One Night Stand Costume
A literal bedside table costume that is guaranteed to get laughs.
The One Night Stand costume is a classic, punny Halloween favorite that plays on the literal meaning of a bedside table. It is a popular choice for those who love clever, humorous, and budget-friendly DIY outfits. The look consists of a wearable cardboard 'nightstand' complete with drawers, a lampshade hat, and various bedside accessories.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as One Night Stand
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a One Night Stand costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete One Night Stand costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Large cardboard box
A sturdy box that fits around your torso, painted brown or covered in wood-grain contact paper.
DIY: Find a free appliance box behind a local retail store.
Wood-grain contact paper
Self-adhesive vinyl paper to easily give your cardboard box a realistic wooden furniture finish.
DIY: Paint the box brown with acrylic paint and draw wood grain lines with a black marker.
Lampshade hat
A lightweight, small-to-medium fabric lampshade worn on the head, secured with a headband or chin strap.
DIY: Use an old lampshade from a thrift store and hot-glue it to a cheap plastic headband.
Drawer knobs
Two lightweight plastic or wooden cabinet knobs to attach to the front of the box.
DIY: Use painted plastic bottle caps or cardboard circles as drawer handles.
Bedside props
An empty tissue box, a fake alarm clock, a plastic cup, or a book to glue to the top of the nightstand.
DIY: Print out a clock face and glue it to a small cardboard jewelry box.
Shoulder straps
Sturdy webbing or thick ribbon to create suspenders inside the box so it hangs comfortably from your shoulders.
DIY: Cut straps from an old backpack or use a strong duct tape harness.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made One Night Stand costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Cut out the bottom of the cardboard box completely so you can stand inside it.
- 2
Cut a hole in the top of the box large enough for your torso to fit through comfortably.
- 3
Cover the exterior of the box with wood-grain contact paper or paint it brown to look like wood.
- 4
Glue or screw the drawer knobs onto the front of the box, and draw horizontal lines to define the drawer seams.
- 5
Attach the shoulder straps to the inside of the box so the top surface sits at waist or chest height.
- 6
Hot-glue your bedside props (like the alarm clock, tissue box, and a book) securely to the top surface of the box.
- 7
Attach the lampshade to a headband or secure it with a chin strap, then place it on your head to complete the look.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair flat or tied back so the lampshade hat sits securely on your head. Makeup can be simple, or you can add a tired, 'just woke up' look with messy hair and light dark circles under your eyes.
One Night Stand for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as the One Night Stand, and the other wears pajamas, messy hair, and carries a pillow.
- group
- A group can go as a suite of bedroom furniture, including a bed, a wardrobe, and a vanity.
- kids
- Scale down the box size to fit a child, using lightweight foam board instead of heavy cardboard for comfort.
- Plus size
- Use a wider wardrobe box or extra-large moving box, ensuring the torso cutout is wide enough for a comfortable fit.
- pet
- A small dog can wear a lightweight cardboard box decorated like a tiny nightstand with a mini lampshade on their harness.
Tips
- Keep the tabletop props lightweight so the box doesn't sag or become too heavy to wear.
- Make sure the armholes or torso cutout are wide enough so you can easily reach your pockets or hold a drink.
- Wear comfortable, plain clothing underneath, like a solid black t-shirt and jeans, to keep the focus on the nightstand.
- If attending a crowded party, keep the tabletop surface relatively narrow so you don't bump into people.
One Night Stand costume FAQ
- How do you keep the lampshade on your head?
- The easiest way is to hot-glue the metal wire frame of the lampshade to a sturdy plastic headband, or attach elastic chin straps to the sides.
- Is this costume easy to walk around in?
- Yes, as long as you cut the bottom of the box high enough to allow your legs to move freely and keep the overall box lightweight.
- What should I wear under the One Night Stand costume?
- Simple, neutral clothing like a black t-shirt and dark pants works best so the cardboard nightstand stands out.
Did you know? This literal pun costume has been a staple of DIY Halloween culture for decades, frequently appearing in viral social media posts and winning local costume contests for its low cost and high comedic value.