Eco-friendly Halloween Decor

Celebrate the spooky season with natural and recycled materials.

There is something fun about pulling out that box of kitschy Halloween decor every year, but instead of adding the latest store-bought goods to your collection this season, look around the house for more sustainable inspiration. With a little imagination, you can create festive surroundings using materials offered from nature or found around the house. These are some really simple ideas to help you get started!

A festive Halloween tablescape using a few core pieces and mostly natural, repurposed and recycled materials.

DIY: Natural and Eco-friendly Halloween Decorations

• Nature’s Bounty. Autumn harvest provides us with an abundance of warm colors and textures, so why not support our local farmers by thinking beyond front porch decor this year? Pumpkins, gourds, flint corn, cinnamon sticks, corn stalks and straw bales can be incorporated into exterior window boxes, along fences, around lamp posts and mailboxes to elevate a home’s curb appeal. To enjoy these natural elements inside, style them into fireplace hearths, entryways and windowsills, taking care to avoid wet areas and protect surfaces. A classic and beautiful look without excessive waste.

A curated fall vignette incorporating a variety of colors, textures and shapes.

• Pine Cones and Acorns. Pine cones and acorns are some of the most versatile natural elements. They work in wreaths, floral arrangements, garlands and other home decor, and can last for many years. Get crafty while making use of the fallen pine cones and acorns collected around your area by painting them with acrylic paint for a simple fall centerpiece. 

This centerpiece sparks fun memories. The pine cones were a project done with my kids, and the acorns a project done with mother-in-law long before kids.

• Outdoor Floating Ghosts. Buying outdoor Halloween decorations from the store can cost a small fortune— and chances are they won’t last forever. When you want to add a little spooky whimsy to your yard, shop your linen closet or drawers. Old white bed sheets, pillowcases, sheer curtains or T-shirts can be repurposed to make outdoor floating ghosts. With the slightest breeze on a fall day, the airy movement of these friendly little ghosts radiates the Halloween spirit!

To Make: Cut repurposed fabric in square shape to the desired size of the ghost, fill with fabric scraps to make a head, wrapping with an elastic hairband or rubber band to secure in place. Using a black Sharpie or paint, add spooky faces by finding designs online or creating your own. Attach a paperclip with string or yarn to the top of the head for hanging.

• Shelf-top Ghosts. For another good use of repurposed white fabric—add a little haunt to interior bookshelves or side tables by making these frightfully cute miniature ghosts. Not only are they super easy to make, but the fabric can drape over existing decor without having to pack up non-seasonal items.

To Make: Repurposing any white fabric, cut a circle to the desired size and draw on a face toward the center of the fabric with black Sharpie marker. Secure over round shelf-top decor (like small vases) with a safety pin.

Small vases make a great base to drape these white fabric ghosts over.

• Napkin Rings. Instead of buying disposable paper napkins when hosting Halloween parties and get-together, dress up reusable cloth ones by making your own festive napkin rings. These were made using a recycled toilet paper roll cut into pieces and spray painted gold. A plastic spider was hot-glued on for a creepy-crawly effect.  

As you delight in the crisp autumn air, vivid fall colors and nostalgia and fun that comes with celebrating Halloween traditions, I hope you will also enjoy making some of your own holiday magic with these sustainable inspirations!

—Jill Span Hofbauer