Halloween celebrations are almost here.  And while everyone enjoys a good scare this time of year, decorating for All Hallows’ Eve should be anything but frightful.  Making a few simple changes to your existing fall decor can make decorating for Halloween as easy as fall-ing off a log.  By combining traditional elements in warm, dark colors associated with fall and Halloween, you can create an elegant look that is sure to be Goblin-approved!

Garlands on staircases, for example, are a great way to add texture, color and visual interest any time of year.  Fall leaf garlands are readily available at most hobby and craft stores and chances are you already have a few strands.  Mixing them with black “evergreen” garland (also from hobby stores) gives the leaves a slightly more sinister look.  I always double up inexpensive garlands to add bulk for a richer look.

You can save a little money and switch things up a bit by swaging garlands only at the newel posts.  Adding picks of beaded gourds and nuts along with sprays of berries adds another dimension to your garlands.  And finally, hand-made bows of fall ribbon finish the look.

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Your tabletop centerpiece is another easy place to transform fall into something spook-tacular for Halloween.  This fall centerpiece takes on an entirely new personality by replacing the vase of green apples with one filled with black sand and a skeleton hand.  Black spiders made with pipe cleaners and poms (Google for instructions on how to make) & silk webbing add whimsy.  A black candelabra, “boo” sign and a few more bones complete the transformation.

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Don’t let decorating for Halloween scare you!   It’s easier than you might think.  Put your hard work to work for you and transform your fall decor for Halloween with a few simple changes.

Happy Halloween from Decor Designs.  815-245-2433.