Easy Scrap Wood Halloween DIYs That Look Store-Bought (Video Inside!)

Shelbe Brooks
Oct 16
4 min read

Your Scrap Wood Pile is a Spooky Goldmine. Let's Prove It.

With Halloween creeping closer, is anyone else feeling that itch to transform their home into a perfectly haunted mansion? But let's be real… the thought of battling store crowds and dropping a fortune on decorations that will live in a box for 11 months is the real horror story.

This year, we're doing it differently.

I'm taking you into my workshop to turn that forgotten pile of scrap wood into three jaw-dropping pieces of Halloween decor. These projects are ridiculously easy, budget-friendly, and have a rustic-cool vibe you just can't buy in a store.

We’re making a showstopper coffin, an upcycled lantern stand, and the cutest little pumpkins you’ve ever seen. Ready to make some magic? Let's get crafting!

Jump to Your Next Project:

* Project 1: The Showstopper Scrap Wood Coffin

* Project 2: The Upcycled Corner Lantern Stand

* Project 3: The 5-Minute Scrap Wood Pumpkins

Project 1: The Showstopper Scrap Wood Coffin

Every haunted house needs a coffin. It's the perfect statement piece for your porch, entryway, or fireplace. And this one looks fantastically old and weathered.

A finished DIY scrap wood coffin painted black and weathered with grey paint to look old and spooky, leaning against a wall as Halloween decor.

What You'll Need:

* Scrap 1x8 or 1x10 boards & plywood

* Wood Glue

* Brad Nail gun (or a classic hammer & finishing nails)

* 2 1/2” screws and drill

* Black & Bronze spray paint

How to Make It:

* Cut Your Angles: Using a miter or jigsaw, cut your side pieces with a 15-degree angle on each end. The goal is to create that classic coffin shape, wider at the "shoulders" (about 14 inches and tapering down to the base (about 8 inches). Don't stress about perfection! A little bit wonky just makes it look more authentic and creepy.

* Assemble the Frame: Run a bead of wood glue along the angled edges of your boards. Carefully press them together and secure them with your brad nail gun or finishing nails.

* Paint it Black: Give the entire coffin a patchy coat of black spray paint. Let it dry completely.

* Make it Ancient: This is the fun part! Add a light dusting of bronze spray paint, then lightly sand the edges, corners, and flat surfaces of the coffin using a fine grit sandpaper. This simple technique instantly creates a weathered, aged look that’s straight out of a horror movie.

Project 2: The Upcycled Corner Lantern Stand

This project is the definition of "work smarter, not harder." We’re combining a beefy piece of scrap wood with a brilliant Dollar Tree hack to create a spooky, glowing corner piece that holds candy, too!

A tall, black 4x4 post used as a DIY Halloween lantern stand, decorated with hanging Dollar Tree lanterns and a small cauldron filled with candy.

What You'll Need:

* An old 4x4 post or similar thick scrap wood

* Matte Black Spray Paint

* 2-3 Small Black Lanterns (I grabbed mine at the Dollar Tree!) you can buy them here: https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=89307&awinaffid=2611952&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dollartree.com%2Fmetal-lantern-decor-1-ct%2F382753

* 2-3 Small Metal Hooks

* 1 larger Utility Hook (or nail)

* Battery-operated Tea Lights (essential for safety!)

* A small bucket or cauldron for candy

*This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for helping me keep the sawdust flying!

How to Make It:

* Prep the Post: Cut your post to the height you want. ( I made one about 4 feet tall, and the other about 6ft tall! )perfect for a porch corner!

* Go Matte Black: In a well-ventilated area, give the post an even coat of matte black spray paint. It dries super fast and looks instantly gothic. For extra detail add some bronze or gold spray paint around the designed areas for a truly unique effect!

* Add the Hooks: Once it's dry, screw in the small hooks near the top at different heights. This will give your lanterns a nice, staggered look. Screw the larger utility hook into the side, about halfway down, to hold your candy bucket.

* Light It Up: Pop the battery-operated tea lights into your lanterns, hang them on the hooks, and fill your bucket with candy. Voilà! An instant, functional piece of decor.

Project 3: The 5-Minute Scrap Wood Pumpkins

Got five minutes? Then you have time to make these adorable rustic pumpkins. This is the best way to use up those tiny, awkward-sized wood scraps you can't bring yourself to throw away.

A group of three small, rustic pumpkins made from scrap 2x4 and 4x4 wood blocks, painted orange with small twigs for stems, sitting on a wooden surface.

What You'll Need:

* Scrap 4x4 or 2x4 wood blocks

* Orange and Brown craft paint

* A small stick, wood chunk, or even a wine cork for the stem

* wood glue

How to Make It:

* Cut Your Blocks: Simply cut your wood scraps into a few different heights to create a varied little pumpkin patch.

* Paint 'Em Orange: Give the blocks a quick coat of orange paint. Don't worry about making it perfect; a rustic look is what we're after. You can even add a bronze color to the edges to make even more of an impact!

* Add the Stem: Once the paint is dry, add a dab of wood glue to the top center of a block and press your stick or cork or wood chunk into place. That's literally it. You're done!

Want to See These Come to Life?

Reading is one thing, but seeing is another! I’ve put together a full video tutorial showing you exactly how I made these projects (plus a few more bonus ideas!).

Watch the full step-by-step video on YouTube to see all the details!