[Sirmeili]

So I bought some curtains last year at Home Depot because I thought they would be great for halloween (they were on clearance). I've tried dirtying them up with absolutely no success. I even sent my two boys out in the back yard to try and dirty them up, still no success. Anyways, I'm thinking of putting them in the main opening to my porch. One small hiccup I ran across was that the curtains are only 80" tall and the opening is over 8'. I think I have a solution for that. I told my wife we should finally name our "haunt" and we can make a sign that would fill the space between the top of the curtains and the top of the porch. Figured we could add lights and stuff to it (like lighted letters).

Here is what it looks like now:

I think it looks a little odd because of the openings on either side, but I had only gotten 1 set of curtains (that's all they had). Do you all think I should continue down this path or just remove it and find another place to use the curtains?

Any other suggestions on what I could use the curtains for, or how I could improve it?

P.S. Excuse my mess, I have all the tools out putting up the bigger of the decorations before I clear out the tools and start putting out the smaller decorations.

 

[WickedWino]

I like the curtains and your idea for a sign at the top to fill in the gap. How roughed up do you want the curtains to be? I've used a metal parts cleaning brush to tear up shirts and fray cut edges. Even used a grill grate cleaning brush, with all the burnt stuff on there. You could also try staining the curtains in random spots with coffee, dry brushed paint or stain, RIT dye or india ink.

 

[Sirmeili]

I like the curtains and your idea for a sign at the top to fill in the gap. How roughed up do you want the curtains to be? I've used a metal parts cleaning brush to tear up shirts and fray cut edges. Even used a grill grate cleaning brush, with all the burnt stuff on there. You could also try staining the curtains in random spots with coffee, dry brushed paint or stain, RIT dye or india ink.

I was at first going to try for just "dirty". I honestly for some reason didn't think about "staining" it. My next attempt was going to be to start a fire in the fire pit and take soot and ash from that to dirty up the curtains. I'm not sure if I'm gonna try and actually fray the curtains.

Another thought is that at night, I may not need it or I could try putting more creepy cloth directly over it. Thanks for the suggestions though. I'm liking some of your suggestions

 

[Jenn&MattFromPA]

Hmm... I think you are heading towards the right direction, but here's how I'd tweak it a little. First, I'd hang the curtains from the top of the porch even though they aren't long enough. I'd add some simple black fabric at the bottom to make the curtains long enough to reach the floor. You could even cut the fabric into a fringe so it looks like edging. Then I'd hang the same black fabric, cut into fringe, along the other openings of your porch, but not hanging all the way down. I'd hang it more like a valance would be - hung from the top of the porch ceiling so that the fringe will blow in the breeze. Use longer strips of black fabric to tie back the curtains in the entryway - you want to make your curtains look full. I think adding some black trim will help your dark red curtains look "dirtier" during the daytime, and at night, I don't think you would really notice any details like dirt or staining - just my opinion.

I'd drape creepy cloth along the railings of your porch, hanging down the front. I'd wrap some orange, purple or green lights (your preference) into the plants along the steps, then I'd drape them in some black creepy cloth too, so the light shines from underneath.

If you want to do a sign with the name of your haunt, I'd probably hang it down from one of the openings on the side of the entryway.

These suggestions are just what I'd do with your space though. There are TONS of options! Good luck with it!

 

[oaklawn Crematory]

What is your theme?

 

[booswife02]

I love the curtains. I think your sign will be a perfect addition.

 

[booswife02]

If the open sides continue to bother you you could always do something like this with shredded trash bags on the open sides.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/392798398726958335/

 

[Sirmeili]

What is your theme?

Honestly, this year I don't have a set theme. Next year I'm thinking carnival. I was laid off in May from my job, we had our fourth kid in July, so money is super tight this year. The bad part is I have tons of time to make stuff but no money to buy supplies.. Lol.

So for this year I'm just throwing everything I have at it and seeing what sticks and looks good.

 

[Sirmeili]

If the open sides continue to bother you you could always do something like this with shredded trash bags on the open sides.
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/392798398726958335/
View attachment 252579

That is a great idea, thanks! And it will be super cheap too... Lol

 

[Grey Lady]

I love the ideas of using ashes from the fire and the trash bags!
I use a lot of spray paint, on the color you have I would probably use a light grey. Spray them when they are hanging so the 'dust' settles on the right places. Black spray paint would make them look really dirty, like your ashes idea would do.
I also use anything that will shred the fabric, ripping it by hand works great too.

 

[dawnski]

I use spray paint too on stuff I want to dirty up. And that can be rust, gray, green, black or combination of all depending on what I'm going for. Since you bought those curtains on clearance, you might decide to cut them up. I've cut up sheets and used them as bunting. Here's a couple pics. I wouldn't worry about the other two sections of your porch. You can always put lots of webbing, creepy cloth and string lights to fill up that space. The middle should stand out because that's where people are coming in. If it were me, I would raise the curtains up to the top of your porch. Then put two props on either side. Then it wouldn't matter how far the curtain goes down. Add some gray spray paint, slice the curtain up a bit and add creepy cloth and spider webbing for some added texture.