Halloween hallway ideas are climbing fast this month, and a lot of them involve fog machines, props and hanging sheets. Fun, but a lot of work in a narrow space everyone has to walk through.
The easiest version uses the photo wall that's already there. Swap three or four of your prints for vintage Halloween illustrations. Drape a black paper bat garland along the top of the frames. Turn the picture lights down. It takes fifteen minutes, and on November 1st it's back to normal in ten.
Swap three or four prints
Take out three or four photos from your gallery wall and put in vintage-style Halloween illustrations. Black cats, jack-o'-lanterns, moons and witches, in faded orange and black. Space them out across the wall rather than grouping them.
Public domain Halloween postcards and illustrations from the early 1900s are easy to find and print on matte paper.
A paper bat garland
Cut bats from black card stock using a simple template, or buy a garland. String them on thin black thread and drape along the top edge of the frames, secured with small removable hooks.
Dim the lights
If you have picture lights, turn them down or swap to warmer bulbs. A dimmer, warmer hallway feels moody immediately. Add a single candle or LED lantern on a console if there's room.
A small console vignette
If your hallway has a console, put a small papier-mâché pumpkin and a candle on it. Keep it small; hallways are for walking through.
Keep the floor clear
No props on the floor. Hallways need clear paths, especially at night and with guests arriving for Halloween.
Front door connection
If the hallway leads from the front door, a dark wreath on the door ties the outside to the inside.
Taking it down
Put the original photos back, take down the garland, and store everything in one envelope. Keep the Halloween prints flat between two pieces of card so they're ready for next year.
How to make a paper bat garland
- Print a simple bat template, about 4 to 6 inches wide, on plain paper.
- Trace it onto black card stock and cut out 15 to 25 bats. Vary the size slightly so they look natural.
- Fold each bat gently in half along the body so the wings lift a little.
- Punch a small hole at the top of each bat's body.
- Thread them on thin black thread or fishing line, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart.
- Hang from small removable hooks above the frames.
A garland long enough for a standard hallway takes about 30 minutes to make.
Other quick hallway ideas
- A black runner swapped in for October.
- Moth or bat silhouettes cut from black paper and taped along the wall above the frames.
- An old mirror with a paper bat tucked into the corner.
- Candles in lanterns on the stairs, well out of the walkway.
What it costs
- Printing four vintage illustrations: $5 to $20.
- Card stock and thread for bats: under $10.
- Removable hooks: $5.
Under $40 for the whole look.
Mistakes to avoid
- Props on the floor.
- Real candles where people walk past closely. Use LED lanterns.
- Replacing every photo. Three or four is enough.
- Scary faces where kids will walk at night.
Halloween hallway FAQ
How do I decorate a hallway for Halloween?
Swap a few photos for vintage Halloween prints, add a paper bat garland and dim the lighting.
How can I decorate a narrow hallway for Halloween?
Keep decor on the walls and above the frames, not on the floor.
Where can I find vintage Halloween prints?
Public domain postcard archives online, Etsy printables and antique stores.
Is it safe to use candles in a hallway?
Use LED candles or lanterns in walkways.
