It’s the time of year when doors creak on their hinges and ghouls go lurking through the darkness — it’s Halloween! But that doesn’t mean you have to use disposable themed décor; instead, transform your abode into a chic and thrillingly spooky home.
To begin the conversion from autumnal décor to refined haunted house, have a theme or story in mind. I personally like to use an elevated theme like the macabre Gothic Victorian Era. Picture an old Victorian that has been left untouched — something from the pages of an Edgar Allen Poe tale.
Set Your Color Scheme to Autumn Chic
For the Gothic Victorian Era theme, use color coordinated accents and accessories in deep reds and rich browns, which is in the time period’s color scheme and perfect for Halloween decorating. However, those colors can be taken to a new level, and add sinister flair to a space, if paired with:
- Maroon
- Burnt orange
- Plum
- Grey
- Black
- Silver
Alternatively, for an air of ghostly charm, you could choose to decorate using only pale creams, greys, and whites.
Invest In Functionality
Invest in pieces that can be used throughout the year rather than purchasing decorations strictly for Halloween. For instance, to create an eerie atmosphere you could try:
- A silver tray on an ottoman paired with deep red barware
- Adding new dimension to drapery or walls without being too themed with a shabby chic bunting in orange, black, grey, and white (and a bit of burlap)
- Replacing pictures in frames with Victorian era prints
Source: Hometalk.com, Royal Design Studio
Paint Your Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is a wonderful Halloween tradition, but festive gourds don’t necessarily fit with polished Victorian ambiance. To dress up pumpkins and stay on theme, spray paint them silver. Next to rich reds, deep purples, and black, silver pumpkins will catch the eye for all the right reasons.
To create a particularly gorgeous gourd, use a Victorian damask stencil and add a black pattern on top of the silver pumpkin for a stunning and sophisticated look.
Delve Into Devious Details
Interior designers will tell you that the small details are what pull a room together. To set your scene, picture:
- Cream roses in jet-black vases
- Flickering candles filling up your fireplace
- A white or black cheesecloth table runner
Small, customizable details can also bolster your theme and are a great way to really tie everything together. Ordinary wine bottles, for example, become much more mischievous when dressed in labels like “Witch’s Brew,” “Murky Merlot,” or “Poison” (a Halloween favorite). Plus, one you’ve finished drinking the wine, you can wash, dry, and store them for next Halloween.
Source: MarthaStewart.com
Remember when styling your space find your theme, choose transitional pieces, and gather a range of small, detailed accessories to strengthen your design.
Image source: HGTV “Rate My Space” User NYCLQ
