7 Halloween Decorations You Should Always Buy From the Thrift Store

Candelabras and Candleholders

Few things set a spookier scene than candlelight. You can often find brass and silver-toned candlestick holders at thrift stores, which will elevate a decorated mantel or dining table when styled with taper candles in moody shades like black, burgundy, or deep green. (You can also try your hand at making the bloody tapers pictured here by dripping red candle wax on white tapers.)

Seasonal Figurines and Knick-Knacks

Thrift stores are often full of figurines ideal for holiday decorating, from mini ceramic pumpkins to tabletop signs. Arrange them on mantels, tablescapes, or shelves for a playful yet elevated touch.

Professional artisan Christina Argonish, owner of Sister Trade City, also suggests spray painting thrifted figurines that aren't Halloween-specific. "With a quick coat of black or metallic spray paint, they can be transformed into chic Halloween accents," shares Argonish.

Glassware and Serveware

Halloween entertaining calls for serving trays, candle dishes, and punch bowls. Fortunately, your favorite secondhand haunts are just the place to pick up all that you need. A crystal candy dish becomes a home for candy corn, glass goblets are perfect for seasonal cocktails, and a tarnished tray looks spooky-chic when covered in small gourds or candles.

You can also turn glass jars and bottles into faux "poison" and "potion" bottles with just some paint and labels. (You can print out templates here.)

Framed Art Pieces

Practically any old piece of thrifted art can be transformed into one-of-kind Halloween décor. "You can create Halloween scenes using thrifted art and paint," shares Argonish. "On a landscape print or painting for instance, you can add pumpkins along the path, a witch flying in the sky, or ghosts walking or floating along." Find full instructions for this easy Halloween craft here.

Faux Flowers

It doesn't matter the types of blooms or their hue—any kind of faux flower can become near-instantaneous Halloween décor. Drape faux roses with spiderwebs for a Miss Havisham vibe. Or scoop up whatever fabric or plastic flowers you find and grab a can of black spray paint. Turn your secondhand stems into a bunch of moody blooms and add to vases around your home.

Costume Accessories

Be on the lookout for hats, gloves, costume jewelry, and costume accessories. In addition to being the finishing touch to whatever award-winning costume you're donning this year, these thrifted finds can be incorporated into your Halloween displays for an atmospheric touch. Think: lace gloves arranged next to a stack of hardcover "spell" books, or a string of faux pearls draped over a ghostly mirror.

Mirrors

Speaking of mirrors, you can give your Halloween set-up a “haunted mansion” vibe via this Halloween craft. Head to your favorite thrift store to pick up a secondhand mirror, then transform it into one fit for a haunted house with simple sticker paper and our templates found here.