When it comes to Halloween decorations, it sometimes seems like there are only two choices: tacky or terrifying. It’s easy to find cartoony window stickers or giant silly spider statues. It’s also easy to find decorations that are honestly just scary (Colgate Bookstore window display). So what’s a college girl to do? Especially when she only has a tiny dorm room to work with? Try our simple but fun decoration ideas if you’re trying to avoid nightmares and fire safety violation fees.
1. Orange Flameless Candles
Flameless candles are always an easy, beautiful addition to your bedroom, plus they don’t break ANY of the fire safety rules. Setting up three orange candles together on your dresser, desk, or sink counter is a subtle way to bring your room into October.
2. Painted Pumpkins
It’s hard to carve pumpkins when you live in a dorm, and you’ll be surprised to find how quickly they start to smell once you keep one inside your room. Instead, pick up some acrylic paint downtown and get crafty! One personal fave is the Candy Corn paint job – indulge in the classic Halloween treat all day without all the calories.
3. Fancier Painted Pumpkins
If Step 2 doesn’t do it for you, try metallic acrylic paint or glitter. Gold and silver pumpkins look amazing throughout all of autumn. Glitter is also a fun way to make your farmer’s market find look even better; brush a layer of white glue over the surface and then cover with glitter. Shake off the excess, then keep the pumpkins on a piece of colored paper for easy cleanup.
4. Mason Jar Jack-O-Lanterns
This is another easy and cute way to use that acrylic paint. Cover the inside or outside of a Mason jar with two coats, then use a black Sharpie to draw a face on the front. (This decoration is even better when the jars are filled with candy, so I’ve heard.)
5. Patterned Pumpkins
Use a fine-tip Sharpie to draw your own details, or use a paper doily as a stencil for black spray paint.
No mess, no smell, no frightened room guests. All of these supplies can be found in downtown Hamilton!
Shoutout to sources