Wanna go all in for Halloween? Windows are something you just can’t skip.
They’re the first thing people see walking or driving by, and honestly, they set the whole mood before anyone even gets to your porch. A glowing silhouette can make your house look like it came straight out of a spooky movie, and the best part is, it doesn’t take much more than some paper, lights, and creativity.
I’ve combined several ideas on how to create this effect on your window. Start with black poster board or foam board cutouts for the silhouettes, then layer a thin material behind them, cheap tissue paper, translucent plastic tablecloths from the dollar store, or even parchment paper all work well. Tape them directly to the window and let your regular room light shine through, or add puck lights or colored bulbs for extra glow. For larger windows, shower curtains or framed cloth panels give better coverage and can be reused year after year.
What caught my eye about u/Abject-Spinach6404’s parents’ house was the windows glowing like a scene straight out of a Halloween movie. Their aunt sketched and cut the silhouettes from black felt, then layered them over thin orange sheets so the light shines through with this spooky warmth. It made me want to try something similar, maybe even swapping the backing for orange fairy lights to push the glow a little further.
u/Afrin_Drip’s Halloween window setup proves that a little cardboard and creativity can go a long way. The cutouts were made from a $2.99 project board, outlined with the help of a projector, then carved out with an X-Acto knife before being lit up with orange Halloween lights taped behind them. I like that they tried foam core in the past but found cardboard easier and sturdier—it’s a good tip for anyone wanting detail without frustration.
u/LezTalkz’s Dollar Tree window display is such a great example of how budget décor can still feel nostalgic and atmospheric. They pieced together black foam boards, cut out a witch and tree silhouette with an X-Acto, and then taped orange Halloween lights behind it so the whole thing glows in the window.
u/FinallyAnonymous24’s front window is such a clever take on Halloween decorating, and I love how easy it is to recreate. They cut simple shapes out of black construction paper, then backed them with orange and purple string lights, so at night the silhouettes glow with this perfect spooky-cozy vibe. What makes it even better is how handmade it feels, you can tell it only took scissors, an X-Acto for the details, and a little patience. I honestly prefer this kind of DIY charm over store-bought décor.
I couldn’t get enough of physicalproxy’s kitchen window because it captures the kind of Halloween vibe I’d actually want in my own home. The Victorian Millicent stained glass film from Purlfrost has that slightly gothic glow in the sunlight that feels so right for fall, and it makes me wish I had more windows to cover. I must get that cat candy bowl, if you’re looking for something like that, it’s from TK Maxx.
What I love about u/ipswitchwitch’s setup is how effortlessly the curtains carry the whole look.
After years of holding onto these skeleton-print panels, they finally had windows wide enough to display them, and it was completely worth the wait.
u/Crafty_mom’s black light window nails that Beetlejuice vibe with a surprisingly hands-on process. She scaled up an image of his face by printing it across three pages, traced it onto neon pink paper, then layered it over a black base to capture the highlights. The body was freehanded, and she cut more than twenty tiny green beetles from traced silhouettes, even punching out little circles to mimic scales.
Walking past JusticezeroFTW’s place as an adult would honestly freak me out, I’d probably cross the street to avoid making eye contact with Pennywise in the window. The lineup included a mix of animatronics like Michael Myers and Chucky, plus PVC dummies for Leatherface, the Pig from Saw, and even a towering Pennywise, all staged inside the bay window.
u/Crafty_mom’s six years of Halloween window silhouettes prove how much charm poster board can bring to a space. She sketches her designs from photo references, sometimes even tying the theme to her kids’ costumes, Batman and Robin, Mario and Yoshi, Angry Birds, even a Coraline scene. Everything is cut by hand with an X-acto knife, taped directly to the glass, and Goo Gone handles any sticky residue.
For his first Halloween build, zacharoid transformed his windows with pallet wood boards to mimic an abandoned house. He stuck zombie arms through the slats and even teased a giant spider for the roof. I especially liked the idea of reaching through the boards to hand out candy.
u/ZestyclosePlenty1822’s window feels like the best parts of fall and Halloween rolled into one. The handmade garland with string lights gives it that cozy glow, while the little ghost house and wreath add just the right amount of spookiness. Love how cozy it looks at night
The Cracker Barrel haunted house is such a fun statement piece, and the pink really makes the mood feel playful rather than creepy.
I really like how the window is framed with lights, and using command hooks to keep them pulled tight is such a clever trick I want to copy.
This kitchen window would scare the shit out of me if I walked by at night. The setup is just a chicken wire and PVC mannequin with an Immortal Mask lit from below, but it looks terrifying from the street. Even the owner admitted it startled them more than once, which makes me feel better because I know I wouldn’t stand a chance. By TheAuthorofSin
I get way too excited over soft lighting, thrifted finds, and rearranging furniture at 2am. I’m here for the cozy chaos, the little corners that feel just right, and making a home that feels like you. Not fancy. Just real.