21 Spooky DIY Halloween Garland Ideas
Halloween garlands are the perfect way to add instant spookiness to any space without breaking the bank. Whether you’re going for classic creepy vibes or a more whimsical Halloween feel, these garland ideas will help you deck out your home with style.
From simple paper crafts that kids can help with to more sophisticated vintage-inspired pieces, there’s something here for every Halloween enthusiast. Most of these can be made with basic craft supplies you probably already have at home.
1. Black Paper Bat Silhouettes on String
Cut various sizes of bat shapes from black construction paper or cardstock. The silhouettes look amazing when they’re different sizes – some tiny, some large, creating a realistic swarm effect. String them along black thread or fishing line, spacing them irregularly for a more natural look.
When hung across doorways or windows, they create dramatic shadows that dance on the walls. The simple black shapes work well in any room and give off serious Dracula vibes. You can even fold the wings slightly to make them more three-dimensional and lifelike.
2. Orange and Black Paper Pumpkin Chain
This garland brings instant autumn warmth with its cheerful orange pumpkins connected in a classic paper chain style. Cut pumpkin shapes from orange construction paper and link them together, alternating with black shapes for contrast.
The repetitive pattern creates a playful, almost retro feel that works great for family-friendly Halloween decorating. Hang it across mantels, doorways, or wrap it around banisters. The bright orange color adds a pop of seasonal joy, while the chain-link connection gives it a handmade, crafty charm that feels welcoming rather than scary.
3. Vintage Halloween Postcards Clipped to Twine
Hunt down reproduction vintage Halloween postcards featuring classic imagery like black cats, witches, and jack-o’-lanterns with that distinctive early 1900s art style. Clip them to natural jute twine with small wooden clothespins for an authentic vintage look.
The aged colors and old-fashioned illustrations create a nostalgic atmosphere that feels like you’re decorating a Victorian parlor. This garland works beautifully in kitchens, dining rooms, or any space where you want that antique charm. The postcards tell little Halloween stories and invite people to look closer at each image.
4. Felt Ghost Shapes Sewn Together
Soft white felt ghosts sewn together with black embroidery floss create a garland that’s both spooky and surprisingly cozy. Each ghost can have slightly different expressions – some friendly, some mischievous, some genuinely eerie.
The felt material gives them a plush, touchable quality that makes them less frightening for younger kids while still maintaining that classic Halloween spirit. The hand-sewn connection adds a homemade touch that store-bought decorations just can’t match. When light hits the felt, it creates gentle shadows that add to the ghostly atmosphere.
5. Mini Plastic Skulls
Small plastic skulls strung on nearly invisible fishing line create an unexpectedly elegant and spooky garland. The clear line makes the skulls appear to float mysteriously, which is incredibly effective in dim lighting. You can find mini skulls at dollar stores or craft shops, and threading them is surprisingly therapeutic.
The garland works great draped around doorframes or across dark corners where the floating effect is most dramatic. It’s minimal yet impactful – perfect for adults who want Halloween decor that’s sophisticated but still gives guests a little chill.
6. Orange Tissue Paper Pom Pom Garland
Fluffy orange tissue paper pom poms connected with string bring texture and warmth to Halloween decorating. The soft, cloud-like poms catch light beautifully and add a dimensional element that flat decorations can’t provide. Making them is almost meditative – folding, tying, and fluffing each one.
The orange color feels more autumn harvest than scary Halloween, making this garland perfect for those who prefer festive over frightening. It works wonderfully in living rooms or kitchens where you want seasonal cheer. The handmade poms have an organic, imperfect charm that feels genuine and welcoming.
7. Black Lace Doily Bunting
Vintage black lace doilies strung together create an unexpectedly gothic and elegant Halloween garland. The intricate lace patterns cast beautiful shadows on walls, especially when backlit. Hunt for doilies at thrift stores or craft shops – the mix of different patterns and sizes adds visual interest.
This garland feels like something you’d find in a Victorian mansion, with its sophisticated dark romance vibe. It’s perfect for adult Halloween parties where you want atmosphere without cartoon silliness. The delicate lace contrasts beautifully with the dark color, creating something both beautiful and slightly mysterious.
8. Paper Spider Cutouts with Yarn Web Details
Black paper spiders enhanced with gray or white yarn “webs” create a garland that’s both crafty and creepy. Cut spider silhouettes from black cardstock, then add yarn details by wrapping it around the legs or creating small web patterns. The addition of yarn gives the flat cutouts texture and makes them more visually interesting.
This garland is perfect for draping across doorways where people might walk through the “webs” – adding an interactive element to your Halloween decor. The combination of paper and yarn feels handmade and homey while still delivering genuine spider creepiness.
9. Miniature Potion Bottles on Cord
Small glass bottles filled with colored water, glitter, or herbs and connected with rustic cord create an enchanting witchy garland. Each bottle can contain different “potions” – green for poison, red for love spells, purple for magic. Add labels with spooky names written in old-fashioned script. The glass bottles catch and reflect light beautifully, creating an apothecary shop atmosphere.
This garland works especially well in kitchens or dining areas where the bottle theme feels at home. The miniature scale makes everything feel precious and mysterious, like you’ve stumbled into a fairy tale witch’s cottage.
10. Crescent Moon and Star Paper Chain
Cut crescent moons and stars from black or dark purple paper and link them together in a celestial chain. This garland evokes the magical nighttime atmosphere perfect for Halloween without being overtly spooky.
The moon and star motifs feel mystical and witchy in the best way. Vary the sizes of your cutouts to create visual rhythm along the chain. This works beautifully draped along windows or across dark walls where it creates a night sky effect. It’s sophisticated enough for adult spaces but whimsical enough that kids love it too.
11. Black Feather Boa Draped Garland
A luxurious black feather boa draped and secured with small clips creates instant drama and gothic glamour. The feathers move slightly with air currents, adding life and movement to your Halloween decor. This is probably the easiest garland on the list – just buy a boa and hang it artfully.
It feels like something from a 1920s speakeasy or a Victorian mourning parlor. The texture contrast of soft feathers against hard surfaces creates visual interest. This garland is perfect for mantels, doorways, or anywhere you want to add a touch of dark elegance without any craft time required.
12. Orange and Purple Fabric Scrap Bunting
Triangular fabric scraps in Halloween colors sewn onto bias tape create a rustic, homey bunting that feels like autumn comfort. Mix different textures – corduroy, flannel, cotton prints – for visual interest. The fabric flags flutter gently and catch light differently than paper, creating a cozy cottage feel.
This garland is perfect for kitchens, dining rooms, or anywhere you want Halloween decor that feels warm rather than scary. The handmade quality and soft materials make it approachable for families. Each fabric choice tells a little story and adds personality to your Halloween decorating scheme.
13. Witch Hat Silhouettes
Classic pointed witch hats cut from black paper and strung together create an instantly recognizable Halloween garland. Vary the sizes and add small details like buckles or stars cut from metallic paper for extra magic. The simple silhouette is iconic and works in any Halloween decorating scheme.
These hats cast great shadows on walls and create that classic witchy atmosphere everyone recognizes. String them along black thread for an almost invisible connection, or use orange string for contrast. This garland is perfect for parties where you want obvious Halloween vibes without being too scary for mixed ages.
14. Mini Pumpkin and Gourd Natural Garland
Thread small real pumpkins and gourds onto sturdy rope or twine for a garland that brings actual autumn harvest vibes indoors. The natural variations in color, texture, and shape make each garland unique. Real gourds have a substantial weight and presence that artificial decorations can’t match.
This garland smells like autumn and feels authentic in a way that connects you to the season’s agricultural roots. It works beautifully in kitchens, dining rooms, or porches where the natural elements feel at home. The organic shapes and real textures create a sophisticated, grown-up Halloween look.
15. Black Paper Cat Cutouts with Glowing Eyes
Black cat silhouettes with small LED lights or reflective tape for glowing eyes create a garland that’s spooky in the dark but charming in daylight. Cut various cat poses – arching backs, sitting tall, prowling low – for visual variety. The glowing eyes add an element of surprise and genuine spookiness when lights are dimmed.
This garland captures that classic Halloween black cat superstition while still being playful enough for family decorating. Position it where people will encounter those glowing eyes unexpectedly for maximum impact. During the day, it’s simply a cute cat-themed decoration.
16. Vintage Halloween Book Pages Folded into Shapes
Old Halloween storybook pages folded into bats, pumpkins, or ghosts create a literary-themed garland perfect for book lovers. The aged paper and vintage text add authenticity and character that new materials can’t provide. Each folded shape carries fragments of Halloween stories, making the garland itself tell tales.
This works beautifully in reading nooks, libraries, or anywhere books feel at home. The text creates interesting patterns and the aged paper colors – yellows, creams, browns – add warmth. It’s intellectual Halloween decor that celebrates the literary tradition of ghost stories and autumn tales.
17. Orange Burlap Pennant Flags
Rustic orange burlap cut into pennant shapes and sewn onto rope creates a garland with serious autumn farmhouse vibes. The rough texture of burlap adds tactile interest and the orange color captures that perfect pumpkin patch feeling. Each flag can be left plain or stenciled with Halloween words or images.
Burlap has natural variations and imperfections that make handmade decorations feel authentic. This garland works especially well in kitchens, dining rooms, or porches where the rustic material feels appropriate. The pennant shape is classic and timeless, while the burlap keeps it feeling grounded and natural.
18. Mini Skull Chain
Paper skull garland that’s both macabre and oddly charming. The dimensional head cast interesting shadows and move slightly when air currents hit them.
This garland definitely leans toward the spookier end of Halloween decorating, making it perfect for adults who want their Halloween decor to have genuine creep factor. Position it where people might brush against it accidentally for an unexpected tactile surprise.
19. Paper Candy Corn Triangles Strung Together
Yellow, orange, and white triangles arranged to look like candy corn and strung together create a garland that’s pure Halloween nostalgia. Each “candy corn” is made from three triangles in the classic color pattern. This garland is sweet rather than spooky, perfect for family-friendly Halloween decorating or anywhere you want obvious seasonal themes without scary elements.
The bright colors are cheerful and the candy theme is universally appealing. Kids especially love this garland because it reminds them of trick-or-treating and Halloween treats. It works great in kitchens, playrooms, or anywhere you want happy Halloween vibes.
20. Spiderweb Doilies Connected with Black Ribbon
White or gray crocheted doilies that look like spiderwebs connected with black satin ribbon create an elegant gothic garland. The intricate patterns of the doilies really do resemble spider webs, especially when backlit.
Hunt for vintage doilies at thrift stores or buy new ones from craft shops. The black ribbon provides stark contrast and gives the garland structure. This decoration manages to be both beautiful and creepy – the domestic craft of doilies made spooky through context and presentation. It’s sophisticated Halloween decor that works well in formal spaces.
21. Orange Maple Leaves
Real autumn leaves enhanced with black paint splatters create a garland that celebrates natural fall beauty while adding Halloween drama. Collect fallen maple leaves in various shades of orange and red, then add random black paint splatters for a gothic twist. The real leaves bring authentic autumn texture and the paint adds an artistic, slightly sinister element.
This garland bridges the gap between fall harvest decorating and Halloween spookiness. The natural materials feel sophisticated while the paint treatment adds just enough darkness to signal Halloween rather than just generic autumn.