Tiny graveyard. Courtesy photo

By SUZETTE FOX
Los Alamos

Halloween’s just around the corner. If you like to decorate for Halloween, it’s not too late to enhance your haunted house, add a touch of fright to party decor, or prepare for trick-or-treaters. Here are a few of my favorites…

Tiny Ghost Town
I saw this last year in a magazine and it turned out terrific. Matte black spray paint or dark gray craft paint will turn craft store birdhouses into an eerie mini landscape. To bump up the creep factor, add oversized spiders to your scene.

Billowing Ghosts
The two ghosts pictured are about 25 years old or more. The outdoor ghost (in the photo leading up to my door) amazes guests and trick-or-treaters with its size while walking by. It is made up of a Styrofoam ball with a hanger attached as the shoulders. Throw a white sheet over it and it’s done. It is quite creepy.

The inside ghost is a quick and easy craft that is a great Halloween project to make with the kids. Best of all, the inexpensive materials ensure you can whip up a whole family of ghosts. All you need is cotton fabric, fabric stiffener, balloon, tin foil and an empty liter soda bottle.

Form the head with a blown up balloon then attach to the soda bottle with tape and form the arms with tin foil around the neck of the soda bottle. Take a large square of cotton fabric, immerse in the fabric stiffener, squeeze out excess and form around the soda bottle. Wait over night to dry and remove bottle. Presto, instant ghost!

Cobwebs – Inside and Out
Cobwebs can instantly transform a space into a spooky Halloween scene. Use it inside and out for great high impact that is super easy. I use it at the entrance to my house to up the creepy factor. I also use it inside to add to my Halloween décor. You can not dust your home all year long and say you’re getting ready for Halloween….just kidding! The store bought cobwebs are incredible and very cheap.

Craft a Graveyard for Your Front Yard
Whether you choose to add funny sayings or be deathly serious with traditional designs, you can turn inexpensive foam sheets into realistic-looking grave markers. Here is the path leading through the graveyard to my front door – the outdoor ghost has high impact here!

Felt Bat Pillow
I saw this decorating idea a few years ago and it really is super easy and fun. This cute felt pillow requires basic sewing skills and will bring a handmade touch to your Halloween decor. It’s one of my daughter’s favorite decorations.

Craft a Dramatic Wreath
Glam up your front door with an over-the-top black feather wreath. Use feathers in a contrasting color and menswear-inspired ribbon for a fashion-forward embellishment.

Pumpkin Vase
Flowers in fall shades transform any hollowed-out gourd into a wow-worthy centerpiece. Tuck a water-filled vase inside the pumpkin and fill with your favorite flowers.

Halloween. It’s a time of year when the air gets crisper, the days get shorter, and for many young Americans the excitement grows in anticipation of the darkest, spookiest holiday of the year. Hope these ideas will add to your Halloween fun.

Feel free to contact Los Alamos Interior Designer Suzette Fox to help with your home. For more information, find her on Facebook at facebook.com/SuzetteFoxInteriorDesign and on her website www.suzettefoxinteriors.com

Feel free to contact Los Alamos Interior Designer Suzette Fox to help with your home. For more information, find her on facebook.com/SuzetteFoxInteriorDesign and on her website www.suzettefoxinteriors.com