Spooky and Affordable Cheap Halloween Decor Ideas

Get spooky this Halloween without spending much! These cheap Halloween decor ideas make your home fun and eerie on a budget.

DIY Paper Bats

Honestly, paper bats have been one of my favorite last-minute Halloween tricks. I just grabbed some black cardstock, cut out bat shapes in different sizes, and taped them around my living room. The best part? It’s super flexible—you can make tiny ones for lamps or giant ones to spook guests. I remember last year, my neighbor walked by and did a double-take thinking one of the bats actually flew.

I also like to fold the wings slightly, so they pop out from the wall. It adds a fun 3D effect without costing a dime. To be fair, kids can help with this too—they love tracing and cutting, and it keeps them busy while I finish other decorations. Hanging them at different heights honestly makes the whole room feel like it’s crawling with bats.

Ghost Lanterns from Jars

I stumbled on this idea when I had a bunch of empty jars lying around. I just painted white ghosts on the jars with acrylic paint and popped in tea lights. To be honest, the first time I did this, the ghosts looked a little scary… even to me! That’s part of the fun, though.

In my opinion, the best part is how cozy it feels at night. I’ve lined them along my porch, and people walking by always stop and smile. You can even switch it up by using glow sticks instead of candles—safer if kids are around. It’s honestly a cheap, super easy way to make your house feel Halloween-ready.

Painted Pumpkins

I’ve always loved painted pumpkins more than carved ones because they’re less messy and way more creative. I’ve got this small collection now where some are funny, some are creepy, and some are just plain weird—like my neon green pumpkin from last year that I swear glows in daylight.

To be fair, painting is perfect if you have kids. My niece went wild with glitter and googly eyes, and it actually looked amazing. I like to use different patterns and textures—think stripes, dots, or even glitter splashes. Honestly, you can make a statement on your porch without spending a ton, and it lasts longer than carved pumpkins.

Cardboard Tombstones

Making tombstones from cardboard is one of those things that feels cheap but looks surprisingly good. I usually cut out tombstone shapes, paint them grey, and scribble funny or spooky names on them. My friends always laugh when they see “Here Lies My Homework” on one of mine.

I’ve found that leaning them against walls or sticking them in the yard with a little stake works perfectly. You can even make a little “cemetery corner” for photos—people love snapping pics with these. Honestly, it’s a bit of paint and imagination, but it instantly gives your space a haunted vibe.

Spider Webs with Cotton

Cotton spider webs are my go-to lazy decoration. Seriously, I just pull apart cotton balls and stretch them across windows, corners, or even chairs. Last year, I tried adding a few fake spiders, and the reaction from my nephew was priceless—he literally jumped back!

In my opinion, the key is not to overthink it. Messy is good here. I like to layer strands for a thick, creepy look. Honestly, you’d be surprised how realistic it looks under dim lighting, and it’s one of those decorations that people notice immediately when they walk in.

Hanging Witch Hats

I honestly wasn’t sure if hanging witch hats would look silly or cute, but it turned out amazing. I just grabbed some old black hats, added strings, and dangled them from the ceiling in my entryway. It’s like walking into a mini witch convention!

Kids love it, and honestly, adults do too—they always ask where I got them. To be fair, you can even add tiny fairy lights to make them glow a little. I’ve found that grouping them at different heights creates a fun floating effect that makes the space feel magical and spooky at the same time.

Creepy Window Silhouettes

I’ve been obsessed with making creepy silhouettes for my windows. I cut shapes of witches, ghosts, and bats from black paper, then stick them to my windows with tape. Honestly, it’s a simple thing, but walking past my own window at night gave me chills!

To be fair, I like to mix in some funny ones too—it keeps it lighthearted. I’ve found that placing a small light behind the silhouette really makes it pop. It’s cheap, easy, and it gives your house that classic Halloween haunted look without carving or buying anything fancy.

Monster Mason Jars

Monster jars are honestly such a fun little surprise. I just fill mason jars with colored water, googly eyes, and sometimes even glow sticks. One year, I filled a few with green water and added fake slime—I swear it freaked out my guests in the best way.

I’ve found that you can get really creative here. You can make a whole shelf of monsters, each with a different face or personality. Honestly, it’s cheap, quirky, and it gives people something to talk about when they walk in. Kids love peeking inside too—it’s kind of like a mini Halloween science experiment.

Glow-in-the-Dark Eyes

This one is honestly my favorite for quick spookiness. I just hide little glow-in-the-dark eyes in bushes, behind curtains, or in corners. The first time I tried it, my cat freaked out, which honestly made me laugh for like five minutes straight.

To be fair, it’s super cheap and super effective. You can use ping pong balls, styrofoam balls, or even small plastic lids—just draw eyes on them with a neon marker. I’ve found that dim lighting makes them look extra eerie, and it’s a fun way to sneak in some scares without spending money.

Upcycled Scarecrows

Honestly, I never thought of using old clothes for scarecrows until last year. I grabbed some old shirts, jeans, and hats, stuffed them with newspaper, and boom—a spooky yard scarecrow. One neighbor even asked if I bought it at a store!

I’ve found that adding accessories like gloves, scarves, or fake crows really sells it. To be fair, it’s perfect for the front yard or porch, and it’s completely budget-friendly. Honestly, seeing people react when they pass by makes the effort totally worth it.

Halloween Garland

Making Halloween garland has been my go-to lazy decor hack. I cut out bats, ghosts, and pumpkins from colored paper and just string them along the mantel or doorway. Honestly, it’s like instant Halloween magic with zero cost.

I’ve found that mixing different shapes and colors makes it pop. Last year, I even added a few small lights to it, and it honestly looked like something from a magazine. To be fair, it’s fun to get kids involved—they love threading the shapes on string, and it becomes part of the Halloween vibe.

Spooky Candle Holders

I’ve always loved spooky candle holders. To be fair, even a plain glass jar can be turned creepy with black paint, fake cobwebs, or a little scary face drawn on it. Honestly, it’s like magic—the simple flicker of candlelight suddenly makes your whole room feel haunted.

I’ve found that layering multiple candle holders on a table creates an instant creepy centerpiece. Last year, I even put a few fake spiders in them, and people were delighted (or mildly scared!). Honestly, you don’t need to spend much; the trick is in the detail and the glow.

Toilet Paper Ghosts

Toilet paper ghosts are honestly my favorite “I need something fast” idea. I just wrap a little ball of tissue for the head, drape TP around it, tie a string, and hang it. One year, my niece made a whole army of them, and honestly, it looked hilariously spooky.

I’ve found that adding a simple face with a marker makes them come alive. To be fair, you can hang them from ceilings, doorways, or even trees outside. Honestly, they’re cheap, quick, and kids love helping. It’s one of those things that instantly makes your home feel festive without breaking the bank.

Paper Plate Monsters

Paper plate monsters have honestly been a staple in my Halloween arsenal. I just grab old plates, paint them in wild colors, glue on googly eyes, and add construction paper teeth. Honestly, the sillier, the better—it brings a lot of laughs.

I’ve found that they make perfect wall or window decor. To be fair, it’s super cheap, and kids absolutely adore making their own crazy monster faces. Last year, my friend’s kids created a whole monster army for my door—it was chaotic and hilarious. Honestly, it’s a fun way to involve everyone and decorate at the same time.

DIY Halloween Wreaths

Honestly, DIY Halloween wreaths are my favorite because you can use anything—fake leaves, paper, small pumpkins, ribbons. I made one last year with a mix of old fabric scraps and tiny plastic spiders, and people kept asking if it was store-bought!

I’ve found that layering textures and sticking with a color theme makes a huge difference. To be fair, you can hang it on doors, walls, or even windows. Honestly, it’s an easy way to make your entrance feel festive and spooky, and it doesn’t cost much if you raid your craft supplies.