping $213. If you want an over-the-top display, you certainly can splurge.
But you don’t have to empty your wallet to get spooky. You can craft low-cost Halloween decorations that still deliver chills. Whether you want to out-decorate the neighbors, keep things simple indoors, or do kid-friendly DIY projects, we’ve collected ideas to help.
31 Cheap Halloween Decoration Ideas
Carving pumpkins and buying candy will get you in the mood — and ready to decorate.
Scary Halloween Decorations
1. Bloody Candles
This quick DIY needs only a white candle, a red jar candle, an eyedropper and a lighter. Melt wax from the red candle and drip it over the white one to create a gruesome, blood-dripped look.
2. Zombie Hand Decals
There’s something unsettling about silhouetted hands clawing upward — perfect for indoor scares. These vinyl wall decals cost about $16 and peel off easily after Halloween — or remain to creep out visitors for longer.
3. Creepy Black Cloth
Set a spooky mood with an inexpensive black cotton/polyester cloth for around $7; it measures 79 x 189 inches, enough to cover a large area. Slice it, tear holes, or drape it creatively to darken your display.
4. Hanging Cocoon Corpse
This extremely creepy hanging cocoon corpse runs just under $18 on Amazon. The 6-foot figure is wrapped in “spider webbing” and has glowing red LED eyes — perfect for yards or greeting trick-or-treaters.
5. Head in a Jar
For those who prefer a more twisted prop, this severed head in a lab jar is delightfully disturbing. At about $13, it pairs well with intense horror setups or a mad scientist costume.
Kid-Friendly Halloween Decorations
6. DIY Bewitching Pumpkin
With household items, basic craft supplies and some spray paint, you and the kids can make decorated pumpkins without the mess of carving — ideal for a fun Saturday project.
7. Pine Cone Spiders
Gather pine cones from outside, add a few googly eyes and pipe cleaners, and in minutes you’ll have pine cone spiders. Scatter them around to add playful creepiness.
8. DIY Tin Can Ghosts
Repurpose tin cans and use paint and other basic craft supplies to create charming tin can ghosts that feel more whimsical than frightening.
9. Outdoor Ghosties
If handmade outdoor decor isn’t your thing, pick up this set of three LED ghost lanterns with animated faces for about $20. They’re kid-friendly and great for involving little helpers.
10. Glowing Ghost Balloons
With white balloons, a black marker and glow sticks, you can make glowing ghost balloons to scatter throughout your home and set a festive mood for a Halloween party.
Funny Halloween Decorations
11. The Red “It” Balloon
Tie a red balloon to a storm grate for a cheeky nod to Stephen King’s famous horror, It. If you enjoy darkly humorous pop-culture gags, this one’s for you.
12. Two-Pack of Posable Skeletons
These 16-inch posable skeletons, about $13 for a pair, are best suited for indoor spots like mantels. Arrange them in silly poses for guaranteed chuckles.
13. The Crashing Witch
This hilarious witch-in-distress prop looks like she lost control of her broom. Attach her to a tree, column or door — the $20 decoration even includes a “don’t drink and fly” warning sign.
14. Googly Eyes
This goofy craft uses dried gourds for large eyes or avocado pits for small ones to create oversized eyeballs. Tuck them into bushes or set them on a mantel for laughs.
Dollar Store Halloween Decorations
15. DIY Wreath
For roughly $4 you can craft a bright, festive Halloween wreath that livens up your front door — an economical and eye-catching decoration.
16. Decorative Signs
If you just want simple pieces to mark your holiday decor, check out 12-pack dollar store signs with various Halloween sayings for about $12.
17. Printable Apothecary Labels
Print spooky labels like “Witch’s Brew” or “Spider Eggs” for around $5 and stick them on old painted bottles for instant, inexpensive apothecary-style decor.
18. DIY Wine Glass Centerpieces
Upcycle old wine glasses with paint, a brush and some hemp rope to create charming Halloween centerpieces — a great way to reuse items and add personality to your table.
19. Plastic Hanging Skeletons
Dollar Tree’s 3-foot plastic hanging skeletons come in orange, white and green and ship in cases of 36. At $36 per case, you can deck out your house, porch and yard — or split the cost with a neighbor.
Kids Craft Halloween Decorations
20. DIY Spellbooks
Those unread hardcover books can be transformed with hot glue and craft paint into whimsical spellbooks with your children — a fun addition to any spooky bookshelf.
21. Ghostie Milk Jugs
Turn gallon milk jugs into glowing ghost luminaries using a marker, a knife and low-voltage Christmas lights — perfect for lining your walkway or porch on Halloween night.
22. DIY “Floating” Pumpkins
Use foam pumpkins from craft stores and a few household supplies to make floating jack-o’-lanterns that add whimsy to your display.
23. “Floating” Lighted Witch Hats
Using a $3 black witch hat, LED light sticks and some common materials, you can make floating witch hat luminarias to dress up your porch.
Halloween Decor to Compete With the Neighbors
If you take Halloween seriously, here are some splurge-worthy pieces to consider.
24. Giant Spider in a Web
If you’ve ever wanted to terrify the block with a 4-foot spider, this giant spider inside a 16 x 17-foot web is the way to go — and it’s only about $16.
25. Spooky Lanterns
A set of two lanterns gives a refined spooky-chic touch to your outdoor display — a tasteful option for lighting your entryway with style.
26. Hanging Reaper
Not as gory as a corpse but still eerie, this hanging reaper features poseable arms, red LED eyes and sound activation. For $19.99 it’s perfect for swaying under a tree and freaking out the neighbors.
27. Giant Bloodshot Eyeballs
Create gigantic bloodshot eyeballs with a large beach ball or exercise ball, sandpaper and acrylic paints. They add a surreal, chilling touch to any yard.
28. Pumpkin String Lights
A simple set of pumpkin string lights adds atmosphere — one set typically includes 21 pumpkins across 10 feet for easy hanging.
29. Witch Cauldron Silhouette
Two witches around a steaming cauldron create an iconic silhouette — an easy way to add theatrical flair to your lawn.
30. Skull and Gargoyle Tombstones
This $15 skull-and-gargoyle tombstone delivers just the right eerie vibe for a haunted yard without going overboard.
31. Yard Stake Witch Feet
These whimsical yard stakes give the illusion of a witch crash-landing feet-first in your lawn — a $10 prop that’s great for laughs.
For more budget-friendly tips, check out cheap halloween candy alternatives and ideas to dress up your ride with halloween car decorations.
Jonathan Hayes is a senior writer for Savinly.
