Using a bit of scrap cardboard and acrylic paint you can make a creepy Halloween door warning all who approach to keep out!
Why We Love This Project
I’ve seen a lot of fun decorated doors for Halloween. I almost decorated my garage door to look like a sharp-toothed monster last year! The best part about this Halloween door was how easy it was to make. Very few supplies required meant it was inexpensive too.
Last year I hosted a pumpkin painting party for friends at my craft studio and turned my studio door into this fun Halloween Door!
How to Create Your Halloween Door
- Cut cardboard box open so that it lies flat. Use a box cutter to cut the cardboard into “planks of wood”.
- Use a large paintbrush with black paint to write KEEP on one of the planks and OUT on another. Use a lot of paint, then stand the plank upright and tap it on the work surface a few times so that the excess paint drips.
- Use a round sponge applicator and silver paint to add “nails/bolts” to the end of each plank. Dip the applicator in the paint then press onto the plank and turn and twist to create a circle.
- Let everything dry completely.
- Meanwhile, while the paint is drying, attach the black mesh or spider web to the outside of your door using tape (try to find a color that matches your door or use clear shipping tape).
- When the planks are dry, attach them over the mesh, allowing it to show through.
- Add some fun stick-on bats to the finished project!
*CAUTION – I left my door decoration up for quite a while (about two months) because I wasn’t visiting my studio daily then. When I removed the tape, it pulled the top layer of paint off the door. I assume because of the sun beating down on the tape. I recommend putting this on a storm door if you have one, or putting it up a week before Halloween then removing it right away, especially if your door gets a lot of sun like mine did!
Everyone got a big kick out of my Halloween Door! My studio was right on Main Street so there were a lot of turned heads as people went by. Lots of fun! I’ve saved the boards and will be putting this on my storm door on my house in a few weeks. Have fun and Happy Halloween!
Feel free to check out over 40 more ideas for Halloween decorations!
More Halloween decorating ideas
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Halloween Door – Keep Out
Decorate your house with a spooky Halloween Door that says “Keep Out”, warning all who approach that they don’t know what lies beyond! Fun!
Supplies
- Large cardboard box
- Black and silver acrylic craft paint
- Black creepy mesh or white spider web if you have a light colored door, use black, and vice versa
- Round sponge applicator
- Duct tape or double-sided tape *please read caution in notes!
Craft tools
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Box cutter
-
Large paintbrush
Instructions
-
Cut cardboard box open so that it lies flat. Cut box into “planks of wood”.
-
Use a large paintbrush to write KEEP on one of the planks and OUT on another. Use a lot of paint, then stand the plank upright and tap it on the work surface a few times so that the excess paint drips.
-
Use a round sponge applicator and silver paint to add “nails/bolts” to the end of each plank. Dip the applicator in the paint then press onto the plank and turn and twist to create a circle.
-
Let everything dry completely.
-
Meanwhile, while the paint is drying, attach the black mesh or spider web to the outside of your door using tape (try to find a color that matches your door or use clear shipping tape).
-
When the planks are dry, attach them over the mesh, allowing it to show through.
Expert Tips & FAQs
CAUTION – I left my door decoration up for quite a while (about two months) because I wasn’t visiting my studio daily then. When I removed the tape, it pulled the top layer of paint off the door. I assume because of the sun beating down on the tape. I recommend putting this on a storm door if you have one, or putting it up a week before Halloween then removing right away, especially if your door gets a lot of sun like mine did!
I was inspired to create this door after seeing it on Woman’s Day. This post originally appeared here on Sep 20, 2018.
