Decorating for a Halloween party or just Halloween itself can be as extravagant or as simple as you’d like. There really are only two things to consider: what you want and what you can afford. And that second one can be worked around.

Let’s say you want to keep things simple. There are plenty of good decorating ideas that can be used when you don’t feel like going all out.

  • Jack O’Lanterns are standard and not terribly difficult.
  • A few vases full of dead flowers or fake black roses sets a creepy mood.
  • Candles, candles, candles!
  • Fake spider webbing can look really great when applied sparingly. It’s cheap and effective!
  • A plain black witch’s hat with a ring of dead flowers around it can serve as a decent table centerpiece.

If, however, you’re really in the Halloween spirit and ready to let loose, you may want to give these ideas some thought.

  • Pick a theme and go wild. Classic monsters, creepy crawlies, invaders from space, black cats, pumpkins, all can be bases from which to build.
  • Everyone loves a graveyard at Halloween and you can be pretty creative when it comes to these cities of the dead. Check out The Yard Haunter for some great tips and ideas.
  • Places like Fright Catalog, The Horror Dome, and Fright Props have professional level props which are fun to look at even if buying is out of the question. Unless you happen to have $20,000 in your Halloween budget this year. I always did want my own scary ride…
  • Why not turn your living room into a haunted castle or a spooky forest? It’s easier than you think with scene setters. Check out these Halloween Scene Setters.
  • Fake blood is always a crowd pleaser. You might want to save it for outside decorations unless you’re sure that anything it may touch inside is okay to get stained. It’s available at most places that also sell makeup and costumes. I like buying fake blood instead of making it (although corn syrup, a little water, and some red food coloring will do a nice job) because it comes in a nice bottle and it’s the perfect shade.
  • Coffins are extremely thematic and just look cool (in a creepy way!). You can find some cardboard life size coffins in stores around Halloween but they don’t last very long. If you’re good with tools (or know someone who is) why not make your own? Check out this site for a coffin-making how-to.

Props
Alarming Products has some reasonably priced props.
Scary Guys is a cool how-to site.
Uncialle's Halloween Darksite has decorating ideas and some pretty neat how-to’s.