22 Oct Upcycle These 10 Household Items into Sustainable, Sophisticated Halloween Decorations

Because we know you want to nail that “upscale spooky” vibe, no googly eyes required…

Halloween is only a week away, which means it’s time to kick our celebratory efforts into high gear. Fortunately, we’re making the task easier (and zero-waste). Here, we’ve provided a list of 10 common household items you can easily transform into sustainable, sophisticated Halloween decorations.

These options are 100% DIY, easy on your budget, and totally earth-friendly. Just grab any of these on-hand items to create quick and easy, sophisticated decor that will bring a ghoulish grin to anyone’s face: 

1. SHEETS

Create ghosts, mummies, or layered tablescapes by repurposing a set of old sheets. Then, after October 31st, simply set aside for next year!

2. PUMPKINS

Everyone’s favorite carving fruit is a spooky decoration + a delightful snack rolled into one. For a sweet and savory hors d’oeuvre, simply dry out the seeds, layer onto a cookie sheet, and sprinkle with brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Then, roast in the oven at around 325 for 20-30 minutes for a crunchy, autumnal feast.

3. YARN

Fashion a giant yarn spiderweb anywhere, anytime. Learn how in this HGTV tutorial.

4. CARDBOARD

Turn your yard into a hallowed resting ground by crafting tombstones from old cardboard cereal boxes. This is also a great way to repurpose those Amazon delivery boxes still stacked up in your hallway closet.

5. MILK JUGS

Guide party-goers and trick-or-treaters by lining your walkway with eerie skull lanterns.

6. PICTURE FRAMES

Cover black-and-white family photos with spooky pumpkin heads a la Ichabod Crane or frame crinkled pages from old anatomy books for an instant “mad scientist” vibe.

7. FLOWER VASES

Fill clear or tinted glass jars with feathers, sand, dirt, moss, and other witch-worthy keepsakes.

8. APPLES

Tie festive ribbon around these edible ornaments or use a sharpie to decorate with be-“witch”-ing spells.

9. CHEESECLOTH

The ideal material for crafting spiderwebs and eerie floating ghosts.

10. STICKS + YARN or TWINE

Because no Halloween scene is complete without a witch’s broomstick!

Wow your friends and neighbors (while helping to reduce the scary amount of holiday waste) by creating more sustainable, sophisticated Halloween decorations.

Find more inspiration at Inhabitat.com. Learn more ways to reduce everyday waste in our recent post: “5 Ways to Be Plastic-Free in Your Everyday Life.”