Backyard Horrors: Stir Up Something Unearthly This Halloween
There is no doubt that Halloween is a holiday for children, but you can also decorate for the child inside you too. The best way to get into the haunting spirit is to transform your domain from the inside out for the spooktacular month of October. You can find inspiration from the falling leaves and bare tree limbs to the chilling, dark nights. Enhancing these potentially eerie elements that already exist in your backyard is the perfect way to start.
There are so many ways you can interpret Halloween. Depending on the age of children in your home and neighborhood, you might want a less frightening appearance. Or if you’re the queen or king of scream, kicking it up a notch to shuddersome imagery and mythical trimmings might be the plan to go with. Whether you design your yard to be kid friendly or ghastly enough to frighten the pants of passerby, there are some basic elements you will want to incorporate into the setting.
Bring the Twilight Zone Home
Remember “The Twilight Zone” series created by Rod Serling? It had a mix of fantasy, suspense, horror and science fiction wrapped up all in 156 original episodes. Scary movies and television shows from the past and present all have one thing in common: terrifically spooky settings. The suspense wouldn’t be the same without nightfall, dim lighting, unfamiliar paths, ghostly campfire stories and supernatural figures.
In order to make the exterior of your home memorable this year, you need to capture these elements. Shockingly, with the right lighting and outdoor accessories, your landscaping can be effortlessly transformed into a gory graveyard scene.
Decorate with Shock Value & Function in Mind
Creating an unforgettable Halloween is as easy as giving candy to a hungry gremlin. All you need is eerie lighting, mythical or freaky figures and terrifying trails, and you will capture eyes from the curb.
Play with Darkness and Light
When night falls, it’s time for all of the ghosts and goblins to come out, but you also need to shed some light on the crime scene.
- Create a magical experience by serving hot-blooded cocoa and gooey eyeball s’mores near a roaring fire. Weather-resistant cast iron fire rings can be used all year round, but one with cut out stars and moons plays into the Halloween spirit.
- Arrange solar rocks along your walkway or incorporate them randomly into your landscaping. Set an amber LED solar rock next to a bowl of candy or enhance the scary scene on your deck or patio with solar stepping stones.
Scare with Imagery
What are your favorite characters from Halloween? Implement the scariest ones into your yard for all to fear.
- Decorating a hammock chair or shed in your yard can raise your guest’s blood pressure. Place a fake scarecrow next to your shed and lay a stuffed witch costume in a fabric hammock. Visitors will be sure to watch their backs.
- Add a flying witch, dragon or gargoyle weathervane to your roof. These gothic creatures will be noticed every time the wind blows.
Design Haunted Paths
Often the paths that lead to nowhere are the most frightening, and you can generate a sense of mystery and curiosity for all who dare to visit.
- Along with solar garden lights, place stepping stones leading to a haunted shed or wooded area. Will anyone have the courage to walk the trail?
- Enhance your patio, deck or garden with enchanting rain chains or Corinthian wind chimes. While these outdoor accessories normally exude peace and relaxation, they will have a completely different feel on Halloween.
Once you have all of the accessories setup in your front and backyard, friends and family will be intrigued to enter, and you can sit back and watch their suspenseful reactions and paranoid behavior. Don’t forget to remind them that curiosity killed the cat!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marina Hanes is a writer and owner of Cat’s Eye Editing, LLC. She received a B.A. in Professional Writing & Editing from Youngstown State University, and her professional area of focus is Environmental Studies.
