Halloween is just around the corner, and I’ve dug up some wickedly cool outdoor decoration ideas.
From DIY monster wreaths to levitating ghosts, I’ve found spooky projects for every skill level.
Want to turn heads? How about a hearse pulled by a skeleton horse? Or maybe you’d prefer a coven of witches dancing around a misty cauldron? I’ve gathered ideas that range from simple and cheap to jaw-droppingly awesome.
So whether you’re aiming for subtle charm or full-on horror, get ready to transform your home into the creepiest house on the block.
Spooky Door Mat
Transform your plain doormat into a spooky Halloween decor piece with a DIY Skull and Crossbones design.
This simple project requires minimal materials and adds a festive touch to your doorstep.
Whether you’re welcoming trick-or-treaters or just want to embrace the eerie season, this custom doormat will do the trick.
Materials Needed:
- A plain coir doormat
- Black spray paint
- Masking tape
- Stencils of a skull and crossbones, bats, and spiders (optional)
- Drop cloth or newspaper to protect your workspace
Instructions:
To begin, prepare your work area by laying down a drop cloth or newspaper to protect the surface from paint spills.
Next, plan your design by deciding where you’d like to place the skull and crossbones, bats, and spiders on the doormat.
You can use stencils for precise placement or freehand the design for a more artistic effect.
If you’re using stencils, secure them firmly to the doormat with masking tape.
Then, apply a light base coat of black spray paint over the entire doormat and let it dry completely.
Once dry, add the details by applying a second coat of black paint over the skull and crossbones stencil, or carefully outlining and filling in the design if you’re freehanding (Repeat this process for the bats and spiders).
After the paint is fully dry, carefully remove the stencils and allow the doormat to dry completely before putting it to use.
Orange And Black Themed Spooky Porch
Start by gathering your supplies i.e. black and orange decorations, pumpkins, ghost or skeleton figures, and a wreath.
For an extra eerie touch, consider painting your front door black.
Once that’s done, hang an orange or black wreath on the door to set the Halloween mood.
Next, arrange pumpkins of various sizes on your porch, adding carved faces or spooky messages to give them character.
Place ghost or skeleton figures around your porch i.e. on the railing, or even hanging from trees in order to amplify the haunted vibe.
Add other Halloween-themed decorations like spiderwebs, bats, or creepy crawly insects to enhance the scene.
To complete the look, if possible use string lights or lanterns to create a warm, inviting glow that beckons visitors.
For a personal touch, try making your own ghost decorations from white sheets or carve your pumpkins with spooky designs.
Halloween Monster Wreath
Image Credit: apieceofrainbow.com
Transform your Halloween decor with this delightful DIY Monster Halloween wreath inspired by the Cookie Monster.
Using recycled magazine paper and cardstock, this craft is perfect for kids and adds a playful touch to your outdoor decorations.
Start with an artificial boxwood wreath as your base – though it’s an initial investment, it’s versatile for seasonal decorations year-round.
For the monster’s eyes, cut circles from white cardstock and magazine paper, then glue them together.
Create fun, spooky teeth by folding cardstock and attaching them with duct tape for extra hold.
Don’t forget the stylish bow tie, made from magazine pages, to give your monster a charming flair.
For a step-by-step guide and detailed instructions, check out the full tutorial here.
Halloween Themed Spooky Witches
Image Credit: cravingsomecreativity.com
Imagine a circle of glowing, life-sized witches with eerie, illuminated heads, dancing around a cauldron filled with skulls and mist.
Crafted with simple materials like PVC pipes, mesh fabric, and plastic pumpkin heads, these witches are both cost-effective and incredibly realistic.
What’s more, they’re designed to withstand the elements and are easy to store after the spooky season.
The best part? They don’t require any sewing, and you can adjust them to fit your space perfectly.
Whether you’re on hilly terrain or a flat lawn, these witches will stand tall, spreading Halloween chills throughout your neighborhood.
To make things even more convenient, use battery-operated string lights with timers for those glowing heads.
For a full step-by-step instructions and tips on creating these bewitching figures, check out the full tutorial here.
Super Spooky Climbing Skeletons
Image Credit: instructables.com
These Climbing Halloween Skeletons are the perfect blend of eerie and eye-catching.
Using a basic, budget-friendly blow mold skeleton, this project takes the usual lawn ornament to new heights, literally!
By reinforcing the skeleton’s joints with wire instead of glue, you can make these spooky climbers sturdy enough to hold onto window shutters, gutters, or trees.
The result? A creepy scene that will have your neighbors doing double-takes as they drive by.
Plus, with a few tweaks, like using black-coated wire, you can enhance durability and avoid any unwanted wear and tear.
Want to create your own set of climbing ghouls? Head over to the full tutorial at Instructables for all the details and tips on making these skeletons the highlight of your haunted house this Halloween.
Spooky Ghost That Levitates
Image Credit: hgtv.com
Looking to create a hauntingly impressive Halloween display? A life-size ghost might just be the perfect addition to your outdoor decor.
This DIY project makes use of simple materials like cheesecloth and foam balls into a ghostly figure that can float ominously in your yard or on your porch.
The secret to its spooky success lies in its framework i.e. a combination of a paint roller extension pole and yardsticks gives this ghost a sturdy structure.
To create that eerie, floating effect, cheesecloth is carefully draped over the frame, with liquid starch ensuring the ghost’s head and arms hold their shape while the rest of the fabric billows in the wind.
With a little creativity, this ghost will surely send chills down the spines of your visitors.
For a step-by-step guide and pro tips on assembling this spooky specter, head over to HGTV’s full tutorial.
Graveyard Ghoul
Image Credit: Pat Pilon via Flickr
Thus Halloween theme decor makes use of numerous tombstones with eerie inscriptions scattered throughout the yard, surrounded by a wrought iron fence.
A towering skeleton figure with bat wings stands ominously above the graveyard, adding to the chilling atmosphere.
Plus, the fallen leaves and fake cobwebs further enhance the haunted look.
To replicate this design, start by gathering tombstones, a wrought iron fence, and a skeleton figure.
Place the tombstones randomly throughout your yard, adding fake leaves and cobwebs for a more realistic effect.
Install the wrought iron fence to enclose the graveyard area.
Finally, position the skeleton figure prominently above the tombstones.
For extra spookiness, consider adding fog machines or eerie lighting.
It’s easier said than done as this decor will take a lot of time so plan the decor well in advance.
Skeleton Express
Image Credit: SurFeRGiRL30 via Flickr
In this unique outdoor decor, the hearse is adorned with a skeleton figure and a red cloth draped over the coffin inside.
A heavy chain is attached to the hearse, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
To replicate this design, start by finding or building a hearse-like structure (Easier said than done, it can be complex so check with local fabrication or carpenters who can get this done for you).
Add a skeleton figure to the top and drape a red cloth over the inside followed by attaching a chain to the front.
For the skeleton horse, you can use a fake horse skeleton or create one using PVC pipes and fabric.
Place the hearse and horse in a prominent spot in your yard and for extra spookiness, consider adding fog machines or eerie lighting.
Witch’s Welcome
Image Credit: @raisingourwildthings Via Instagram
If you look at the above outdoor decor you’ll see that the porch is adorned with witch hats hanging from the ceiling, corn stalks flanking the entrance, and pumpkins and gourds scattered throughout.
To replicate this design, start by gathering witch hats, corn stalks, pumpkins, and gourds.
Hang the witch hats from the ceiling or porch overhang.
Place the corn stalks on either side of the entrance and arrange the pumpkins and gourds on the porch steps or in planters.
Next, add a welcome mat with a Halloween-themed message and for extra charm, consider adding fairy lights or a spooky wreath.
Modern Witch’s Welcome
Image Credit: @sbkliving Via Instagram
This outdoor decor setup is kind of simple when compared to other projects above. In fact, if we can take care of the wreath, the remaining decorations are doable.
If you see above, you’ll find that this decor has as black door adorned with a beautiful wreath featuring eucalyptus and flowers.
A welcome sign and a broom lean against the wall, while pumpkins and a “Hello Fall” doormat complete the festive look.
To replicate this design, start by painting your existing door black (optional).
Create or purchase a similar wreath with eucalyptus and flowers and add a “Welcome” sign and a broom to the side.
Next, place pumpkins on the porch steps or in planters and finally, add a “Hello Fall” doormat to complete the look.
For extra elegance, consider adding fairy lights or a black and white striped rug.
Skeleton Walkers
Image Credit: Pinterest
This outdoor halloween decor features humorous and spooky skeletons walking their pets.
Two skeleton figures are holding leashes attached to small skeleton dogs and a large rat and a tarantula are also included in the scene.
While this decor looks simple at first it may require some time and patience to get this decor idea replicated.
To replicate this design, start by gathering skeleton figures, leashes, and small skeleton pets.
Place the skeletons in your yard and attach the leashes to the pets.
Arrange the animals around the skeletons as if they were on a walk.
Final Thoughts
From my experience, the key to creating an unforgettable Halloween display is variety and creativity.
I particularly love the spooky door mat as it’s an easy project that makes a big impact.
The life-sized witches are a personal favorite, they’re sure to be the talk of the neighborhood.
For those on a budget, I highly recommend the climbing skeletons as they’re cost-effective yet incredibly eye-catching.
If you’re feeling ambitious, the skeleton express is a showstopper, though it requires more effort.
So, whether you prefer cute and whimsical or dark and terrifying, there’s an idea here for everyone.
