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Black Bat Bunting for a Gothic Apartment Entryway
- Attaches with Painter's tape or removable adhesive hooks
- Damage risk Low
- Best for Easiest to hang
Bat bunting is the fastest way to make an ordinary door look haunted. A garland of black paper or felt bats across the top of the frame sets the gothic tone before anyone sees the rest of the setup, and it hangs with tape.
What you will need
- A black bat garland (paper, felt or cardstock), about 6 to 10 feet long
- Low-tack painter's tape, or small removable adhesive hooks
- Scissors
- A step stool if you are hanging above reach, or a helper
How to hang it
- Decide the drape. A shallow swag across the top of the frame looks better than a straight line, so plan a high point at each end and a low point in the middle.
- Clean the spots where tape or hooks will go with a dry cloth. Dust is the main reason tape fails.
- Press a strip of painter's tape or a removable hook at each end, and one in the middle if the garland is long.
- Hang the garland on the hooks or tape it flat to the wall at each end, and let the middle sag.
- Check that no bat hangs into the door swing, over the peephole, or in front of the number plate.
Where it goes
Damage and take-down
Painter's tape is low-tack and is meant for painted walls, but remove it within a few days and peel it slowly at a low angle. Removable hooks should be pressed on firmly and left an hour before they carry weight. Take them down by pulling the tab straight down along the wall.
Mistakes to avoid
- Hanging it on a freshly painted wall. Paint under about a month old can lift with tape.
- Using a hook rated for less weight than the garland.
- Covering the peephole or the smoke detector.
Make it better
Add a few bats flying across the wall in a loose cluster, using small pieces of tape on the back. Add a row of battery LED lights behind the garland for a soft glow.
Where to buy
Amazon links; check the product page against the notes before you order.
- Removable adhesive hooks (weight rating above your item)
- Black bat garland (check the length and material)
Safety for every piece
- Check your lease and building rules. Some buildings limit what may hang in shared hallways or on doors.
- Do not cover the peephole, the number plate or the smoke detector, and keep decor off sprinkler heads and fire exits.
- Keep the walking path clear and wide enough for a wheelchair. Decor mounted between 15 and 48 inches from the floor sits within the ADA reach range, which also helps if you use a wheelchair.
- Check the weight rating on every adhesive hook before you hang a wreath or any heavier piece.