9 Dollar Tree Halloween DIYs That Look Expensive

Halloween’s practically here, and let me guess – you want your room to look like you hired a fancy decorator, but your wallet screams “absolutely not”? Yes, I feel. The good news? Dollar tree is literally a gold mine for cunning people who refuse to pay $ 40 for a plastic pumpkin that ends up in storage by November 1st.

I’ve been up to Dollar Tree for many years now, and honestly, some of my best Halloween decorations came from there. People always ask where I have things, and when I tell them it costs $ 10 in total, the jaws fall. It is the mood we go for here – maximum impact, minimum costs. Let’s get into these 9 DIYs that make everyone think you’ve used more than you actually did.

1. Glam Metallic Pumpkins

Okay, then dollar tree sells these basic orange plastic pumpkins, right? They are fine, but they are … basically. Here’s what you do: Take some of these pumpkins and some metallic spray paint (also from the dollar tree, if you’re lucky, or take it from any craft shop for a few dollars).

Here’s the process:

• Remove any stickers or labels from the pumpkins
• Give them a light sanding if they’re too glossy
• Spray them with gold, copper, or rose gold paint
• Let them dry completely (patience is key here, people)

The transformation is honestly ridiculous. You go from “Yes, I have this on the dollar tree” to “Omg, is it from Homegoods?” Fyi, you can also add some texture by dipping on paint with a sponge for the hammered metal look. Stack a few different sizes together, and boom – you have a centerpiece that looks like it costs $ 50+.

2. Spooky Apothecary Jars

Have you ever noticed how the vintage pharmacy glasses cost a small fortune? Yes, we don’t. Instead, you can go to the dollar tree and take some glass jars or vases – literally all clear glass containers work.

Print some scary labels (Google “Free Pharmacy Tags” and you will find tons) or write them yourself. We talk things like “Eye of Newt”, “Dragon Scales”, “Witch’s Brew” – you know, the classics. Fill the glasses with random things you probably already have:

• Black beans (look like beetle wings)
• Pasta (dried rigatoni = bone fragments, apparently)
• Colored water with food coloring
• Small plastic toys or trinkets

Turn on your labels, maybe add some cheese cloth or yarn around the lid, and you have a whole NIF shelf situation. The best part? People get weird to try to find out what is actually in the glasses. : 🙂

Dollar tree has these usual candles in glass that is … okay. But with black spray paint? They are sophisticated Halloween decor that looks straight out of a haunted mansion.

Quick comparison of finishes:

Finish Type	Vibe	Best For
Matte Black	Modern, elegant	Contemporary spaces
Glossy Black	Gothic, dramatic	Traditional Halloween looks
Textured Black	Vintage, aged	Rustic or antique themes

Grab some black tapered candles (dollar tree they too), and you created an atmosphere. Group them in odd numbers – three or five – because it’s just design 101. Add some Spanish moss or fake spider net around the base, and honestly, you win.

4. Wreath That Doesn’t Look Cheap

Real talk: Dollar Tree Wreaths can look … rough. But here’s the secret-you don’t use what it is. You use it as a base and cover it with better things.

Buy a foam or vine wreath base, then layer it with:

• Black feathers (Dollar Tree usually has these)
• Plastic ravens or crows
• Ribbon in Halloween colors
• Small decorative picks or florals

The trick is to put everything fixed so you can no longer see the base. Hot glue is your best friend here. I made one last year that people swore came from ceramics. It didn’t. It cost $ 7.

5. Faux Mercury Glass Decorations

Mercury glass has a moment, but have you seen the prices? No thanks. Dollar tree sells clear glass decorations, vases and votives that you can transform with a simple technique.

Mix water and white vinegar (about 50/50), pour it into a spray bottle, and easily fog the inside of the glass piece. Then spray the inside with mirror effect or metallic spray paint. The water creates the unhappy, antique look that mercury glass has. Let it dry, and suddenly you have expensive Halloween decor.

Pro Tip: Use silver or gold for a classic look, or go with copper for something slightly different. These look amazing with tea lights inside.

6. Creepy Potion Bottles

Similar to the pharmacy jars, but with a different mood. Take different bottles from dollar tree – think of different shapes and sizes. Remove all labels (sometimes you need goo gone for the Ronstborn).

Make them look aged and creepy:

• Paint them with black or dark purple acrylic paint, then wipe some off for a weathered look
• Add creepy labels or use a label maker for that authentic “poison” vibe
• Fill with colored water, glitter, or small Halloween trinkets
• Seal the lids with hot glue and add some wax drips for extra effect

Arrange them on a tray or shelf and you have immediate nifs vibes. Have you ever wondered why bottles just look scary when they are old and dusty? Me too, but hey, it works.

7. Floating Candles (Harry Potter Style)

Okay, this one’s fun. You need:

• Battery-operated tea lights (Dollar Tree has packs of these)
• White cardstock or paper
• Hot glue and scissors
• Fishing line or clear thread

Roll the carton in pipes, glue them closed and let some warm glue drip down the sides to look like melted wax. Popp a tea light on top, fasten the fishing line and hang them from the ceiling to different heights.

IMO, this is one of DIY -which photographs very well too. Halloween your party photos are going to see Guy (Proverty Totally). Just make sure you hang them for sure – nothing kills the mood like a “candle” turning someone on their head.

8. Glamorous Skull Décor

Dollar tree sells plastic shells for a dollar. Skulls. TO. A. Dollar. Now, out of the package, they look pretty cheap. But covered with gold paint or decorated with rhinestones? They look like you raided an expensive shop.

You can go full glam with:

• Metallic spray paint (gold, silver, or copper)
• Adhesive rhinestones or gems
• Glitter (if you’re brave and don’t mind finding it everywhere forever)
• Black and white paint for a more sophisticated look

These act as bookends, mantel décor, or even as part of a centerpiece. One of my friends made an entire skull collection in various metal finishes, and it’s honestly fantastic. Would you believe me if I said the whole case cost under $ 15?

9. Bewitching Lanterns

Last, but definitely not least – lanterns. Dollar tree has these basic lamps crying for a makeover. Here’s what makes them look expensive:

Grab some black paint (or spray paint) and completely transform the color. Then add:

• Battery-operated string lights inside (also from Dollar Tree!)
• Artificial moss or flowers around the base
• A decorative ribbon or handle wrap
• Small Halloween accents like mini pumpkins or plastic bats

The warm glow of light through a black lantern creates such a cozy, nif atmosphere. In addition, you can use this year around if you just replace the Halloween decorations for seasonal things. :/ (Yes, I am the person who reuses decor.)

Making It All Come Together

Here is the thing with dollar tree diys – individually they are great. But when you group them together? That’s when the magic happens. Make vignettes by combining a few projects. Add the metal graves next to the black candlesticks and skull. Arrange your potion bottles with the pharmacy jars. Layer, stack and group of things in odd numbers.

The real secret sauce? Cohesion. Choose a color scheme (black and gold, purple and silver, orange and copper – what talks to you) and stick to it. That’s what makes everything look intentionally and expensive than a random collection of Halloween -Thing.

Do not underestimate the power of good lighting. Dimming, warm lights make everything look more expensive and atmospheric. String lights, candles (fake are absolutely fine), and even colored LED bulbs can transform your space.

Final Thoughts

I’ll get it. Halloween bracket can quickly be stupid expensive. But here is what I have learned after many years of crafts on a budget: Creativity beats the budget every single time. These 9 dollars three dies show that you don’t have to drop hundreds of dollars to create a room that looks straight out of a magazine.

The best part? You made it yourself. There is something satisfying that people compliment your decorations and know that you basically did them. In addition, crafts are actually therapeutic (or maybe it’s just me justifying my glitter addiction).

So grab your hot glue gun, look up the dollar tree and get ready to make some seriously impressive Halloween decor. Your wallet will thank you, and your Instagram feed looks incredible. Happy haunting, friends! 🎃 🎃