DIY: How to Make a Halloween-Ready Reading Corner

by Teri Coan

Open book with Halloween latte, jack-o'-lantern, and autumn leaves

October nights are made for stories. Picture the sound of leaves rustling outside, a candle flickering, and you’re curled up in your very own Halloween reading nook with a book that gives you goosebumps.

A cozy corner can transform your space into a little world where eerie and ghostly tales and warm blankets become the perfect partners. And the best part? You don’t need to spend a fortune—this is all about budget-friendly DIY Halloween décor with bookish charm.

Whether you’re reading from an Adult Book Subscription Box, a YA Book Subscription Box, or a Tween Book Subscription Box, we just know that the right atmosphere makes our pages even more magical.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Halloween Reading Corner

Choose the Perfect Corner or Nook

First things first, it’s time to find your perfect spot. It could be an unused corner of the living room, a window seat, or even a spot under the stairs. Clear it out and think of it as your stage for a little gothic transformation. Small space? No problem! Halloween reading nook ideas on a budget often start with repurposing what you already have. Toss in a bean bag chair or a large floor pillow, and suddenly you’ve got a nest perfect for losing yourself in a Halloween story.

Add Eerie Lighting for Ambiance

Lighting makes or breaks a cozy reading nook. We recommend skipping harsh overhead lights and leaning into warm, eerie glows. Think fairy lights draped along a bookshelf, pumpkin string lights around your chair, or lanterns casting soft shadows.

Child holding string lights in the dark wearing a colorful skirt

If you’re really leaning into the Halloween aesthetic, LED candles and skull-shaped lamps are a must. String lights bring a twinkling vibe that's equal parts cozy and enchanting.

According to HGTV, layering light sources is one of the easiest ways to create ambiance for seasonal décor. The same principle applies here: mix your string lights, lanterns, and candles for a corner that feels inviting but just a little haunted.

Halloween-themed pillows with “Spooky” and “Trick or Treat” text

Layer in Cozy & Halloween-Chic Textiles

No reading nook is complete without something soft to sink into. Start with a comfy chair, bean bag, or floor cushions, then layer in blankets and pillows. For seasonal flair, drape faux cobwebs across a chair back or rug, and mix in throw pillows with subtle Halloween patterns. The Halloween Pillowcase Set gives your cushions a scary facelift, while the Faux Cashmere Plaid Blanket is pure cozy indulgence.

If you’re looking for more dark academia décor vibes, then you will definitely want to stick to a dark neutral color palette, add velvet textures, and scatter some candles of different sizes for dramatic flair. Suddenly, your reading nook looks like a scene from a Gothic novel.

Pink teacup and saucer set with gold spoon and pine cone motif

Incorporate Haunted Décor and Props

This is where you can have the most fun. Gather mini pumpkins, skull figurines, jars filled with candy corn, or even a cauldron to hold your snacks. A bookshelf becomes instantly more festive with a few well-placed Halloween signs or potion bottles. Don’t forget to mix in treasures from OUABC, like the Magic Halloween Teacup Set, which is perfect for sipping tea while you dive into your next thriller.

For a renter-friendly trick, peel-and-stick bat decals add drama without leaving holes in the walls. A touch of gauzy fabric can transform a plain corner into something mysterious and moody. Just what we need!

Book titled What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena with Halloween props

Stock It with Chilling Reads

Once your nook looks the part, it’s time to load it with books that fit the vibe. Stack thrillers, gothic romances, or YA mysteries for easy reach. For a head start, grab one of our OUABC Halloween or mystery-themed boxes:

The Mischief Halloween 2024 Box, featuring Shari Lapena’s What Have You Done?, is packed with four chilling gifts perfect for October nights.

About the Book: Nothing ever happens in sleepy Fairhill, Vermont—until one autumn morning changes everything. Diana Brewer is missing, and when her body is discovered, the small town becomes a cauldron of paranoia, secrets, and suspicion. With ghost stories, twitching curtains, and a mounting sense of dread, this thriller will keep you turning pages long past midnight.

“The Bone Garden” Box features The Family Inside by Katie Garner and four phenomenal gifts. This box is eerie and atmospheric, ideal for anyone who loves a haunted house mystery.

About the Book: Iris Blodgett’s life is crumbling after her husband’s unsolved murder, but when her new partner invites her and her daughter to move into his centuries-old mansion, she discovers that homes—like families—can hide the darkest secrets. A chilling, atmospheric read where history and horror intertwine.

The “Nantucket Mysteries” Box featuring Nothing Bad Happens Here by Rachel Ekstrom Courage includes four gifts to bring this spine-tingling murder investigation to life.

About the Book: Lucia thought her summer on Nantucket would heal old wounds, but stumbling upon a body on the beach plunges her into a mystery brimming with secrets. Surrounded by wealthy teens and hidden truths, she soon learns that not everything on the idyllic island is as it seems.

The “Castle of Shadows” Box brings gothic chills with its Scottish castle setting. This box features a custom edition of In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan and 3 exciting gifts that add that OUABC magic.

About the Book: When Edwina inherits a remote Scottish castle, she and her daughter find themselves surrounded by ghosts and legends of a cursed diamond tied to Halloween night. Dark, haunting, and utterly captivating, this gothic tale is the perfect companion for a stormy October evening.

Your reading corner instantly becomes more than just décor; it becomes the heart of your Halloween reading challenge.

Open book surrounded by Halloween cookies and a red mug of cocoa

Personalize with a DIY Touch

The final step? Add your own ghostly flair. Create a jar of “witch’s brew” by filling a glass jar with water and food coloring. Make a mini banner with cutout bats or ghosts. Or better yet, craft your own Halloween bookmarks (we’ve got you covered with our DIY Halloween Bookmark tutorial). Small details like these make your corner feel one-of-a-kind and turn your craft session into part of the seasonal fun.

Happy Halloween Reading Nook creations from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club. Don’t forget to tag us so that we can see what you have created!