Homemade decorations can look just as good as shop-bought, for a fraction of the cost. These DIY ideas use paper, jars and a few lights to set the mood.
Paper bats and silhouettes
Cut bat shapes from black paper or card and cluster them up a wall or across a window. A few in flight look far better than a neat row.
Jam-jar lanterns
Clean jars, a little tissue paper and a battery tealight make warm lanterns for a windowsill or path. Add a painted face for a pumpkin-jar effect.
Painted pumpkins
No carving needed: paint pumpkins matte black or white for a modern look that lasts longer than a carved one. Group three at different sizes.
Finish with warm light
Battery candles and string lights do the heavy lifting. A warm, low glow turns a few simple pieces into a proper display.
Battery tealights and string lights
Frequently asked questions
How do I decorate cheaply? Make paper bats and jar lanterns, then add warm battery lights. Lighting matters more than the number of props.
Do I have to carve pumpkins? No. Painted pumpkins look great and last longer.
For ready-made pieces, see our Halloween decorations or more Halloween guides.
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Related guides: budget halloween party decorations, best halloween decorations and pumpkin carving for beginners. Halloween decorations.
Curated by Halloween Kingdom, updated July 2026. We hand-pick costume ideas and the kit to recreate them. Meet Halloween Kingdom.
