16 Truly Terrifying Halloween Set-Ups
Houzzers across The Pacific are dab hands at setting up a spook fest, but have you done it better? Take photos and add them to the comments
Jenny Drew
31 October 2015
Home & Lifestyle Editor. Recovering cushion addict.
It’s Halloween today! While Houzzers in Australia are less inclined to celebrate than our US counterparts – admittedly, lighting pumpkins in the middle of the bush isn’t the most savoury of safety choices – there are still some of us who plan to spook our neighbours’ socks off, according to a recent Houzz poll. Here are some of the schemes that made our spines tingle this year.
Have you got any more creepy keepers to share from this side of The Pacific? We’re simply dying to see them…
Have you got any more creepy keepers to share from this side of The Pacific? We’re simply dying to see them…
1. Even in the cold light of day, this terrifying dinner host is about as charming as a battle axe; we love how the light shines through the sheer fabric for ghostly appeal.
2. Caviar, anyone? Nothing says ‘light snack’ quite light a skull filled with screamy greens.
3. If you could get past the logistics of crawling through that spiderweb, I’m not sure you’d be fond of what’s on the other side. A host of Halloween pumpkins lie at the bottom of this awful obstacle course, defeated by the task.
4. There’s every chance we’ve taken the ominous ‘harvest entry’ invitation the wrong way, but there’s something chilling about this doorway. The height has been emphasised with tall branches filled with autumnal foliage.
5. A flowerbed of headstones? Just what everyone needs…
6. There’s never been a spookier way to transform a side yard. The hanging ghost makes for a chilling guardian of this terror-tory.
7. …Let’s just discuss the house-sized pumpkin for a moment.
8. Whatever this family is selling, we’re not buying. According to Houzzer Kevin, this particular house gets 600 trick-or-treaters each year! Now that’s something to scream about.
9. Another unappealing home host fends off trick-or-treaters… and plots against Snow White with a poisoned apple while she’s at it.
10. One of the more chilling takes on a corpse bride we’ve ever seen, this hanging skeleton doesn’t miss a trick with a veil and black rose.
11. A red light bulb at the back turns this sinister porch into the ultimate scare-fest at night. Is it us or are these skeletons smiling at us?
12. Another reason not to look up…
13. A headless butler lures guests into the spine-tingling piano parlour for a night of maudlin music and mayhem.
14. A couple of guests at the party that never ends.
15. Old-time portrait photographs are a dead clever (and easy) way to add an eerie twist to a front door, a scare-free corner…
…or even a chandelier. And we thought family photos were only for the warm and fuzzy!
16. Whatever this is, we don’t want to know.
SHOW US YOUR HALLOWEEN HOUSE
What’s going to have your neighbours running from the hills?
MORE SPOOKY STORIES
Fun and Easy DIY Decorations for Halloween
Scare Tactics: 8 Tips to Get Ready for Trick or Treaters
DIY Project: Spooky Terrarium
Why Celebrate Halloween in Australia?
SHOW US YOUR HALLOWEEN HOUSE
What’s going to have your neighbours running from the hills?
MORE SPOOKY STORIES
Fun and Easy DIY Decorations for Halloween
Scare Tactics: 8 Tips to Get Ready for Trick or Treaters
DIY Project: Spooky Terrarium
Why Celebrate Halloween in Australia?
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Seasonal
Minimalist Halloween DIYs for the Design Conscious
By Lovisa Häger
If you want to decorate your home for Halloween, but would rather steer clear of the garish and unsightly, this could be the project for you
Full Story
Fun Houzz
Is This the Creepiest Halloween Set-Up on Houzz?
1500 hours of work, a forest, evil dolls and a toxic laboratory; this Halloween, the ultimate horror party will go down in this apartment
Full Story
Seasonal
Stylishly Alternative Pumpkin Ideas for Halloween
Don’t be scared by bad decorating this Halloween. Elevate the humble pumpkin with one of these simple decorating ideas
Full Story
Seasonal
Fun and Easy DIY Decorations for Halloween
Add instant colour and playful accents to your next Halloween-themed gathering with these DIY projects
Full Story
DIY Projects
DIY Project: Decoupage Pumpkin for Halloween
By Jade Rennie
Put down the carving knife and decoupage a pumpkin instead for your Halloween decoration this year
Full Story
Entertaining
How to Plan the Perfect Murder (Mystery Dinner Party)
For a gathering that's a little bit different this Halloween, why not plan and host your own murder mystery party at home! Here's how
Full Story
Seasonal
DIY Project: Bat Wing Napkin Rings for Halloween
If you're planning a sit-down meal for Halloween this year, here's a great way to dress up your table for some sparkly, spooky fun
Full Story
DIY Projects
DIY Project: Spooky Terrarium
Orchids, moss and carnivorous plants combine to make this frightful Halloween decoration
Full Story
Most Popular
DIY Project: Make Your Own Macrame Plant Hanger
Follow our step-by-step guide to creating a macrame plant hanger with a twist
Full Story
Strung up a string spider web at the front door with a fake big black spider. I then used a skeletal hand, left at our place by our forensics specialist son-in-law, as the front door handle. Very subtle but effective.
(Please note subtlety is not my forte)
it was so windy as we were trying to hang our spider webs it ended up all over the place. we had a piece 800 sq feet, but turned out to be quite narrow. would have been better if it was more square we wanted it between 2 trees, but just wouldn't work that way. it did look realistic though. we had a spooky night. Some of those decorations are terrific, loving the bride and the guests that'll never leave.