Spooky & Stylish Halloween Apartment Decor Ideas

Last year, I remember sitting in my tiny apartment on October 30th, staring at my blank walls and thinking, “Well… this doesn’t exactly scream Halloween.” I didn’t have the space (or budget) for those giant spooky yard inflatables or haunted house setups, but I still wanted that cozy, festive vibe. Maybe you’ve felt the same? It can feel tricky trying to make a small place feel fun and seasonal without it looking cluttered—or worse, like a dollar store exploded in your living room. But here’s the good news: decorating for Halloween in an apartment doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a few clever Halloween apartment decor ideas, you can totally transform your space into something that feels festive, a little spooky, and still livable. Think simple swaps, creative touches, and just enough magic to make October feel like October. Ready to dive in?

Halloween Apartment Decor Ideas

Halloween apartment decor is all about making your small space spooky, cozy, and fun without feeling cluttered. With the right mix of lights, pumpkins, and creative DIY touches, you can turn any apartment into a festive Halloween haven.

Spooky Front Door Wreaths

Every Halloween, the first thing I tackle is the front door. Honestly, it sets the mood before anyone even walks in. I’ve tried those store-bought wreaths, but they never feel as fun as when I just make my own. I like mixing black ribbon, fake cobwebs, and maybe even a plastic spider or two. One year, I tucked in tiny battery-operated lights, and my neighbor swore it looked like the wreath was alive.

The best part is that it doesn’t have to be perfect—actually, messy twigs and uneven fabric make it creepier. To be fair, I’ve found hot glue is my best friend in this craft. If you want a shortcut, grab a plain grapevine wreath and just layer in Halloween picks from the dollar store. It’s quick, cheap, and you’ll end up with a door that screams “Halloween lives here.”

Halloween Throw Pillows

Throw pillows might sound like a small detail, but in my opinion, they completely change the vibe of a room. Last year, I swapped out my regular couch pillows for orange and black covers with little bats and skeleton prints. Honestly, it felt like the entire apartment transformed with just that one switch. I didn’t even buy new pillows—just cheap slipcovers I could pull out again this year.

I’ve also experimented with making my own. If you can sew even a straight line, you can grab fabric and whip up a pillowcase in no time. One time, I even used old t-shirts with pumpkin prints to cover them. It was messy, but surprisingly charming. Guests notice these little touches more than the big things, I swear. Plus, it’s the kind of décor that makes your space cozy and not just spooky.

Creepy Cobweb Corners

Okay, cobwebs are my guilty pleasure. I know they’re messy, but nothing says Halloween like walking into a room and catching a thin strand of web on your arm. To be fair, I get a little carried away—I’ve stretched them across bookshelves, picture frames, even my lamp. The trick is to pull them really thin so they don’t look like giant cotton balls.

One year, I tucked a fake spider in the corner of my mirror, and my best friend nearly screamed when she spotted it. I’ve learned to use just a little in each spot, because if you cover everything, it looks more like insulation than spooky vibes. In my opinion, cobwebs are the cheapest, quickest way to make an apartment feel like a haunted house. And honestly, I enjoy the reactions they get more than anything else.

Pumpkin-Scented Candles

I don’t care what anyone says—Halloween isn’t complete without the smell of pumpkin. The first time I lit a pumpkin-scented candle in my living room, it instantly felt like October had arrived. There’s something about that sweet-spicy scent that makes you want to curl up with a blanket and a scary movie.

In my opinion, candles are as much about atmosphere as they are about smell. I love grouping three or four in mismatched holders on my coffee table. It gives that flickering, eerie glow without needing fancy decorations. One year, I even put a candle inside a hollow mini pumpkin (with a tealight cup inside for safety). Honestly, it was the cutest thing. If you don’t love pumpkin, apple or cinnamon works just as well, but for me, pumpkin is non-negotiable.

Ghost String Lights

There’s something ridiculously fun about string lights, and ghost-shaped ones just make me smile every single time. Last year, I strung them along my balcony railing, and it turned into a little beacon for trick-or-treaters. They’re lightweight, so you can wrap them around windows, mirrors, or even drape them above your bed.

I’ve even tried DIYing them with white fabric and ping pong balls—it sounds silly, but it worked better than expected. To be fair, the store-bought ones are easier, but I get a kick out of making my own. Honestly, ghost string lights are one of those decorations that feel playful instead of overly scary. Whenever I switch them on, I feel like I’m eight years old again, staying up late to watch cartoons with the lights twinkling around me. That’s the kind of joy I want in my apartment.

Witch Hat Wall Hangings

This one makes me laugh because the first time I hung witch hats from the ceiling with fishing line, everyone who walked in swore they were floating. It was such a simple trick, but the effect was pure magic. To be fair, it took me a while to get them to balance, but once they were up, the room suddenly felt enchanted.

I like clustering them in corners or above the dining table, like a coven is meeting right in my apartment. The hats themselves don’t have to be fancy—cheap felt ones do the job perfectly. I’ve also added glow sticks inside a few, so at night they give off this strange, witchy glow. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite décor hacks because it’s dramatic but costs next to nothing. Guests always ask how I did it, and I secretly love keeping it simple.

Skeleton Window Clings

I’ll be honest—skeleton window clings make me feel like a kid again. I remember sticking them up on my mom’s kitchen windows and being so proud of my “artwork.” Now in my own apartment, I still do it every year. They’re silly, but the way they glow when the streetlights hit at night is just perfect.

One trick I’ve learned is to layer a few together, almost like the skeleton is dancing. To be fair, sometimes they peel off and slide down the glass, but I actually don’t mind—it adds to the haunted vibe. I also like mixing skeletons with bats or ghosts so the windows tell a little Halloween story. Honestly, these are cheap, mess-free, and super easy to remove after the holiday. That’s exactly the kind of décor I can get behind in a small apartment.

Mini Pumpkin Centerpieces

Mini pumpkins are my absolute weakness at the farmer’s market. Every year, I buy way too many, and then I have to figure out where to put them all. My favorite thing is piling them into a bowl on the dining table, maybe mixing in some pinecones or fake leaves. It instantly makes the space feel festive without being over-the-top.

One year, I painted a few with metallic gold spray paint, and honestly, they looked way fancier than I expected. To be fair, I think the natural orange ones are still the cutest, but adding a few painted ones keeps it interesting. I’ve even hollowed out tiny pumpkins to use as tealight holders—it’s messy, but so worth it. If you’re decorating a small space like I do, mini pumpkin centerpieces are the easiest way to sneak fall vibes into every corner.

Cauldron Candy Bowls

There’s just something fun about grabbing candy out of a little black cauldron. I set one on my coffee table every Halloween, and without fail, it gets emptied way too fast. Honestly, it’s not just for kids—my friends dive in for chocolate the second they sit down.

I found that filling the bowl with colorful wrappers makes it look more festive, almost like a bubbling potion. One time, I even lined the cauldron with dry ice at a party, and it gave off this amazing fog effect (though, to be fair, that’s a bit dramatic for everyday use). In my opinion, candy bowls are a must-have for any Halloween setup, and using a cauldron just makes it feel extra fun. It’s simple, cheap, and everyone loves it.

Halloween Table Runners

To be fair, I never used to bother with table runners. But then one year, I grabbed a black lace spiderweb runner on a whim, and it completely changed my dining table. Suddenly, everything looked like I’d actually tried to decorate, when really I’d just tossed it down in two seconds.

I’ve also layered orange fabric underneath for a little pop of color. Honestly, table runners are underrated because they pull the whole room together without much effort. You can even DIY one with fabric from a craft store—just cut it to size and don’t worry about sewing. I once used an old black scarf as a runner, and nobody knew the difference. That’s the kind of low-stress hack I love when decorating an apartment.

Bat Wall Decals

Bats on the wall always make me smile, mostly because they’re so dramatic for something that takes about five minutes to set up. I cut mine out of black cardstock, but you can also buy pre-made decals that just stick on and peel off cleanly later. Honestly, they’re one of the easiest decorations I’ve ever done.

The trick is arranging them like they’re flying out of a corner or swooping toward a window. To be fair, I’ve spent way too long moving them around until they “felt right.” But once they’re up, the effect is incredible. I love watching people’s reactions when they spot the bats climbing across the wall. It’s such a simple thing, but it gives the apartment this bold, spooky energy without being messy or expensive.

Glow-in-the-Dark Lanterns

Glow-in-the-dark lanterns are one of those things I didn’t think I needed—until I had them. The first time I tried them, I left a few on the balcony, and when the lights went out, they gave off this eerie little glow that felt so perfect for Halloween.

I’ve used mason jars with glow paint inside, but to be fair, store-bought lanterns are a lot less messy. Sometimes I’ll slip battery tea lights inside for a steady flicker. Honestly, it’s such a mood booster when you walk into a room glowing softly in the dark. My favorite part is that they keep working even after Halloween—you can use them for cozy nights in winter, too. But during spooky season, they really steal the show.

Haunted Photo Frames

This one cracks me up because I once swapped my regular family photos for creepy old black-and-white prints I found online, and it freaked my guests out so badly. Haunted photo frames are such an underrated trick—they make you look twice every time you walk past.

To be fair, you don’t even need special frames. I just printed out some vintage portraits and popped them into frames I already had. If you want to go all in, you can get those lenticular ones where the eyes follow you—it’s unsettling in the best way. Honestly, haunted photo frames are one of my favorite low-effort hacks. They add a subtle creepiness to your space without taking up extra room, which is perfect for apartment living.

Spider Mason Jar Lanterns

Spider mason jar lanterns are one of those crafts that look way more impressive than they actually are. I just grab a jar, wrap some gauze or cheesecloth around it, stick a plastic spider on, and drop in a tealight. Boom—instant spooky vibe.

I remember the first time I made these, I lined them up on my windowsill, and from outside, they looked like glowing little spider nests. Honestly, it was a little gross but in the best way. To be fair, I’ve also made them with black paint drips down the sides for a creepier look. They’re so versatile—you can go cute or scary depending on your style. And since mason jars are so cheap, you can make a bunch without feeling guilty.

Black Cat Figurines

I’ll be real with you—I’m a sucker for black cat décor. Maybe it’s because I grew up with a cat who loved sitting in the window every Halloween like she was part of the show. Now, I keep a couple of little black cat figurines on my shelves, and they always make me smile.

Some people go for sleek ceramic cats, but I’ve also found cute plush versions that feel more playful. To be fair, I think a mix works best—it adds a little personality to the space. Honestly, I love how black cats can be both elegant and spooky at the same time. They’re one of those details that tie a whole Halloween setup together without being too in-your-face. Plus, they’re small, so they don’t clutter up an apartment, which is a win for me.

DIY & Budget-Friendly Ideas

Decorating for Halloween doesn’t have to cost a fortune—sometimes the spookiest touches are the simplest ones. With a little creativity, you can make your apartment festive using affordable or recycled items. These DIY ideas are renter-friendly, easy to set up, and fun to create.

• Paper bats, ghosts, or spiders for walls – Cut out shapes from black or white paper and tape them to walls for an instant spooky effect.

• Painted mason jars as candle holders – Give old jars a new life with orange, black, or white paint, then add LED candles for a safe, glowing vibe.

• Upcycled cardboard tombstones or signs – Use old cardboard boxes to craft mini gravestones or Halloween signs for your entryway or living room.

• Dollar-store finds that can be repurposed – Grab inexpensive items like fake cobwebs, plastic spiders, or pumpkin buckets and give them a personal DIY twist.

Would you like me to also make this section more casual and blog-style (like you’re chatting with a friend), or keep it clean and guide-like?

FAQ

What are some easy Halloween decorations for apartments?

Simple things like string lights, mini pumpkins, wall decals, or spooky throw pillows can instantly give your apartment a festive look.

How can I decorate my apartment if I’m on a tight budget?

DIY crafts are the best—try paper bats, painted mason jars, or repurposing dollar-store items like spider webs and plastic pumpkins.

Are Halloween decorations safe for small apartments?

Yes, as long as you use LED candles instead of real ones and avoid blocking hallways or doors. Always keep safety first in small spaces.

What decorations work best if I can’t damage the walls?

Removable wall stickers, Command hooks for hanging lights, and window clings are perfect renter-friendly options.