How to Decorate your Haunted House for Halloween on a Budget

• Gather up your supplies: Old pieces of cardboard, colored paper, markers, and glue are some of the things you can use.
• Take cardboard and cut out bat shapes (use a stencil if you need to): After you cut them out, use markers or paint to add color. Black bats look great hanging with a bit of fishing wire or string.
• Make fake tombstones out of cardboard: Just cut out the shape, paint it gray, and write RIP or other sayings on them. They can then be placed in a window, or in a place where they won’t get wet.
• Use yarn or crepe paper to create giant spider webs for windows
• Use colored paper to cut out pumpkins, black cats, or other Halloween pictures: These can be placed in windows, or on walls.
• Recycle old costumes and clothes: Old masks can be used to make life-size monsters with just some old clothes and newspapers.

Need more Halloween decorating ideas? Take a look at these tips:

We love this spooky Halloween decorating tricks and tips from Homedit.com

These 14 Halloween projects from Popular Mechanic will help you will more decorating ideas.

Want to make Halloween Specimen Jars?

Try making these Halloween specimen jars for your Halloween party:

Haunted House Decorating Tips:

• Keep scraps of fabric and old clothes throughout the year. These will come in handy to make scarecrows or other life size beings.
• Alternatively, instead of the yarn spider webs, you can purchase bags of “fake webbing” for very little cost, these often include small plastic spiders and the occasional glow-in-the-dark ones as well.
• For a bonus, change out your front porch light with a black light. It gives an extra creepy glow.
• If you happen to be a gardener, save any dead flowers and plants. Putting out some dead flowers and plants can make your house look haunted (just get rid of all the dead plants after Halloween!)
• Stick bin-bags to front windows and stick CSI tape to the front of the house to make it seem deserted.

Haunted House ideas:

Watch the haunted house video here for more ideas!

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Halloween Decoration: How to Make Cheesecloth Ghosts (Video)

Image via: Ashbee Design

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Supplies

• Foam ball wrapped in foil or tennis ball
• Wire and wire cutters
• Black marker or black felt, scissors and glue
• Liquid fabric starch or liquid fabric stiffener
• Cheesecloths
• Empty plastic bottle without the lid
• Container or spray bottle
• Led votive candles (optional)
• Fishing line for hanging (optional)

Watch a video on how to make cheesecloth ghosts:

You can find the link to the video here.

Directions

• Place the ball on the bottle opening. The ball will be forming the head of the ghost, so make sure that the size of the ball is in a good relation with the size of the bottle, which will be forming the body of the ghost.
• Wrap the wire around the bottle neck and form two “arms” with the ends of the wire.
• Prepare the cheesecloths and place one piece loosely over your bottle-ball-wire body creation, to make sure that the piece of cloth is enough for your ghost. If it’s too small, don’t be disappointed; just layer enough of them until you are able to cover the body. When you are satisfied with the cheesecloths, remove them from the body.
• Fill a container with your liquid starch or a spray bottle. The part that follows is going to be messy, so make sure to cover your workplace for an easier clean up afterwards.

Image via: Country Living

• Soak a piece of cheesecloth with stark and wrench it very well. Place the piece over the body, just as you did before (if you want to use a spray bottle, place a dry piece of cheesecloth over the body and spray the starch on it until it is completely wet). Let it dry for about 10 minutes and then repeat the process with more cheesecloth if necessary until all the body parts are covered and your ghost looks done.
• Let the cloth dry completely and then gently remove your ghost from the bottle-ball-wire body. You can use your fingers to roughen up the cheesecloth’s ends if you like.
• Cut out two ghostly eyes and even a mouth from the felt and glue it onto the ghosts head or just paint them on using a black marker.
• Place your ghost over a led votive light to give it a gloomy after dark look or use a piece of fishing line to hang the ghost from the top.

Image via: Scrap Orchard

It is a great idea to make more than one cheesecloth ghosts for really successful Halloween Decoration. Try making different sizes of ghosts by experimenting with bigger bottles and larger balls, even balloons. You should be careful though if you’re planning to use them for outside decoration, since a possible rainfall is most likely to wash out the starch and undo your ghosts, so better use them in an area that is protected from rain.

For more Halloween craft ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Round Up Ideas: Creative Outdoor Halloween Decor

Halloween Doormat Idea

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on doormat. Purchase a simple welcome doormat and make it look creepy by using a bit of your creative skills. Pick a pair of striped stockings and cut their legs. Now stuff cotton into the legs and add a pair of witch like shoes. Simply glue them underneath the mat to terrorize your guests. Check more such ideas at: Last Minute Outdoor Decorations for your Halloween Porch

Image via: Simply Tale

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Decorate with Halloween Lawn Ornaments

Image via: Stylish Eve

Make a scarecrow and spread fall leaves, miniature pumpkins, uncarved pumpkins, and gourds around it. Have the scarecrow hold up a sign that says something like “This way to tricks, that way to treats.” It can also be accompanied by some flying ghosts, which you can make with gauze fabric and balloons. Here are more ideas on How to Create Outdoor Halloween Decorations.

Image via: BHG

Frighten with White

Image via: Country Living

Who says you can use only black and dark color for your Halloween decor? You can create a spooky feel with white and lighter shades too! Put bunches of white blooms in light colored apple baskets and keep them in your yard. Now surround them with white gourds and pumpkins and use LED votives in between. Complete the look by hanging a few lanterns from a nearby tree. Check this post for more Budget-Friendly Halloween Decor Ideas for Your Yard.

DIY Ghosts Using Chicken Wire

Image via: Pinterest

Putting together your own decorations is a fun and a good way to get your creativity along. That’s why we bring to you this DIY ghost idea that really creepy and can be tweaked and changed into any shape that you would desire. Just measure the space available outdoors and let your imagination go wild. Learn how to do it yourself here: Halloween Decoration: DIY Ghosts Using Chicken Wire.

Image via: Home Decor Ideas

Whether you want a scary scene on your front lawn or at your backyard, use these Halloween decor ideas to set the stage. Better yet, turn this project into a quality family time by involving your family members in creating decorations without spending a lot.

For more of our best Halloween round up ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Family Reunion and Family Wedding Decorating Ideas

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Create a family banner

Create a huge family banner and hang it in the main area of the event. Have everyone sign it and take a group photo under it to keep it as a memory. If you have a family slogan, add it. This idea is sure to be a hit and your loved ones will rant about it for years to come. To make it even more personalized, let everyone dip their hand in paint and leave a hand print by their name.

Family reunion decorating ideas: Celebrate heritage

Seek inspiration from your family heritage for your next reunion party. For instance, if your grandparents come from America, decorate using American flag. Or if your grandfather belongs to America but your grandmother came from Italy, bring out flags from both the countries. The idea is to create a feel of whatever country your ancestors belong to by decorating with items that transform the reunion setting into your family’s home country.

Family reunion centerpiece ideas: balloons and streamers

What is a family reunion without balloons and streamers? Especially, if you have a lot of little ones in the family, they are always a hit. Blow up several of them and let them float around. Make sure they have long strings so that kids can enjoy walking under them. To personalize them you can also family pictures on the strings. Wall hangings and refrigerator art from everyone’s childhood is another interesting idea.

A family reunion like other parties requires decorations and a festive atmosphere. Use these ideas to make it fun and merry for all. But just remember to keep it simple and low stress!

For more family gatherings and wedding decorating ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Outdoor Wedding Reception Decoration Ideas

Image Via: Colin Cowie Weddings

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Decorating With Ribbons

There is something which is very feminine, dainty and festive about ribbons. The same can be said about weddings. Outdoor wedding reception decor gets a very elegant touch if you can incorporate ribbons cohesively in the decor. You can use ribbons to form walking aisles, you can hang the from trees and wrap them around reception chairs. Another great way to use ribbons is to hang them from a height and tie old bulbs at the ends to lend a vintage touch to your wedding.

Image Via: Festival Brides

Flavors Of The Sea

As we have discussed many times before, sea has a very soothing effect and balances the harsh summers perfectly. Sea elements bring about the same effect. If for some reason you can’t organize a beach wedding, you can always bring the sea to your outdoors via sea elements. Use shells lavishly, use flora that resembles sea life, add ribbons and frills in hues of blues, aquas and azures and see the magic happen. You can also bring to use green and aqua colored bottles and work out beautiful summer flower arrangements in them.

Image Via: Ruffled

Decorating With Streamers And Buntings

Streamers and buntings are the happiest forms of wedding decor, especially for an outdoor wedding. Summers too long for happiness, cheer and glee and hence this decor setup matches the mood and spirit that is required for a summer wedding. You can arrange for bamboo poles for the lack of trees and run streamers and buntings end to end. If you are lucky to have trees in your outdoor setup then buntings can form a very interesting zig-zag mesh. Buntings and streamers can also be used effectively on table edges and chair backs.

Image Via: Style Me Pretty

Mason Jar Magic

Mason jars carry a certain nostalgia with them. Weddings are nostalgic affairs too. You can arrange summer flowers in mason jars and hang them using ribbons or jute cords from tree branches. Mason jars can also adorn your reception table decor along with flowers arrangements or candles. You can even fill them up with sand and stones for a beach wedding feel.

Image Via: Wedding Chicks

Decorating With Tents

If the summers are too harsh around your wedding, you can use white breezy tents to keep the glare away. Tents will give an outdoor feel along with an indoor sheltered experience. Tents can be worked out in many interesting patterns and color combinations. Apart from white you may use pastel shades of yellow, blue, peach, green, etc. to create a protected environment.

Image Via: Weddings Romantique

An outdoor wedding reception party requires you to be careful on many fronts. Apart from the decor elements there are a few other aspects that need to be taken care of. For instance, if arrangements have already been made for an outdoor setup and its too hot without any breeze you might want to introduce outdoor fans. You might also have to cater for sun protection and bug protection. All in all, with everything working out as planned, your outdoor wedding reception can be the best one in town.

Click here for more Summer Wedding Ideas on Stagetecture!

New Year’s Party: Easy DIY Clock Plate Decoration

Image via: Ciao! Newport Beach

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Supplies

Cardstock
Printed Clock Faces
Inkjet Printer
Mod Podge and brush or glue
Glitter or glitter glue (optional)
Gold or silver charger and clear glass plates (for the finish look)

Image via: Celebrations at Home

Directions

1. The first thing to do to make clock plates is to decide on the size of the clock faces you will need. You have to make sure that they are the correct size for your clear glass plates to sit on, so they will provide a good, sturdy surface for them.

2. After deciding on the size, you will need some clock faces. Those are available for printing all over the internet, all you have to do is to search them and adjust them so they will be printed to the correct size. Use cardstock to print on and cut the clock faces out.

3. Decorate your clocks with glitter or glitter glue for more spark if you like. Make sure to remove any excess glitter so it wont get all over the food.

4. You can make them sturdier by gluing them on thicker, pre-cut out cardstock or even plain, flat, plates, or you can use them as they are. If you want to use plain plates, you can use the Mod podge and brush to apply the images onto them.

5. Once ready, place the clock face between your charger and the clear glass plate, for a classy New Year’s Party table setting.

If you like, you can use old Cd’s and the Mod podge technique to make some fun timely decorations to decorate your home or table on New Year’s Eve. Just print the clock faces smaller, so they will fit on the cd.

Image via: The Mermaids Tale

These Plate Clocks are great for New Year’s Party Décor, but save them so you can use them for a future Cinderella Party or a Halloween Party as well, by just changing the overall decorations to adjust to the new theme.

For more New Year’s Party ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Home Office Ideas For The Office Entrance

Well, I won’t go overboard with Christmas Decor at my home office, however, I wouldn’t leave it out either. Beginning at the entrance, I would love to include planter boxes draped in a Christmasy attire. Either I would have bright red planter boxes with green and white foliage, else I would add loads of  Pine cones, Christmasy foliage and ball buntings in my usual planter boxes.

Image Via: Your Space By Design

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A Pin Board For Christmas

An office pinboard in the garb of holidays! I just love the idea. You can pin stuff like Christmas motifs, Christmas cards, Postcards and other paper craft. This for me is a subtle way to spell Christmas in your home office. You can even incorporate your children’s Christmas craft assignment.

Image Via: Terrys Blinds

Home Office Ideas: Bring the Holidays In 

A Holiday Themed Wall

Instead of limiting the holiday theme to the office pin board, you could have a Holiday themed wall where you could just stick your Holiday crafts. Use the colors of Christmas, like reds, greens and whites in the scheme and complement them with yellows, mustards and blues. This for me is a rather fresh Home Office Idea that shouts Christmas.

Image Via: Flipit

Office Window Decor

Use the window sills to display Christmas goodies. Stretch your imagination, think out of the box and bring Christmas to your window. You could experiment with wintery color schemes and incorporate the elements of Christmas. White looks gorgeous in the windows, so reminiscent of White Christmas.

Image Via: The Friday Child

Holiday Motifs On your Work Station

That is where we spend most of our time, don’t we. Bring in small reindeers, candy sticks, dummy gifts(or even real ones), mini Christmas trees and bathe in the festive spirit.

Image Via: Festivalpedia

Christmas fever is contagious, nothing is left behind, leave alone your little home office. Bring in the spirit of Christmas in every nook and corner of your home. These Home Office Ideas for Holidays are all pointing towards that. Enjoy holidays, even at work. It would be great to hear about how you plan to decorate your home office for Christmas. Do share!

For more home office ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Fall Decor: Bringing Fall to your Staircase

Image Via: Minimalisti

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Decorating With Fall Veggies – Pumpkins, Apples Etc.

No Fall Decor is complete without incorporating Pumpkins and likes. Be it in the form of the veggies themselves or the color inspirations they bring, these autumn veggies can stimulate you in a lot many ways. Feel free to add other fruits like apples and pears to the decor. They are in fact going to add to the warmth and homeliness of this fall decor.

Image Via: Home Design Update

Decorating With Wintery Foliage – Pine Cones And Autumn Leaves

Wrapping trails of winter foliage along the handrails of your staircase or along the balusters can look really stunning. The orange and reds of autumn leaves can bring Fall right in to your home and up to your staircase. Add to it a few ribbons, buntings and frills and be ready to walk with grace on your Fall staircase.

Image Via: Uhomeal

Candles & LED’s

Autumn chill calls for warmth. That is exactly what lighting brings. Be it in the form of candles or light strings, lighting adds a whole new dimension to your Fall Decor. And your staircase won’t have looked prettier!

Image Via: Minimalisti

Decorating With Dry Flowers

Dry flowers are another way to decorate your staircase in style. When staged against other Fall props, dry flowers can look gorgeous, not that they don’t make great stand alone decor items.

Image Via: Digs Digs

Bringing Fall to your staircase can be fun. What is gained is an explicit display of your decorating skills that can be viewed from any angle. So when you walk down from your bedroom to the hall below, be stunned with these beautiful autumn treats that greet you on your way. And of course staircase hopscotch will become more fun with these Fall Decor ideas for your staircase. Do not forget to share your favorite staircase decor tips for the season, in the comment box below.

For more Halloween ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Updating Your Home with Autumn Accents

 Image via: Pottery Barn

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Use Bright Throw Pillows to Enliven Furniture

If your seats look old and you can’t afford to buy other ones, don’t despair. Decorate them with bright pillows in colors like yellow, orange, pink, and red. You can swap the pillow covers seasonally to change the look of the room. Another great idea is to make pillow covers with silhouettes of family members. It is a simple DIY project you will enjoy.

Image via: Decoholic

Don’t Forget Window Treatments

Many people tend to forget their window treatments when decorating. Don’t be one of them. Drapes and curtains take up a lot of space and can dictate the look of a room. In order to create a coordinated look, choose window treatments which have at least one common color with the other accents.

Paint an Accent Wall

Bright paint can wake up a wall. If you want to emphasize a theme or draw attention to your treasured features, paint a single wall in a room. It is an excellent way to add vibrant color to your home. You can create a striking effect by using a fun pattern like polka dots. If you really want to be creative, try an ombre design.

Image via: Home Ideas

Many people would love to change the look of their homes but feel that it is a costly undertaking. This isn’t true. Thanks to the above home décor ideas, you can improve the look of your space inexpensively. As most designers will tell you, a few accent pieces can transform a space in an instant. Furthermore, you don’t have to decorate all the rooms in your home. You can start with the living room and work your way around the house. Set aside a weekend or a day for this project and you’ll be surprised at how much you’ll accomplish.

What are your “go-to” autumn decor accents this season? We love pumpkins!

Summer Entertaining: How to Throw a Hawaiian Party

Image via: Bella Grey Designs

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Invitations

Pick up invitations that have palm trees or luau girls printed on the front to set the mood. Include a note that everyone is expected to wear Hawaiian or bright colored clothes. If the budget allows give everyone a lei on their arrival.

Decorations

Decorate your party space in a way that it screams Hawaiian. In small glass jars, put coconut scented candles and place them on tables for festive low lighting. Hang grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts on the walls to create a tropical feeling. If you have enough space, purchase large palm or ficus trees and place them around the party area. For added effect, accent them with tropical flowers such as orchids, anthuriums or birds of paradise. Place centerpieces such as hibiscus flowers or hula girls.

Image via: Flickr

Menu

Serve Hawaiian inspired food such as roasted bananas, seasoned rice, barbecued pork, crab salad, fresh vegetables and a tropical fruit salad containing mangoes, pineapples, kiwis, strawberries, melons and other colorful fruits. Grilled meat marinated in Hawaiian sauce or pineapple can make for another delicious luau dish. Not to forget, roasted pig is a quintessential Hawaiian food.

For drinks, Mai Tai is a typical Hawaiian alcoholic beverage, but any fruity, tropical drink will serve the purpose. Classic Hawaiian punch is great for the younger crowd. Use colorful paper or plastic cups for both alcohol and virgin drinks, and add little umbrella in each drink for that perfect tropical vibe.

Image via: Holy Craft

When it comes to a summer party, backyard barbecue is not the only option. While that seasonal standard can certainly be fun, use these ideas to give your summer a tropical vibe.

For more party ideas on Stagetecture, click here.