Halloween decorating has always been my favorite way to get a little creative without stressing myself out. I love finding projects that are easy to put together but still make a big impact once the sun goes down. Lanterns have a special place in my heart because they instantly set the mood and make everything feel a little more magical.
I’ve tried plenty of DIY lantern ideas over the years and the ones that turn out best are the simple ones with a clever twist. Some of my favorites came from repurposing jars or even using scraps I already had at home. It feels so satisfying when a few basic supplies turn into something that makes the whole porch glow with Halloween spirit.
These are the kind of ideas that make decorating fun instead of overwhelming, and I can’t wait to share them.
Mason Jar Lanterns with Spooky Silhouettes
These mason jars are turned into glowing lanterns with black silhouettes of bats, witches, and haunted trees. The flickering candles inside give them a warm orange glow that feels both eerie and inviting. Scattered autumn leaves around the setup add a cozy seasonal touch.
I think this idea is so clever because it’s budget-friendly yet looks like something straight out of a Halloween magazine. I love how the silhouettes instantly create a spooky vibe without being too over the top.
Starry Night Lanterns
These tin can lanterns are painted black and punctured with little star and moon shapes that shine beautifully when lit. Placed on a rustic wooden table with straw and dried flowers, they bring a magical farmhouse feel to Halloween.
I adore this because it blends rustic charm with a hint of spooky elegance. The glowing stars make me feel like I’m looking at a little Halloween night sky indoors.
Pumpkin Pathway Bags
Glowing paper lantern bags with jack-o’-lantern faces line a stone garden path. The subtle fog in the background makes them look extra haunting as they guide the way.
This is such a fun idea because it’s simple yet so effective. I love how it turns an ordinary walkway into a Halloween scene that feels like stepping into a storybook.
Star Carved Pumpkin Lantern
This pumpkin is carved with star-shaped cutouts instead of the usual spooky face, giving it a whimsical and playful glow. Set against dried corn stalks, it has that classic porch charm.
I really like this twist on pumpkin carving because it’s cute, different, and still feels perfectly Halloween. The stars shine so beautifully when the candle glows inside.
Hanging Paper Jack-O’-Lanterns
Round paper lanterns with jack-o’-lantern faces hang from the porch ceiling, lit from within. Twinkling fairy lights strung across the porch make the whole space glow with festive charm.
This design makes me smile because it’s cheerful and playful. I love how it brings a party vibe to the porch while keeping everything light-hearted and fun.
Polka Dot Pumpkin Lantern
Instead of carving a face, this pumpkin is dotted with small round cutouts that shine like glowing polka dots. Surrounded by smaller pumpkins and fall décor, it gives the porch a chic and playful look.
I think this idea is wonderful because it feels modern and creative. It’s the kind of pumpkin design that makes neighbors stop and admire.
Mummy Jar Lanterns
Glass jars wrapped in white gauze with twine around the tops glow with soft fairy lights inside. Set in a wooden crate, they look like little glowing mummies lined up together.
This makes me giggle because it’s so cute and easy to make. I love that it’s a kid-friendly craft that still looks amazing as porch décor.
Skull Tin Can Lanterns
Black tin cans are punched with skull-shaped faces, glowing red when candles are lit inside. Lined up along a wooden ledge, they look spooky and striking.
I find this idea really cool because it’s budget-friendly and creative. The red glow gives them a chilling effect that feels perfect for Halloween night.
Painted Bottle Lanterns
Wine bottles painted black are carved or cut with jack-o’-lantern faces, each glowing from within. Displayed on wooden shelves, they create a dramatic lineup of glowing pumpkins in bottle form.
I think this is such a stylish twist. I love how it feels like a chic Halloween bar setup while still keeping the fun spirit of carved pumpkins.
Glowing Spider Web Jars
Glass jars filled with neon green and purple lights are wrapped with artificial webbing. When lit, they look like jars full of glowing spider webs straight out of a haunted house.
This design feels so delightfully spooky. I love how the glowing colors pop at night and add a playful yet eerie glow to any Halloween setup.
Hanging Lanterns with Spiderweb Detail
This design features classic black lanterns with intricate spiderweb cutouts, glowing warmly with orange light. Hung along an outdoor walkway, they create an eerie yet inviting atmosphere that feels perfect for Halloween nights. The lanterns themselves have a timeless look, while the web design adds just the right spooky touch.
I love how these lanterns balance elegance and creepiness at the same time. They feel sophisticated without losing that playful Halloween charm. I think they would look incredible lining a porch or guiding guests up a garden path.
Rustic Jack O’ Lantern Canister
Here we see a metal canister transformed into a lantern, with jagged pumpkin-style cutouts letting the candlelight flicker through. The deep red and black painted surface gives it a rustic and weathered feel, almost like something out of a haunted farmhouse.
I think this piece is so fun because it blends craftiness with a rugged Halloween vibe. It feels homemade in the best way and would look amazing scattered on steps or grouped with pumpkins and autumn leaves.
Mason Jars with Chalked Designs
These mason jar lanterns are painted in dark tones and then detailed with whimsical white chalk-style drawings of pumpkins, ghosts, and spooky doodles. Lit from within, the artwork glows softly, giving a fun handmade charm to the setup.
I adore these jars because they remind me of doodling on notebook covers in school, but with a festive twist. They’re quirky, light-hearted, and so easy to personalize, which makes them one of my favorite DIY-friendly looks.
Haunted Castle Jar Lanterns
Frosted glass jars have been decorated with silhouettes of haunted castles and bare trees, glowing with warm candlelight inside. The matte white and black contrast gives them a sophisticated, gothic look while still being approachable as a craft.
I find these jars enchanting because they bring a little bit of storybook magic to Halloween. They’re spooky but elegant, and I could see them working beautifully indoors on a mantel or outdoors as part of a larger display.
Origami Paper Lanterns
These lanterns use folded paper in warm autumn tones like orange, red, and yellow, strung up with fairy lights overhead. Their faceted shapes add a playful texture, almost like glowing pumpkins but with a modern twist.
I love how cheerful and bright these are. They’re the kind of lanterns that instantly make a porch or patio feel festive, and they have such a cozy, handmade charm that makes them impossible not to smile at.
Coconut Shell Pumpkin Lanterns
Here, carved coconut shells are used instead of pumpkins, with floral-inspired cutouts that let the light shine through in intricate patterns. Their earthy texture and natural brown tones make them stand out against traditional Halloween décor.
I think these are so clever because they bring a fresh twist to pumpkin carving while still keeping that warm, glowing look. They feel rustic, unique, and perfect for anyone wanting something a little different on their porch this year.
