How to Turn Framed Art Into Haunted Décor for Halloween

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

Updated on September 26, 2023

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

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.

Martha Stewart
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!

Martha Stewart
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.

Martha Stewart
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.

Martha Stewart