The Halloween season is the only time most people want spiders on their fireplace mantel – and the bigger, hairier and scarier, the better. Same with ghosts in the house. Usually, not so welcome. But at Halloween, ghost motifs reign supreme. Here are a few ideas for a spooky Halloween mantel for your personal haunted house.
Halloween Colors
Those who aren’t so spook-friendly can take a more understated approach by adopting Halloween colors without gruesome décor. Orange and black are the traditional Halloween colors. But royal purple has made definite inroads over the last decade. A black or purple cloth with orange and black candles is perfect for a semi-sophisticated Halloween mantel. Orange flowers are another nice touch. Perhaps a friendly bouquet of Gerbera daisies.
Natural Science
You can play off Halloween’s skeleton theme with a natural science mantel. Black or orange lace makes a suitable backdrop for fossils, rocks, snail shells and animal skulls. Add bouquets of dried flowers standing in antique bottles.
Day of the Dead
That popular Mexican celebration, Dia de los Muertos, has gained many fans north of the border. Even if you’re not Latino, you can go multicultural and embrace the idea of a Day of the Dead altar on your mantel. Necessities include decorated sugar skulls, candles and bunches of marigolds.
Vintage
Halloween has become a very popular holiday in the decorations world. This has led to the revival of all sorts of vintage Halloween pictures and ornaments. If you have an older house or love a vintage feel, decorate your mantel with reproductions of antique Halloween cat figurines, pumpkins and postcards.
Vegetables
Decorating your mantel with fall vegetables is one of the easiest and most understated ways to prepare for Halloween. Next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up a variety of pumpkins, gourds and Indian corn. Be sure to mix the size, shape and colors of your pumpkins. White pumpkins, striped and minis will give your mantel added interest.
We hope you’ll be inspired to decorate your mantel for this fun holiday. And if you’re ready to upgrade your mantel look, give your friends at Old World Stoneworks a call. Because failing to make your mantel look its best may come back to haunt you.