10 last-minute DIY Halloween decor ideas – quick makes and easy styling tips to try right now

Halloween is just around the corner, and if you’re a fan of this spooktacular season then chances are you’ll already have your home decked out in frightfully fantastic Halloween decoration ideas.

However, for those that haven’t managed to decorate or indulge in some creepy crafty activities there’s still a bit of time to add some spooky styling touches to your home. Here we’ve rounded up a few easy makes and buys to get you in the spirit.

1. Create mini pumpkin candle holders

Mini pumpkin candle holders are easy to make and can be used to style all sorts of Halloween decor from Halloween mantelpiece ideas to spooky tablescape centerpieces.

These mini pumpkins can be easily picked up from supermarkets at this time of year and the candle holders are a low-cost DIY make which can be fun to do with kids. Here interior stylist and content creator Melanie Lissack used a corer to remove the pumpkin stem and create a holder for the candle, she then decorated them with paper bats. Check out the step-by-step on her blog.

2. Make a DIY pumpkin basket flower arrangement

This beautiful pumpkin basket floral arrangement filled with sunflowers and autumn leaves gives a subtle nod to Halloween decor whilst still being pretty and seasonal. Created by Stephanie LeBlanc at Celebrated Nest, the fall decor idea is easy to recreate – simply scoop out the inside of a pumpkin to use as a vessel for your autumnal flower arrangement.

3. Create an easy but impactful display with foliage

One of the most popular ways to decorate for spooky season is to create a styled Halloween mantelpiece display. There's no need to break the bank, using just a few simple pieces can make for an effective display. Here Melanie Lissack used an array of dried flowers and foliage alongside old books and draped black satin ribbon dotted with a few decorative ornaments.

'If you are having a Halloween party I think one key decorative focal point in the house tends to be better than a few items just dotted around the place which can easily be missed,' advises Melanie.

4. Decorate a doorway with moths and bats

For a subtle nod to Halloween why not decorate doorways with freaky flying flourishes?

These decorative iron moths from Terrain can be arranged around a doorway, mantelpiece or around a mirror for a whimsical display. Alternatively, if you have time, why not make your own DIY decorations by simply cutting out bat or moth, or even spider silhouettes from black card? Simply bend in the middle and apply to surfaces with adhesive pads. If using on painted walls be sure to choose adhesive pads that don’t take the paint off the wall such as command poster strips.

5. Decorate pumpkins with pressed flowers

Pumpkins decorated with pressed flowers and leaves offer a pretty take on Halloween decor that can be used to style mantelpieces, consoles, and dining tables. For a delicate, touch choose white pumpkins or squashes or, before decorating, paint them first in white or pastel tones.

‘I gave these delicate pumpkins a makeover with pressed ferns and flowers, they’re perfect for a cottage-core meets cozy fall vibe’, says Stephanie LeBlanc, floral designer, blogger and content creator at Celebrated Nest.

Once the paint is dry start decorating by brushing a layer of Mod Podge onto the area of the pumpkin where you want to create your design. Next, carefully place on your pressed flower arrangement and then follow with another layer of Mod Podge. Once dry, it’s ready for styling beautiful fall and Halloween vignettes. For best results mix different sizes and colors. For full instructions head to the Celebrated Nest blog.

6. Create a floating table centerpiece

Create a magical setting for Halloween and fall celebrations by suspending a floating centerpiece above the dining table. Forage for a sculptural branch and simply wind around a battery-operated, light-up fall garland to bring it to life. Hang securely from the ceiling using hooks and fishing wire.

Any leftover twigs from the branch can then be arranged in a vase and decorated with small hanging pumpkin ornaments to create a decorative centerpiece for your Halloween table decor or a forgotten corner.

7. Decorate your porch with light up ghosts

These light-up ghosts are a really fun, quick and easy Halloween porch decor idea. There are some great ghost outdoor lights available to buy, such as these from Pottery Barn, but for a super quick alternative simply draw ghostly expressions on old white sheets and place them over your outdoor lighting features or light up outdoor trees. You could even create the effect by hanging on outdoor lanterns or do a similar thing indoors with faux LED candles.

8. Embellish pumpkins

These iron bats on stakes are a great way to elevate your fall pumpkins, squashes, and gourds for Halloween, whether inside or outside.

You could also add them to mossed wreath rings for a spooky wreath idea. If you’re tight for time, for a similar idea, you could always cut spooky shapes from black card and attach them with pins.

9. Create a Halloween porch display with pumpkin planters

Carved Jack o'lanterns are a classic Halloween porch idea, but for a stylish porch or fall patio display which can be re-used year after year why not try some pumpkin ornaments or ceramic pumpkin planters ? Available in a series of sizes, these planters can be staggered over porch steps and filled with living plants or dried and can be used indoors, too.

10. Paint pumpkins with playful slogans

Painted slogan pumpkins are a fun Halloween craft project for kids and teenagers. They’re also a great way to celebrate Halloween while keeping decorations in keeping with your existing decor. Simply paint all over with your chosen base color, wait to dry, and then decorate with a slogan made using a chalk pen or acrylic paint pen.

Halloween may be just days away, but all of these DIY ideas can be done in just an evening and are perfect if you are hosting and need to up your decor. Shop your own home for things you can give a spooky makeover, get outside and forage for some fall foliage, and make the most of sales on spooky decor happening right now (the pro of being last minute is you can often save money on decor!).