Murder Mystery Party Decorations and Props: 25 Ideas

Murder mystery party decorations do two jobs. They set the mood the moment guests walk in, and they turn your home into the scene of the crime, so the story feels real when the accusations start flying. The good news: you need far less than you think, and most of it can be printed.

Below are 25 murder mystery party decorations and props, from the essentials every party needs to themed ideas for Christmas, a wine dinner and a 1920s speakeasy, plus a supplies checklist.

What Decorations Do You Need for a Murder Mystery Party?

You need decorations in three places: the front door, the dinner table and one crime scene. Get those right and the rest is optional.

1. A welcome sign at the door. Name the house, hotel or club where the murder happens, so guests “arrive” at the scene.
2. Room signs. Rename your living room, kitchen and hallway after the story’s locations: the study, the cellar, the conservatory. Guests will use them when they argue about alibis.
3. Place cards and name tags. Every guest needs to know who is who, especially in round one.
4. Low, warm light. Dim the overhead lights and use candles, lamps and string lights. Nothing kills suspense like bright ceiling lights.
5. A crime scene. Mark where the victim fell with a body outline in painter’s tape (it peels off floors cleanly).

Murder Mystery Party Props and Accessories

Props are the things guests handle during the game. These are the ones that actually get used:

6. Clue cards. The heart of the game. Reveal them round by round.
7. An evidence table. A side table or tray where clue cards go once they’re revealed, so everyone can check the evidence before the final accusations.
8. Detective notes sheets. One per guest, with a pencil, for tracking motives and alibis.
9. Accusation slips. Everyone writes down their suspect before the solution is read.
10. A sealed envelope for the solution. Reading the answer from a sealed envelope makes the reveal feel official.
11. A magnifying glass. Pure theater, but guests love it. Pass it to whoever is presenting a theory.
12. “Do not touch” props. An old key, an empty bottle, a torn letter or a stopped clock on a side table make guests wonder what matters.

How Do You Make a Crime Scene for a Murder Mystery Party?

Make a crime scene with painter’s tape, a sign and one or two objects. Tape a body outline on the floor where the victim was found, stand a “Crime Scene: Do Not Cross” sign beside it, and leave a single object nearby that belongs to the story, such as a glass, a gift or a letter. Keep it out of the main walkway so nobody trips.

Themed Murder Mystery Party Decorations

Pick decor that matches your story’s setting. Here’s how each of our three party plans does it, using the decor guide included in every kit.

Christmas Murder Mystery Decorations

13. Mistletoe over a doorway, with the taped outline beneath it. In Murder at Hollyberry Hall, that’s where the master of the house was found. Real mistletoe berries are poisonous, so hang it out of reach of children and pets.
14. Room signs for the country house: the Great Hall, the Drawing Room, the Study, the Conservatory and the Kitchen, plus a “Hollyberry Hall” welcome sign by the front door.
15. Wrapped gifts under the tree, because the evening starts just after the gift exchange.
16. Evergreen branches, string lights and candles down the table. Use battery LED candles near greenery, paper and costumes.

For more festive ideas, see our Christmas murder mystery party ideas.

Wine Murder Mystery Decorations

17. Candles in wine bottles down a long table. Keep flames clear of clue cards and sleeves, or use LED candles.
18. Grapes, vine leaves and corks scattered along the table.
19. Room signs for the estate: the Dining Room, the Tasting Room, the Cellar, the Terrace and the Study, from Murder at Vintner’s Rest.
20. One special glass at the head of the table with a “Do Not Drink From This Glass” card. Nobody should drink from it.

1920s Speakeasy Murder Mystery Decorations

21. Black, gold and white: black tablecloths, gold candles, strings of pearls and ostrich feathers in tall vases. Battery candles are safest near feathers.
22. Cocktails in mismatched teacups, the way speakeasies hid their gin.
23. A “Password Required” sign on the front door. Make guests say the password before you let them in.
24. White lilies (or any white flowers) on the table, for the club in Murder at the Gilded Lily. Lilies are deadly to cats, even the pollen and vase water, so use silk ones if you have a cat.
25. A jazz playlist. Music is the cheapest decoration there is.

How Much Should You Spend on Murder Mystery Party Decorations?

You can decorate a murder mystery party well for the cost of candles and cardstock. Printable signs, place cards and name tags cost a few cents each to print. Painter’s tape, bottles, string lights and things already in your home cover the rest. If you want to splurge, spend it on one centerpiece that matches the theme, like a bunch of mistletoe, a bowl of grapes or a vase of feathers.

Murder Mystery Party Supplies Checklist

Print this and tick it off the day before:

• Welcome sign and room signs
• Place cards and name tags
• Clue cards, detective notes sheets and pencils
• Accusation slips and the sealed solution
• Painter’s tape for the crime scene
• Candles (LED near anything flammable) and string lights
• A small table or tray for evidence
• Themed centerpiece and a few props
• A playlist that fits the era
• Cardstock for printing

Get Every Decoration in One Download

Every Party of Suspects kit includes printable decor and a decor guide: a welcome sign, room signs for the story’s locations, place cards, name tags and a menu card, plus a playlist, invitations, a themed menu with recipes and a host timeline. Each kit is $24 for the whole group. Choose Murder at Hollyberry Hall for Christmas, Murder at Vintner’s Rest for a wine dinner, or Murder at the Gilded Lily for a Roaring Twenties night.

New to hosting? Start with our guide on how to host a murder mystery party, or try The Last Slice, a free mystery that takes about 45 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How do you decorate for a murder mystery party?

Decorate three places: the front door, the dinner table and one crime scene. Use a welcome sign at the door, candles and place cards on the table, and a painter's tape body outline where the victim fell. Signs that rename your rooms after the story's locations tie it all together.

What props do you need for a murder mystery party?

You need very few props: name tags, place cards, the clue cards, a notepad and pencil for each guest, accusation slips and a small table to display evidence. A magnifying glass, an old key or an empty bottle add atmosphere but aren't required.

How can I decorate for a murder mystery party on a budget?

Printables and things you already own do most of the work. Print the signs and place cards on cardstock, use painter's tape for the crime scene, bottles as candle holders and string lights for mood. Spend money only on candles and one themed centerpiece.

What colors are best for murder mystery party decorations?

Match the colors to the theme: black, gold and white for a 1920s speakeasy, deep red, green and gold for a Christmas manor, and burgundy, cream and natural wood for a wine estate. Low, warm light matters more than the color scheme.

Do murder mystery party kits come with decorations?

Many kits include only the game. Every Party of Suspects kit includes printable decor: a welcome sign, room signs for the story's locations, place cards, name tags and a menu card, plus a decor guide and a playlist.