Decorating
10 Spooky (and Simple) Decorating Ideas for Halloween
More and more, Halloween is becoming a fun day for Aussie kids and adults alike. Here are some scary ways to decorate your home
Once upon a time, Halloween was something we Australians just read about in magazines and books, or saw on television. We watched as our American counterparts revelled in the holiday, decorating their porches with a plethora of pumpkins, installing makeshift graveyards on their front lawns and ensuring no kid went home without a handful of “candy” and a nightmare waiting to take hold.
Happily (or maybe not so happily if you are easily scared), this fun and somewhat spooky holiday has made its way across the ocean from America to Australia. And, as more and more Aussies get in on the fun, it might be wise to take a lesson from our American friends and learn how to decorate in true Halloween style. Here are some ideas to get you started.
Happily (or maybe not so happily if you are easily scared), this fun and somewhat spooky holiday has made its way across the ocean from America to Australia. And, as more and more Aussies get in on the fun, it might be wise to take a lesson from our American friends and learn how to decorate in true Halloween style. Here are some ideas to get you started.
2. Decal decor
Applying temporary Halloween-appropriate wall decals is a move that gives you a lot of bang for your buck. While this idea works for adults and children, it would again be fun to “hide” the decals all around the house and let them work their magic bit by bit as they are found.
Applying temporary Halloween-appropriate wall decals is a move that gives you a lot of bang for your buck. While this idea works for adults and children, it would again be fun to “hide” the decals all around the house and let them work their magic bit by bit as they are found.
3. Lab jars
A creepy motif that tends to pop up around Halloween is the image of a crazy scientist working away in his lab. While this image may evoke nightmares, you can channel this thought into some fun decor – think creepy creatures in lab jars, like here. A quick visit to the toy store will yield plastic snakes and fake spiders, all of which can be stuffed into glass jars for a fast Halloween decor fix.
A creepy motif that tends to pop up around Halloween is the image of a crazy scientist working away in his lab. While this image may evoke nightmares, you can channel this thought into some fun decor – think creepy creatures in lab jars, like here. A quick visit to the toy store will yield plastic snakes and fake spiders, all of which can be stuffed into glass jars for a fast Halloween decor fix.
4. Scary trinkets
A quick visit to a bargain shop will provide you with tonnes of quick and easy decorating ideas. Taking inspiration from this photo, you could consider hiding many small spooky trinkets around your house. This is a perfect idea for a family – don’t point out these items to your kids, but let them discover them one by one, like on a treasure hunt.
A quick visit to a bargain shop will provide you with tonnes of quick and easy decorating ideas. Taking inspiration from this photo, you could consider hiding many small spooky trinkets around your house. This is a perfect idea for a family – don’t point out these items to your kids, but let them discover them one by one, like on a treasure hunt.
5. A simple skull
Skulls have become a hip decor trend in recent years, so you should be able to find a ceramic skull easily. Even better, you may be able to paint your own at a plaster workshop. Whether you use one skull or many, they will instantly add a spooky element to your space – and once Halloween is over, you can keep them on hand for hipster credibility.
Skulls have become a hip decor trend in recent years, so you should be able to find a ceramic skull easily. Even better, you may be able to paint your own at a plaster workshop. Whether you use one skull or many, they will instantly add a spooky element to your space – and once Halloween is over, you can keep them on hand for hipster credibility.
6. Dem bones
Then again, you could always take things to the next level and opt for a full skeleton. Of course, you won’t be able to get the “Dem bones, dem bones…” song out of your head, but you will be able to add a seriously quirky element to your home and make it Halloween-ready in an instant.
FUN IDEA: If you’re hosting a Halloween party, hide these around the house in places including the powder room.
Then again, you could always take things to the next level and opt for a full skeleton. Of course, you won’t be able to get the “Dem bones, dem bones…” song out of your head, but you will be able to add a seriously quirky element to your home and make it Halloween-ready in an instant.
FUN IDEA: If you’re hosting a Halloween party, hide these around the house in places including the powder room.
7. Painted pumpkins
Sure, orange pumpkins are fun. But metallic pumpkins? So much better. Pumpkins are the lifelong symbol of Halloween and, obviously, you know where to find them. Pick up a few in various sizes and use spray-paint to give them an even coating.
FUN IDEA: Host a pumpkin painting party for you and your friends.
Take a look at these malachite pumpkins
Sure, orange pumpkins are fun. But metallic pumpkins? So much better. Pumpkins are the lifelong symbol of Halloween and, obviously, you know where to find them. Pick up a few in various sizes and use spray-paint to give them an even coating.
FUN IDEA: Host a pumpkin painting party for you and your friends.
Take a look at these malachite pumpkins
8. Dark art
If you have a creative streak, now is the time to put it to good use. Break out your art supplies and create some seriously spooky artwork. This photo shows some interesting word art, but you could also draw creepy portraits or spooky landscapes. Hang it pride of place and then surround it with other Halloween-inspired decorations such as fake spiders, stuffed birds, bats and so on.
If you have a creative streak, now is the time to put it to good use. Break out your art supplies and create some seriously spooky artwork. This photo shows some interesting word art, but you could also draw creepy portraits or spooky landscapes. Hang it pride of place and then surround it with other Halloween-inspired decorations such as fake spiders, stuffed birds, bats and so on.
9. On display
Creating a Halloween vignette will bring instant spook-appeal to your party zone. Think candles, creatures and lots of black and orange.
PROJECT: Grab one photo of everyone in your house and put your Photoshop skills to work. You can either turn them into black and white photographs or add strange deformities and effects. Once you’re done, print them and hang them above the mantel or over a sideboard. Your friends and family – whoever you include – will love discovering what you have done to their photo.
Creating a Halloween vignette will bring instant spook-appeal to your party zone. Think candles, creatures and lots of black and orange.
PROJECT: Grab one photo of everyone in your house and put your Photoshop skills to work. You can either turn them into black and white photographs or add strange deformities and effects. Once you’re done, print them and hang them above the mantel or over a sideboard. Your friends and family – whoever you include – will love discovering what you have done to their photo.
10. Creepy additions
If you don’t want to go all-out on decorations, this quick idea is the easiest: simply add a Halloween twist to your current decor. In this photo, you can see that the homeowner has simply thrown a skeleton onto their Christmas wreath. This isn’t going to have a huge impact, but it does show that you’re getting into the “spirit” of things right at the front door.
TELL US
How do you celebrate Halloween Down Under? And what are your decorating tips? Share your spooky vision in the comments section.
MORE
Horror House: Why Celebrate Halloween in Australia?
Halloween Quiz: What’s Haunting Your House?
Playing Dress-Ups: Costume Enthusiasts Invite You Into Their Homes
If you don’t want to go all-out on decorations, this quick idea is the easiest: simply add a Halloween twist to your current decor. In this photo, you can see that the homeowner has simply thrown a skeleton onto their Christmas wreath. This isn’t going to have a huge impact, but it does show that you’re getting into the “spirit” of things right at the front door.
TELL US
How do you celebrate Halloween Down Under? And what are your decorating tips? Share your spooky vision in the comments section.
MORE
Horror House: Why Celebrate Halloween in Australia?
Halloween Quiz: What’s Haunting Your House?
Playing Dress-Ups: Costume Enthusiasts Invite You Into Their Homes
Sponsored
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly decorating idea, look no further. Cobwebs will instantly give your space a ghostly twist. Of course, while real cobwebs might be considered the most budget-friendly idea of all, it would be better (and cleaner) to make your own. A “web” search among Houzz’s Halloween photos will result in all sorts of DIY ideas. Here, the owners have just used white tulle to create their cobwebs, and attached a few juicy spiders.