21 Cheap & Easy Halloween Decorations That Will Totally Spook & Delight This Year

Halloween doesn’t need to cost a fortune or leave your house in chaos. The trick (pun intended) is finding cheap & easy Halloween decorations that still look amazing. You don’t need pro-level crafting skills—just a little creativity, some household items, and maybe a glue gun. Let’s dive into 21 spook-tacular ideas you’ll love for this year.

1. Floating cheesecloth ghost lanterns glowing above the sofa with fairy lights

SAVE

Stretch cheesecloth over white balloons, hang them above your sofa with fishing line, and tuck fairy lights behind. When the lights glow through the gauzy fabric, the effect is delightfully eerie. It looks like spirits have drifted in for movie night.

Explore more: 24 Creepy Halloween Decor Ideas

The best part? It costs almost nothing to pull off and instantly adds atmosphere. Friends and kids alike will pause, smile, and maybe even shiver. It’s a simple hack that transforms your living room into a haunted haven.

2. Red wax-dripped candles clustered for a bloody gothic centerpiece

SAVE

Start with cheap white candles. Melt red wax (or use red crayons) and let it drip down the sides. Place the candles together on a tray for a sinister but stylish centerpiece. The red drips look unsettlingly realistic.

This decoration works perfectly for Halloween dinner parties or even just your coffee table. Add a dark tablecloth or some faux cobwebs underneath, and you’ve got a chilling focal point that screams gothic drama.

3. Lit pathway of glowing milk jug ghosts lining your front yard

SAVE

Rinse out your empty milk jugs, draw silly or spooky faces with a black marker, and pop in LED candles. Line them up along your pathway so they glow as guests arrive. They’re inexpensive, recyclable, and big on charm.

Kids absolutely love this idea. The glow makes your yard look welcoming but still festive. It’s proof that sometimes the best decorations are the simplest.

Explore more: 27 Halloween Porch Decorations

4. Black and orange balloon archway with “BOO” letters for entryway drama

SAVE

Grab black and orange balloons, cluster them together, and build an arch over your front entry. Add silver or white “BOO” letters to complete the look. Balloon arches feel impressive but are surprisingly cheap.

Guests will love walking under this dramatic welcome. It also doubles as the perfect Instagram-worthy backdrop for party photos. Affordable, bold, and festive—it’s a triple win.

5. Jack-o’-lantern balloons above a snack table with spider confetti

SAVE

Blow up orange balloons, draw pumpkin faces, and float them above your snack table. Add spider-shaped confetti across the table for a playful, creepy vibe. It’s the kind of setup that makes your party pop.

The great thing about balloon décor is its flexibility. You can create a few for a small gathering or dozens for a larger bash. Either way, it’s cheap, fun, and full of Halloween spirit.

6. Shadowy bats flying across the fireplace wall in a dramatic swoop

SAVE

Cut bat shapes from black cardstock and arrange them across your wall. Place them in a sweeping pattern so it looks like a swarm mid-flight. Above a fireplace, the effect feels both creepy and artistic.

This idea works because it’s bold but minimal. You don’t need dozens of props—just paper and tape. Yet the result transforms the vibe of the room instantly.

Explore more: 25 Halloween Kitchen Decor Ideas

7. Witch hats suspended from the ceiling for a magical floating effect

SAVE

Suspend dollar-store witch hats from the ceiling with fishing line. Add battery-powered tea lights inside each one for a warm glow. They’ll look like enchanted hats drifting in midair.

The floating illusion is magical, and it gets people talking. Guests will ask how you did it. FYI—it’s way easier than it looks and costs next to nothing.

8. Painted pumpkin faces glowing on the porch steps at dusk

SAVE

Instead of carving, paint silly or scary faces on pumpkins. Set them on your steps and place battery candles behind them to glow after dark. They’ll last longer and are less messy than carving.

Painted pumpkins give you more design freedom too. You can go scary, cute, or downright quirky. The glowing steps will guide visitors to your door in spooky style.

9. Black bat silhouettes cut from cardstock perched on indoor houseplants

SAVE

Take black cardstock and cut tiny bat shapes. Clip or tape them to the leaves of your indoor plants. Suddenly, your houseplants look like they belong in Dracula’s den.

It’s subtle, cheap, and unexpected. Guests will notice the little details when they walk by, and those details make your home feel truly haunted.

10. Orange and black streamers with white pumpkins for a festive wall

SAVE

Streamers are classic for a reason—they fill space and add color instantly. Combine orange and black streamers on your wall and stack small white pumpkins at the base for contrast.

This setup makes the perfect DIY photo booth background. It’s inexpensive but creates a polished, party-ready vibe in minutes.

11. Spooky silhouette figures backlit in windows for a haunted house vibe

SAVE

Cut out life-sized shapes—witches, skeletons, monsters—using black paper. Tape them to your windows, and light from behind with a lamp. From outside, it looks like creatures are lurking inside.

It’s a simple yet dramatic decoration that neighbors and passersby will notice. Best part? It’s all done with paper and tape. Talk about budget-friendly impact.

12. Pumpkin cluster with battery candles for a cozy front porch scene

SAVE

Gather pumpkins of different sizes and colors, then cluster them together on your porch. Tuck battery candles in between them for a flickering glow at night.

This setup looks cozy, festive, and inviting. It’s perfect for fall in general, not just Halloween. You’ll get weeks of use from this simple but elegant idea.

13. DIY ghost garland strung across a mantle with mini pumpkins

SAVE

Make mini ghosts using tissues or fabric scraps stuffed with cotton. Tie each with string and draw tiny faces. String them together and drape across your mantle.

Add mini pumpkins along the top for extra charm. This garland feels playful and homemade, which makes it extra special. Kids will love helping with this one.

14. Halloween balloon bouquet featuring purple, orange, and black tones

SAVE

Cluster balloons in Halloween colors and anchor them in corners or at the snack table. It’s fast, inexpensive, and instantly sets the mood.

You can also tie small props—like fake spiders—to the balloon strings for a quirky touch. It’s a flexible decoration that adapts to any party setup.

15. Spider web table runner with mini cauldrons and potion jars

SAVE

Stretch fake spider webs down the center of your dining table. Place mini cauldrons filled with candy and DIY potion jars on top. The mix looks whimsical and eerie.

Guests will enjoy exploring the details. It’s part decoration, part conversation starter, and doubles as a candy station. Win-win.

16. Hanging ghost balloons with drawn faces floating in the hallway

SAVE

Blow up white balloons, drape fabric over them, and draw ghost faces. Hang them with clear string in your hallway so they “float” as people walk through.

It’s silly, spooky, and sure to get a reaction. The ghosts sway slightly as people pass, which adds to the creep factor.

17. Mason jars filled with fake eyeballs and green glowing lights

SAVE

Fill jars with peeled grapes or store-bought fake eyeballs. Drop green glow sticks inside, and you’ve got glowing jars of creepy “specimens.”

They’re fun to scatter on counters or tables. Everyone will cringe a little when they realize those grapes look eerily realistic. 🙂

18. “Trick or Treat” sign framed by bats and pumpkins at the door

SAVE

Create or print a sign that says “Trick or Treat.” Surround it with paper bats and mini pumpkins, then hang it by your entryway.

It’s clear, festive, and makes your front door look welcoming. Plus, it signals to kids that you’re handing out candy.

19. Creepy tree branch vase with paper bats attached for a dark bouquet

SAVE

Collect bare branches, spray paint them black, and place them in a vase. Tape paper bats onto the branches for a spooky bouquet.

It’s stylish, simple, and very budget-friendly. Place it on a side table for a striking Halloween accent.

20. Glowing jack-o’-lantern faces peeking from behind black mesh curtains

SAVE

Hang sheer black curtains in a doorway and set light-up pumpkins behind them. The glowing faces peek out from the shadows, creating a spine-tingling effect.

This decoration looks advanced but is incredibly simple. It transforms a doorway into a haunted focal point for your party.

21. Simple orange and black felt bunting strung above the dining area

SAVE

Cut orange and black felt into triangles, string them together, and hang above your dining space. It’s reusable and adds a festive pop of color.

Pair it with a simple table setup and you’ve got a coordinated Halloween dining area without spending big.

Conclusion

See? With these cheap & easy Halloween decorations, you don’t need to splurge to make your home spooky and festive. From floating ghosts to glowing pumpkins, each idea adds charm without draining your wallet. Pick a few, mix and match, and you’ll create a haunted vibe that guests (and trick-or-treaters) won’t forget.