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Porch Drapes for a Gothic Halloween Front Porch
- Goes in Hung between posts
- Weather Tie back in wind
- Best for Most dramatic
Drapes between the posts turn the porch into a stage. Black lace and torn gauze move in the wind and glow when lit from behind, and they frame the door the way a curtain frames a window.
What you will need
- Black lace, gauze or tulle in wide pieces
- Black cord, ribbon or zip ties
- Clips or clothespins
- Purple or amber uplights
- A step stool
How to set it up
- Measure the gap between two posts and cut the fabric a little longer than the drop you want.
- Tear the edges so they look ragged.
- Tie the fabric to the posts or the porch beam with cord or zip ties, high enough to clear your head.
- Gather it with a tie at the side so the center stays open.
- Place a light behind the fabric so it glows at night.
- Test it from the street, and trim the hem so it stays off the ground.
Where it goes
Placement. Always leave the middle of the entrance open so the route to the door stays at least three feet wide. Hang the fabric above head height and tie it back at the sides.
Weather
Gauze and tulle catch wind and can tear or wrap onto a person. Tie it back in gusts, and take it down in a storm.
Mistakes to avoid
- Fabric that falls across the door or across the steps.
- Drapes that hang to the ground, which can catch a wheel.
- Using open flames near fabric.
Make it better
Layer lace over a dark gauze, add a few small bats in the folds and use a purple light from behind.
Where to buy
Amazon links; check the product page against the notes before you order.
- Black lace or gauze (wide pieces)
Safety for every piece
- Keep an accessible route from the sidewalk to the door at least 36 inches wide, and wider if you can. Nothing sticks out into it, no cords cross it and no stakes line it.
- Light every step edge. Fog, webs and costumes make edges hard to see.
- Use outdoor-rated lights and cords, plug them into a GFCI outlet and keep connections off wet ground.
- Keep decor off the handrail, the door, the house number and the doorbell.