20+ upcycled Halloween decor ideas to turn trash into treasure; including spooky thrift store Halloween makeovers and creative spooky decor made from trash!
Cheap Halloween decor is easy to find at any store once fall hits, but most of it is made from cheap plastic and doesn’t have much personality. I had so much fun making this list of tutorials and inspiration to make more creative Halloween decor from dated thrift store materials, old toys, or plain old trash. If I missed any of your favorite ideas, please leave a comment and I’ll be happy to add them!
I tried one of the ones below, what do you think! It’s so much fun to try and thrift mundane things that can be turned spooky.
Halloween crafts are the perfect time to bust out all the shiny, spooky, over the top paints and supplies that don’t “fit your aesthetic” year round. If your thrift stores are few and far between, try posting in a local reddit, Buy Nothing group, or Nextdoor chat and ask for knickknack donations that folks are done with. I bet you’ll be surprised at all the goodies you end up with, just ready to be spooky-fied!
If you like this post, check out these while you’re here!
- 40+ ways to upcycle sweaters into something new
- 20+ Halloween hand embroidery designs
- 15+ modern halloween cross stitch patterns
- 25+ upcycle sewing tutorials that make great gifts
Pin this list of 20+ upcycled Halloween decor ideas for later using this collage pin or link; please don’t pin any individual images unless you click through to the original website!
20+ upcycled Halloween decor ideas
I had so much fun "spooky-fying" this boring floral photo, click through to see what products I used to do it. I had so much fun with this one! A simple doll head makeover for a creepy planter at Halloween or any time. Another seasonal idea that's super popular on tiktok- paint in some ghosts or other fall creatures! Angie Wilson turned a traditional play barn into the spookiest farm around town! Picture shared with permission, follow her on instagram to see more creativity! See how to turn wine corks into cute little Halloween figurines for decoration or playing! [2024 note - this site seems to have been shut down but leaving up the photo for inspiration!] Turn thrifted dolls into creepy decorations, this would be fun with old stuffed animals too! Christmas-y cookie jars are easy to find, see how to make one over spooky style! Plain glass bottles are easy to come by, adding some spray paint turns them into something chic with this easy upcycle tutorial. This is SO creative and I'll be on the look out from some brassy old clocks to do this one myself, turning them into creepy cloches! Turn empty bottles into festive decor with some paint and christmas lights! This is super simple but would be fun for outside, a ghost-ie windsock from an old can. Function outdoor decor turns old coolers into the perfect candy holders! I love the simplicity of these spooky-fied figurines, they look so cool!! These are simple but so stunning when painted, I want this set on my mantle! This is so clever, I love it, turn old pill bottles into spooky mantle decor. Nat Black turned a cutesy dollhouse into this creepy mansion, perfect for Halloween! Photo shared with permission. See more of their creativity on Instagram here! This is so clever, turning an old headboard into a cemetary sign for large-scale spooky yard decorations! Photo shared with permission from Marcie Y. and the link goes to a similar idea on Pinterest. It's easy to find old-fashioned floral teapots, turn them into something scary intead! Turn a plain old book into an upcycled spell book!Halloween Upcycles
Not pictured:
- Scary-fied porcelain dolls turned into zombie dolls, at Instructables.
- DIY apothecary jars from old jars & candlesticks, at Design DNA.
- Clever 3-D ghost book display from BHG.
- A super creepy painting makeover, love the 3D elements, by Maxwell Mitchell on facebook.
- The sweetest little figurine makeover, a Halloween gathering girl, by @oldholidayeve on instagram.
- A life-size playhouse turned into a spooky house by Tiffany’s Creations.
- A full dollhouse makeover tutorial at The Homespun Hydrangea.
- A figurine “skeleton-ized” by CJ Hughes on instagram.
- Turning old lampshades into adorable outdoor ghosts, from Redeux Style on instagram.
Susan P
Friday 21st of October 2022
I love your ideas..........except please tell me that was not a real Hummel figurine that you painted black!!
Stephanie - Swoodson Says
Friday 2nd of December 2022
ah haha someone commented this on instagram - I promise it was not! I can't remember the brand but it was marked and like $10 on ebay, nothing precious I promise. I always check with stuff like that!!
Aunt Kelley
Wednesday 13th of October 2021
Lots of great ideas! Love the upcycled theme especially the dollhouses.