How to Turn Framed Art Into Haunted Décor for Halloween

Any old, vintage framed art can be transformed into something extra spooky.

You don't have to look very far to come up with spooky Halloween decoration ideas. If you have old artwork hidden in a corner of your attic, you can whip up an eerie craft in no time. No hidden pieces of art lying around your home? Thrift some from your local antique store to upcycle into a piece of creepy Halloween décor.

Our tutorial will show you how to paint the frame, add some ghoulish ghosts, and decorate your vintage framed art into something positively fright-worthy.

What You'll Need

Materials

  • Black craft paint
  • White craft paint
  • Small craft paint brush
  • Small painter's brush
  • Vintage framed artwork
  • Small bowls for paint

Instructions

  1. Paint the frame black

    Take your black paint, and squirt a dollop into a shallow bowl. Using your painter's brush, paint the frame of your artwork with a coating or two of black paint.

    Paint Frame Black

    Martha Stewart

  2. Paint some ghosts and other ghoulish touches

    Once your frame has dried, using your white paint and small craft paint brush, paint your ghosts directly onto the canvas (or glass, if the artwork is behind a glass frame). Add as many or as few as you would like. Use your black paint to create some eyes on the ghosts and gaping holes for mouths.

    We gave the dog in our painting fangs as well. Get creative and add your own spooky touches!

    Paint Ghost

    Martha Stewart

  3. Hang your artwork

    Once dry, hang your artwork where you would like. Leaning it against a fireplace mantel will make your new haunted artwork the focal point of any room.

    Hanging spooky decor

    Martha Stewart

  4. Set the scene with more spooky decor

    Go one step further and stretch some cobwebs over the corner of the frame, and surround it with mini pumpkins, giant spiders, and black candlesticks to complete the look.

    Spooky frame on mantle with decor

    Martha Stewart

Related Articles