Get Decked Out for Halloween!

Whether you’re ready for a spooky night of thrills and chills or a relaxed evening with s’mores and hot chocolate, your deck is the place to be. With a chill in the air, festive party lights, and a few trick-or-treat snacks; you can enjoy a solitary night of reading Stephen King in the hammock under the stars or have a few friends over for some socially-distanced outdoor entertaining.

Make Halloween great — and enjoy celebrating on your deck year-round — with these tips.

Deck Party Planning

Make your Halloween spook-takular with this party planning list, adapted from Real Simple:

Prep for food and drink: Give away candy bags and stock up on fun Halloween favorites — just try not to eat all the Kit Kats before the first guest arrives. Make some spooky punch that’s blood-red, ghoulish green, putrid purple, or berry black, and use dry ice to create an eerie mist. Serve up something savory to offset the sugary treats.

Set the mood: Buy paper goods and decorations that reflect the season, fall colors, or festive oranges, greens, and pinks. Fake cobwebs, paper bats, colorful balloons, and plastic spiders can accent your décor. Light some fall-scented candles, but keep them away from any paper decorations!

Carve a pumpkin: Either do this ahead and line your deck up with funny faces or stock up on pumpkins so everyone can try their hand at carving.

Play some spooky music. Find a playlist on your favorite music services such as Spotify, Pandora, or Apple Music. Quintessential favorites: The Doors’ “People Are Strange,” Bobby Pickett’s “Monster Mash” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

Show a scary movie. Play a horror classic or a fun comedy such as “The Addams Family” or “Beetlejuice.” Use a waterproof television in your outdoor living space or project onto a sheet or portable movie screen.

Wear a costume: Even if it’s not a costume party, wear a silly hat or mask. Try a theme or wear a fun Halloween T-shirt or sweatshirt.

Don’t forget to take pictures. 2020 is a year, unlike any other. However, you celebrate the season, be sure to capture the memories.

Make Space Under the Deck

One way to create an outdoor oasis for fall festivities is to create an under-deck living area for all four seasons. You may not be able to accomplish this for this Halloween, but think of the possibilities for celebrations all year round!

If you’re adding a second-story deck to your home, there’s one element that will add lasting value to your outdoor living space: an under-deck drainage system. The great news is it’s an easy add-on for any deck builder — do-it-yourself or pro. 

With a drainage system in place, you can add a ceiling system/deck roof and not have to worry about waterproofing. The under-deck drainage system does all of the work, drawing away water from your decking, leaving you with dry space and many wonderful possibilities. 

The best deck drainage systems are installed above the joists. This type of system will provide 100% protection of all the joists and beams from moisture penetration. This type of system also helps to hold the screws in place longer.

Finishing Touches: Lighting 

Lighting adds ambiance to any deck, whether it’s a ground-level space, a two-story deck with lighted stairs, or a space beneath the deck. Not only does lighting take your outdoor living experience to the next level with beauty and ambiance, but your deck will also be safer, more enjoyable, and more usable year-round

If you’re looking to put up some temporary lights for Halloween, you might want to string up some fun party lights with orange, purple, and green hues. If you’ve decorated your deck with greenery, weave in some fairy lights. You might use candles of various shapes and sizes — including some that repel bugs — or use battery-powered lights shaped like candles. For drama, put a candelabra on a table.

You might also opt for a more permanent solution. Trex RainEscape’s Soffit lights, which come in bronze, black and white, can be added by any DIY homeowner or builder without an electrician. No need to split wires or create additional wiring. Plug one strand of lights to the next, much like Christmas lights. Two steel spring tension clips hold the light in place on any soffit material. With an optional remote control and dimmer, you can customize the lights for your space.  

Finishing Touches: Amenities

With dry, useable space and beautiful lighting, you can make your space even more comfortable and fun with:

• A big-screen TV, sound system, comfortable seating, and a wet bar. You instantly expand your party space by finishing the area beneath your two-story deck. Be sure to buy a weatherproof TV for outdoor use.
• A full outdoor kitchen or roll out a portable cart. Eat outside without having to worry about the forecast with your under-deck living space. Add some screening, and you won’t even have to worry about the bugs.
• Comfortable seating. Think about how you’d like to use your deck for yourself, your family, and for entertaining with friends. Instead of uncomfortable lawn chairs, maybe you need a couch and chairs with fun and functional cushions. Perhaps you’d like to add a hammock or bed-sized swing. Great seating will make you want to spend more time on the deck!

Enjoy your festivities on your deck — or under it. Happy Halloween!

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