Build a Haunted Garage for Halloween!

 Posted on October 15, 2014 in Uncategorized

Halloween is right around the corner, and one of our favorite traditions is visiting haunted houses with our children. But why, instead of going to a haunted house, don't you build one into your home? The garage, especially a detached garage, can create a horrifyingly brilliant haunted house. Today, we share tips on building a haunted house in your garage and yard.

Step 1: Clean up

No one wants a lawsuit on their hands, so make sure that anything that can actually harm someone is locked away. Start by removing cars, lawn mowers, tools, and chemicals. Clear out as much space as possible to allow for the biggest layout. If there's somewhere else you can store your stuff, move it there. If not, just put everything against the walls.

Step 2: Plan a Path

Measure out your garage, and draw out the map you plan to make of your garage. This is critical, not only in planning, but on the night of the event.

Maze Style

Use space dividers, boxes, boards, and dark sheets to create a maze-like path to the back of the garage. If you want to go all out, Fright Props provides a short guide to building tongue and groove haunted house walls that can be reused in the future.

Straight Path

A straight path is fine, so long as you create a few hidden recesses where people can hide and jump out from at unsuspecting trick-or-treaters.

Horseshoe Shape

If you have a smaller garage, the horseshoe may get the job done. Create one entrance and one exit, with hiding places.

Step 3: Get Supplies

Depending on how much you already have, this could be an easy trip to your local thrift shop, Halloween store, and hardware store.

Purchases from the Thrift Store

Get anything you can find to create the mood from your local Goodwill or Savers. It's cheaper, and you can get advice from other thrifty shoppers.

• Costumes
• Lighting (Strobe Lights, Black Lights, etc.)
• Wall Décor
• Creepy CDs
• A few scary movies for motivation.

Purchases from the Halloween Store

You may have to hit the Halloween Store for other haunted house needs, including:

• Fog Machines
• Additional Lighting
• Masks and Face Paint
• Décor

And be sure to head back after Halloween if you would like to do this again next year. Save yourself money.

Purchases from Hardware Store

Your haunted house won't be all monsters and smoke machines. You're also going to need to build some walls. The easiest way to do this is with black plastic sheeting.

• Plywood to build walls
• Plywood to build decorations
• Sheeting to cover walls
• Extension Cords
• Tape

Step 4: Start Construction and Decorate

Build your walls, hang your decorations, and add the finishing scary touches to the garage.

Set the perfect haunted mood by decorating your home in the true Halloween spirit!

• String lights with Halloween colors outside.
• Cover your furniture with white sheets, for an abandoned appearance.
• Drape mirrors with cheesecloth.
• Paint witches or hanging figures on your window shades. Backlit, and seen from the outside, they are a sign of more scares to come!
• If there are areas of the house that will be off-limits, mark them as such with police tape.
• For extra scares, have a CD player emitting screams, sighs, and moans from the cloistered area

Step 5: Recruit a Few Friends

You don't want to run this alone, and if you haven't recruited a few people to help build, you will want to recruit a few people to manage this.

You'll need at least two people to dress up in terrifying costumes and jump out of the shadows, and there's nothing better than the tried and true chainsaw-murderer and demonic vampire.

Run a Successful Show!

Now that you have your house in place, your crew briefed, and decorations in place; be sure to invite the neighborhood and leave candy at the end. For more motivation, be sure to check out the following resources:

• 11 Best Haunted Houses in America
• How to Build Your Own Haunted House

Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is all about Garages, and hopes that this provides a little bit of motivation into turning your garage into the best in the neighborhood.

If your garage looks scary-and it's not supposed to be-contact us today.