If you love a theme, will jump on any excuse to decorate your home, or are just counting the days until Halloween, then this one’s for you!
October 31st may be just one day of the year, but your Halloween decorations can set the mood all October long. No matter how large or small your space is, or what your Halloween vibe may be, we’ve got some hot tips just for you:
1. Set the tone
Ever tried watching a horror film on mute? You’ll notice that it’s just not as scary.
That’s why our first tip is all about setting the tone. This means making sure your space doesn’t just look scary, it’s spooky on every sensory level!
The easiest way to set the tone is with a spooky playlist. Just set it on a low volume and let the audio work its magic. It really is that easy!
Another tip we love when it comes to setting the tone is with a creepy black-and-white movie. If your living area has a TV try moving it into the center of the room, dim the lights, and play an eerie, black-and-white movie on mute. Alternatively, if you have a projector on hand, you can project your chosen movie onto a blank wall in your space and let it set the tone for your evening.
2. And the mood
Now that you have the auditory mood of your space sorted, shift your attention to your lighting.
One traditional way to approach your lighting is by using candles instead of the usual electric bulbs. You can go wild with these and use as many as you like to light up your space entirely with candles. As an added bonus, this decoration gets spookier over the course of the night as the wax drips.
If you don’t want to go the candle route, then just customize the way your lighting sets the mood in your space. You can DIY this with some colorful, transparent paper.
All you need to do is slip pieces of colored, transparent paper, or any kind of colorful paper that light can travel through, on the outside of your light fixtures. This is an easy way to change the mood lighting in your space. Once the spooky season is over, just take the paper out your fixtures!
3. Put little touches everywhere
If you don’t want to be too obvious or spooky with your decorations, you can still make your space look festive with some light touches.
These unexpected touches can be even spookier than larger-than-life decorations because they’re more likely to catch your guests off-guard!
One of our favorite ways to add some subtle Halloween decorations to your space is with googly eyes. One large pack of googly eyes can go a long way if you place them just right. Try sticking some eyes strategically on the candy you’ve laid out, or even on the walls to make your guests feel watched.
You can also focus all your spooky energy on the food. Shape cookies into gravestones, serve your dishes in spooky cauldrons or fake body parts, or just try these scary-good Halloween recipes.
4. Customize your decorations
A spooky movie can cover your den or living room (see number 1 on this list) but you can try customizing your decorations to match every room in your space.
Painted pumpkins look right on theme for your kitchen space. Cover your living areas by hanging some fake skeletons in your closets and leave the doors slightly ajar. Festooning your entryways in fake cobwebs is also an easy way to set the mood as soon as anyone enters your space.
If you’re hosting a spooky dinner or party and want to lead your guests to a specific room, try paving the way with splashes of fake blood. Switching off the lights and making signs with glow-in-the-dark paint can also get your guests in the right mood.
5. Keep it chic!
If you love a good theme, but aren’t a fan of the traditional Halloween fare, you can match your aesthetic with some elevated Halloween decorations.
Instead of a traditional flower vase, decorate your centerpieces with painted pumpkins. While we’re on the subject of flowers, opt for dried arrangements or muted colors instead of the usual bright floral bunches you may go for.
Lace is also a fabric that fits right into the chic Halloween theme. Try laying out a lace tablecloth or putting some lengths of lace up over the windows for a creepy, Victorian feel. You can even try making these lace ghosts for a unique haunted feel. All you need is some lace fabric, foam balls, and yarn! We love this decorating tip because you can dress to match your decorations with a black lace dress.
Which of these tips are you using this Halloween? Tell us which one, or share your go-to decorating hack in the comments below.
Until next time, enjoy the season and have a happy Halloween!