BACKYARD HALLOWEEN MAKEOVER: SPOOKEASY LOUNGE

By Serena Appiah

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GETTING STARTED

This soccer rebounder is sponsored by Arrow Tool Group and created by Serena Appiah of Thrift Diving.
If you're looking for a unique way to decorate your outdoor space this Halloween, why not transform a bare, summer gazebo into a cozy "SpookEasy Lounge"? With custom lighting, inexpensive Dollar Tree finds, rich velvet fabrics, and a few versatile Arrow tools, you can create a cozy, inviting backyard Halloween hideaway that's equal parts spooky and sophisticated.
Whether you're decorating for family gatherings or simply want to enjoy crisp autumn evenings outdoors, this budget-friendly, creative project will breathe spooky life into your backyard!

Photo of a plain gazebo with screened in porch in Serena's backyard

Photo of a porch covered in Halloween lights and decorations in Serena's backyard. The gazebo is covered in smoke and there is a sign in the back of it that reads 'Spookeasy Lounge'/

YOU WILL NEED

Photo of various Arrow tools on a wood plank on grass including a staple gun, staples, scissors, staple remover, glue sticks, glue gun, tape measure, mini stapler, and hammer.

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STEP 9
Once the framed pegboard is securely in place, it’s time to decorate! Additional pegboard hooks can be purchased from home improvement stores or online. This is the perfect time to put your own special touch on the project.

Materials
•500-count Halloween LED lights
•Dollar Tree lace Halloween-inspired table runners
•EcoSmart LED light strip
•Arrow glue sticks
•Black spray paint
•Wood glue
•1/8" wood 
•3/4" lumber for sign frame
•1/8" frosted acrylic
•Red, black, and purple velvet fabric
•Nails, screws, or brad nails
•Optional: laser engraver or “SpookEasy” sign
•Optional: sewing machine

START BUILDING

  STEP 1

Before installing any decorations, measure your gazebo to determine how many lights you'll need and where they'll be installed.
Using an Arrow tape measure, take note of:
• The height of each post
• The distance between posts
Areas where you'd like to add lighting inside and outside the structure
Planning the lighting path ahead of time helps ensure you purchase enough lights while creating a balanced, symmetrical design.

Serena, a woman wearing a red hat, earphones, red t shirt, and pink leggings with orange sneakers, is measuring the width of her gazebo.

STEP 2

Lighting completely transforms the gazebo after dark!
To secure the light strands, use the Arrow T301 Multi-Tacker with T25 rounded crown staples. Rounded staples cradle the light wire instead of pinching it, helping protect the wiring while holding everything securely in place. Straight staples can damage low-voltage wiring.
Work your way around the gazebo, stapling lights neatly along the framing while keeping consistent spacing throughout. Here’s a tip: keep the lights plugged in and turned on while stapling them to the wooden structure so that if the wiring is accidentally damaged, you’ll know immediately so that wiring can be replaced. 

Serena, a woman in a red hat, staples string lights to the wooden top edge of her gazebo using a staple gun.

STEP 3

One of the most dramatic features of the SpookEasy Lounge is the custom lace curtains framing the gazebo—and they started with inexpensive Dollar Tree Halloween table runners. The scalloped edges are spider web and spider patterns are so fun, too!

STEP 4

By sewing several runners together, you can create lightweight curtain panels without buying expensive fabric by the yard. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you can use a dot of hot glue to secure the scalloped edges, as well.
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Overlap the scalloped edges before sewing or hot gluing to create a decorative pattern where each panel joins together. Fold the top edge over to create a reinforced section that allows the staples to grip the fabric to the gazebo securely without tearing the lace.

STEP 5

Once joined, staple the curtain panels to the gazebo using the Arrow T301 Multi-Tacker and ⅜” T50 staples, leaving slight fullness so the curtains drape naturally. Secure the gathers to the gazebo posts with ribbon and staples.

STEP 6

A custom illuminated sign creates the focal point of the entire gazebo. (You can also purchase a SpookEasy Lounge sign from Amazon or Michael’s Arts & Crafts). 

STEP 7

STEP 8

Attach the frosted acrylic behind each letter with small amounts of hot glue, being careful not to allow glue to squeeze onto the visible acrylic surfaces.

STEP 9

Install the LED strip inside the frame, positioning it directly behind the frosted acrylic for the brightest illumination. Use hot glue to add additional reinforcement to the LED strip. Position the LED strip where the best illumination is available behind the frosted acrylic.

STEP 10

Use wood glue, brad nails, or screws to attach the front and back. Finish the sign with decorative trim and any additional embellishments before mounting it inside the gazebo. This custom SpookEasy sign had wooden trim to frame out the sign, including mirror acrylic around the lettering.

﻿FINISHED PRODUCT﻿

The interior of the Spookeasy Lounge, featuring two plush chairs, a red curtain, LED candles, a purple ceiling tarp, and a beaded chandelier.

The exterior of the Spookeasy Lounge, which features LED Halloween lights.

By combining creative lighting, inexpensive materials, and versatile Arrow tools, an ordinary gazebo becomes a one-of-a-kind outdoor Halloween destination.
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Whether you're entertaining friends or simply enjoying a quiet autumn evening outdoors, this project proves that seasonal decorating doesn't have to be complicated or expensive to make a dramatic impact.
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Halloween doesn’t have to be expensive! With your Arrow T301 multi-stapler, hot glue, few Dollar Tree finds (and a smoke machine!), you can create a moody, spooky backyard Halloween SpookEasy! 
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Portrait of a smiling woman with curly dark hair wearing dangling earrings and a colorful floral sleeveless top against a light gray background.

Serena Appiah
Serena Appiah is the owner, publisher, and artist behind Thrift Diving, a blog that inspires home enthusiasts to decorate, improve, and maintain their home on a do-it-yourself budget. Her mission is to inspire people to be creative and to gain the confidence, motivation, and skills they need to not just start a project, but to finish it using paint, power tools, and thrift stores.

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