Every October, ghosts start appearing around our home. Not the scary kind, but the cute, handmade kind that brings a touch of whimsy to every corner. From shelves and hutches to coffee bars and mantels, a little ghost decor adds that perfect mix of cozy and spooky.
DIY Ghost Decoration Ideas
If you’re searching for DIY ghost decoration ideas that are simple, affordable, and full of charm, here are seven of my favorite Halloween ghost decorations to craft this season.
1. Air Dry Clay Ghosts
These air dry clay ghosts might be the most fun I’ve ever made. Each one has its own personality, with little ripples and folds that make them look like they’re floating.
I made small, medium, and large ghosts, the biggest about four inches tall, and they look darling scattered across my hutch or bookcase.
For a magical touch, tuck a battery-powered tea light inside. The glowing ghost decorations light up at night and create the sweetest warm glow.
You can find my full tutorial here: DIY Air Dry Clay Ghosts
2. Standing Sheet Ghost
If you want a classic Halloween ghost that stands tall, try making this easy DIY sheet ghost using things you might already have around the house.
We used an old Victorian lamp and a tiny baby doll chair to build the frame, the perfect height to give our ghost some personality. Then, we draped an old sheet over the top and added a simple ghost face.
It’s a charming take on a traditional Halloween ghost decoration, and I love how it greets guests from the mantel hearth. This project proves that you can create something magical without spending a dime, true budget-friendly Halloween decor at its best.
You can find the full tutorial here: DIY Sheet Ghost Halloween Decoration
3. Dollar Tree Sitting Cheesecloth Ghost
For a softer, vintage look, the cheesecloth ghost is another favorite. Instead of standing tall, this little ghost sits comfortably, perfect for styling on a shelf or tabletop.
We made ours using a plunger from the Dollar Tree and a clear plastic bowl, then draped layers of cheesecloth over it to give it that delicate, aged texture. The result is a cute ghost decoration that looks like it drifted right out of an old storybook.
If you add these battery-powered lights under the ghost, the cheesecloth takes on a beautiful glow, making it one of my favorite glowing ghost decorations for the season.
You can see how we made both styles, the sheet ghost and the Dollar Tree ghost DIY, in the same post: DIY Sheet Ghost Halloween Decoration
4. DIY Ghost Cloche Decoration
If you’ve made my air dry clay ghosts, here’s a cozy way to display them. Place a ghost under a glass cloche. You can thrift one, make your own from a jar turned upside down, or find one at Hobby Lobby in the doll section.
Layer in a few pages from an old book or a tuft of moss underneath, then place a flickering light behind it. The ghost cloche instantly turns into a glowing ghost decoration that feels both spooky and elegant.
5. DIY Book Page Ghost Garland Printable
This ghost garland printable is one of my favorites because it combines two things I love: books and vintage paper.
I printed the ghosts and strung them across the top of my bookcase, but they’d look charming in a cozy book nook, too. Add fairy lights for mini jack-o'-lanterns, as I have done here, and you'll create a warm and cozy decoration.
You can grab the printable in my Etsy shop: DIY Book Page Ghost Garland Printable
6. Pumpkin Lover Ghost Garland Printable
For a little whimsy, the Pumpkin Lover Ghost Garland Printable adds cheerful personality to any space. One year I hung mine above our mini coffee bar, but last year I added it to my hutch and it makes me smile every morning.
It’s a fun Halloween ghost decoration that instantly warms up your kitchen or dining space. You can find the printable here: Pumpkin Lover Ghost Garland Printable
And if you’d like to create your own little coffee corner, check out my post on How to Make a Mini Coffee Bar.
7. How to Paint a Ghost
This project was extra special because my daughter Hannah joined me. We used vintage printable art from my Etsy shop as the background and painted simple white ghosts over it.
It’s an easy and relaxing craft, the perfect easy ghost craft for a fall afternoon. You can use any of my vintage art printables to make your own, or purchase the ones we painted in my shop.
Here’s the full tutorial: How to Paint a Ghost
If you love hand-painted ghosts, you’ll adore this one that Hannah created, which we sell as a printable in our Etsy shop. It’s one of my personal favorites.
This sweet, hand-painted ghost printable reminds me of a scene from My Neighbor Totoro, where Totoro and the little girl stand together under an umbrella beside an old lamppost.
You can grab the printable in my Etsy shop: Hand Painted Halloween Ghosts
8. DIY Decoupage Printable Ghost Art
If you love adding handmade touches to your fall decor, this DIY decoupage Halloween art is such a fun and easy project.
My newest Halloween printable design features a sweet silhouette of children trick-or-treating all dressed as classic characters. One wears a ghost costume, another carries a jack-o’-lantern on his head, and a few more are dressed as witches.
It’s one of my favorite pieces this season because it captures that nostalgic, storybook feeling of Halloween night. You can print this design or choose another from my Halloween category in my Etsy shop, then follow my step-by-step instructions on how to give it a brush-painted look with decoupage.
This Halloween DIY is simple yet makes a significant impact, the perfect way to transform ordinary paper art into charming, handmade Halloween house decorations.
Take a peek at the full tutorial here: How to Decoupage Art
9. Sherpa Ghost
Saving the best for last! This year, I hopped on the Pottery Barn-inspired sherpa ghost trend and made a few of my own. Aren’t these warm, cuddly little ghosts just the cutest?
This project couldn’t be easier! I made both ghosts in under an hour. They’re adorable as decorations, just not quite cozy enough for a pillow.
To add a bit of extra Halloween charm, I dressed this cozy ghost in one of my printable witch hats and tied on a sweet gingham bow. If you’d like to make your own, check out my DIY Sherpa Ghost Pottery Barn Dupe for the full step-by-step tutorial.
A few fun places to decorate with them are your living room, bedroom, or even a cozy little book nook. Wouldn’t that be adorable?
Final Thoughts
From air dry clay ghosts that glow on a hutch to ghost garlands that dance across a coffee bar, these DIY ghost decoration ideas add a sweet, handmade touch to your Halloween decor ideas.
They’re easy to make, budget-friendly, and perfect for creating that cozy Halloween home feel we all love.
Which one will you try first? Please share your thoughts in the comments, and for more handmade Halloween decorations, explore my other fall decorating ideas on the blog.
Happy Decorating!
