- Spill out the pumpkins
Not sure what to do with your fireplace? A pile of orange and white pumpkins pouring out will create a whimsical display that is easy to put together and a treat for the eyes.
- Let creepy critters take over a chair
Place some fabric batting and stuffed mice on a little-used antique chair to give the appearance of a once-treasured piece of furniture being torn apart by pests.
- Let spiders overtake a stairwell
Faux spiderwebs are everywhere this time of year – including in most dollar stores. Use this budget-friendly material and a few plastic spiders for a spooky staircase.
- Mummify a beverage tub
Wrap a galvanized tub in cheesecloth and cut out eyes from black and white foam for a friendly mummy, ready to keep ice and cold drinks at hand for your monster mash.
- Bring your living room to life
Here’s an easy one: go to your local craft or dollar store for googly eyes in assorted sizes to give objects big and small an ever-watchful gaze.
- Turn a pumpkin into a candy dish
Cut a faux pumpkin in half and line it with fall-themed fabric to create a handy-lidded container for Halloween candy.
- Paint a pretty pumpkin
Speaking of pumpkins, stand out from the crowd by giving yours a beautiful paint job with vibrant colors and designs.
- Invite bugs to the dinner table
But if you still want to be spooky, give inexpensive white dinner plates a creepy-crawly makeover with black ceramic paint and some bug silhouettes.
- Stick to can’t-miss color combos
Black and white is a classic for a reason. For a timeless look, stick to high-contrast hues or mix in pops of orange, red or green for a more colorful take.
- Choose scare-free decor
Not everyone wants to get spooky in October. Instead, opt for a classic fall front porch with planters filled with a candle lantern and assorted pumpkins, gourds and fall foliage to suit the season.